The Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT) has handed out MOP350 million (US$43.4 million) in financial support to 639 projects in 2021, including AI translation software, pandemic prevention technology and health projects.
The fund management presented yesterday (Monday) its report on the works carried out last year and the action plans for 2022, underlining that applied research projects represented almost 88 per cent of all funded projects last year.
The fund also prioritised R&D projects with potential for transformation/application, with an estimated investment of around MOP50 million patacas from companies for joint R&D.
“The results of subsidized projects are gradually being applied or transformed, including self-service currency exchange machine, Chinese-Portuguese automatic translation system, cross-border e-commerce platform, nanofoam expanded clay lightweight concrete, new technology traditional Chinese medicine small RNA drug, enhanced immunotherapy with synergistic PD-1,” the fund noted.
Some projects centred on pandemic prevention are also being applied, including robots, a digital microfluidic chip for rapid detection of coronavirus, an AI COVID-19 diagnosis system and a COVID-19 nucleic acid test kit.
In February, 2020 the FDCT created a financial support program centred on the fight against covid-19.
After an evaluation, 26 projects were approved, of which 22 included higher education institutions and four from science and technology companies, involving a total investment amount of over MOP10 million.
University of Macau (UM), Xu Qingsong, a professor in the Department of Electromechanical Engineering has led a research team in developing a disinfection robot called ‘Smart Cleaner’ during the early stage of the COVID‑19 pandemic.
The robot can reduce the need for human cleaners and the risk of virus transmission, but also can ensure that disinfectant is evenly sprayed.
The fund has also supported Digifluidic Biotech Ltd, a health tech company developed by UM PhD graduates in developing a digital-microfluidic-chip-based system known as ‘Virus Hunter’ able to detect the novel coronavirus in 30 minutes.
A total of 11 partnerships were established in the Industry-University-Research Contact Scholarship Platform, while large pharmaceutical companies such as GP, China Resources Sanjiu, Xiangxue and Pientzehuang have already been introduced into the Chinese Medicine R&D Center, with these entities carrying out an investment of RMB8.8 million.
As for 2022 projects, the fund in improving two financial support schemes, namely for higher education institutions and companies; to motivate companies to invest more in research; establish two or three new scientific research platforms; promote interdisciplinary development and support R&D in collaboration with companies
Improve support for results transformation.
The FDCT plans also plan to establish a project evaluation system; continue to organize scientific research results roadshows and contact grants session; carry out co-financing with national science and technology departments; plus jointly organize seminars, training courses and other activities.
