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HKU engineering researchers develop revolutionary diamond fabrication technology

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 December 2024 – A research team led by Professor Zhiqin Chu, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, and Professor Yuan Lin, Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), has developed a groundbreaking method for massively producing ultrathin and ultra-flexible diamond membranes, in collaboration with Professor Kwai Hei Li, Assistant Professor of the Southern University of Science and Technology, and Professor Qi Wang, Professor of the Dongguan Institute of Opto-Electronics of Peking University.

HKU engineering researchers develop revolutionary diamond fabrication technology

These ultrathin and ultra-flexible diamond membranes are compatible with existing semiconductor manufacturing technologies, and thus can, in principle, be fabricated into a variety of electronic, photonic, mechanical, acoustic, and quantum devices.

The innovative edge-exposed exfoliation method discovered by the team facilitates the rapid production of scalable, free-standing diamond membranes. This approach is superior to traditional methods, which are typically time- and costly and limited in size. Remarkably, the new process can manufacture a two-inch wafer within 10 seconds, offering unmatched efficiency and scalability.

These ultra-flat diamond surfaces, essential for high-precision micromanufacturing, along with the flexibility of the membranes, open up new possibilities for next-generation flexible and wearable electronic and photonic devices. The research team envisions significant industrial applications in electronics, photonics, mechanics, thermics, acoustics, and quantum technologies.

“We hope to promote the usage of the high-figure-of-merit diamond membrane into various fields, and to commercialise this cutting-edge technology and deliver premium diamond membranes, setting a new standard in semiconductor industry. We are eager to collaborate with academic and industry partners to bring this revolutionary product to market and accelerate the arrival of diamond era,” concluded Professor Chu.

Diamonds, renowned globally as valuable gemstones, possess exceptional versatility in various scientific and engineering applications. They are the hardest natural material, boasting unparalleled thermal conductivity at room temperature, extremely high carrier mobility, dielectric breakdown strength, an ultrawide bandgap, and optical transparency spanning from the infrared to the deep-ultraviolet spectrum. These remarkable properties make diamonds ideal for fabricating advanced high-power, high-frequency electronic devices, photonic devices, and heat spreaders to cool high-power density electronic components, such as those in processors, semiconductor lasers, and electric vehicles. However, the inert nature and rigid crystal structure of diamonds pose significant challenges in fabrication and mass production, particularly for ultrathin and freestanding diamond membranes, thereby restricting their widespread usage.

The full paper can be accessed here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08218-x

About Professor Zhiqin Chu

Prof. Zhiqin Chu received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Physics from Northwest University (China) and The Chinese University of Hong Kong, in July 2008 and July 2012, respectively. After spending one year as a postdoctoral fellow in the same group, he conducted postdoctoral research at The University of Stuttgart (Germany) from April 2014 to September 2016. Since November 2018, he has been an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (with a joint appointment in the School of Biomedical Sciences) at The University of Hong Kong, and was promoted to tenured Associate Professor in November 2024. Since joining HKU, Prof. Chu has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles in journals such as Nature, Nature Communications, and Science Advances, and has filed 14 patents related to diamond technology. Prof. Chu has received multiple awards, including the Gold Medal at the 2023 International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada (iCAN), the Top 10 Best Invention Award at the 2023 iCAN, the Silver Medal at the 2022 Inventions Geneva Evaluation Days, and the Gold Medal at the 2024 International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva.

About Professor Yuan Lin

Prof. Yuan Lin earned his B.S. and M.S. in Engineering Mechanics from Tsinghua University, followed by another M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a Ph.D. in Solid Mechanics from Brown University. He joined The University of Hong Kong in 2008 and is now a full Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. His research on cell/tissue mechanics and mechanics of functional materials led to publications in top journals, including Nature, PNAS, Nature Communications, Science Advances and PRL. Prof. Lin has served as Chair of the Gordon Research Conference on Nano-Mechanical Interfaces and keynote speaker in numerous international conferences. As the PI or Co-PI, he has secured more than 15 research grants. Prof. Lin currently serves as the Secretary for the Hong Kong Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics.

Hashtag: #HKU

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48% of Singaporean Divers Unaware of Taiwan’s Dive Offerings: TTA at ADEX 2026

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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 April 2026 – Most Singaporeans have already ticked off Taipei’s night markets and Alishan’s morning mists. But the real discovery is happening 30 metres beneath the surface. At ADEX (Asia Dive Expo) 2026 in Singapore, the Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) revealed a striking finding: 48% of surveyed Singaporean divers were unawared of Taiwan’s diving offerings—and 50% have never dived its waters. (Survey conducted on-site at ADEX 2026, with over 1,000 respondents.)

Just over four hours from Changi Airport. Visa-free entry. And almost entirely unexplored by Singapore’s diving community.

To close that gap, the Taiwan Pavilion returned for its second consecutive year, transforming the Suntec Convention Centre into a gateway to Taiwan’s four major aquatic frontiers. This year’s headline act: Green Island (Lyudao)—a volcanic gem rising from the Pacific that’s still well under the radar for most Southeast Asian travellers.

Green Island: Taiwan’s Most Underrated Dive Destination

Green Island is not just another dive site. Swept by the warm Kuroshio Current, the island delivers visibility that regularly exceeds 30 metres—a “liquid glass” effect that few dive sites in Southeast Asia can match.

  • The Ancient Guardian: Divers can encounter the “Big Mushroom,” a living coral structure believed to be over 1,000 years old—a humbling reminder of what the ocean can sustain when left in peace.
  • The World’s Deepest Postbox: At the Shilang Diving Area, you can mail waterproof postcards from the world’s deepest underwater mailbox (11 metres down). It’s the kind of quirky detail that makes travel worth talking about.
  • Dive by Day, Soak by Night: Green Island is home to the Zhaori Saltwater Hot Springs—one of the rare seawater hot springs globally. Trading your wetsuit for a poolside soak at sunset is the kind of contrast that turns a trip into a story.


Xiaoliuqiu: Taiwan’s Best Island Escape Off the Clock

Floating off the coast of Pingtung, this compact coral island is one of the few places on Earth where wild sea turtles are so at home, they’ve practically become locals—surfacing beside snorkelers with an ancient calm.

  • The Locals Who Never Leave: Xiaoliuqiu hosts one of Taiwan’s densest populations of green sea turtles. With a professional dive guide leading you beneath the surface, an underwater encounter with a creature that has outlived the dinosaurs becomes less a lucky sighting and more a near-certainty.
  • Dive by Day, Own the Night: When the sun drops, Xiaoliuqiu doesn’t go quiet—it shifts gear entirely. Night ecology tours reveal a different cast of creatures, and the evening ends not at a hotel bar but around a fire with fresh BBQ seafood under a sky with almost zero light pollution. That’s the kind of night that still feels real a week later.


Penghu: The Basalt Archipelago With a Coral Heart

Anchored in the Taiwan Strait and shaped by seasonal winds that have carved its basalt coastline for millennia, Penghu delivers a version of Taiwan that feels genuinely off-script—ancient, oceanic, and spectacular on its own terms.

  • The Bridge That Crosses the Sea: At nearly 2.5 kilometres, the Penghu Cross-Sea Bridge is the kind of infrastructure that earns its own mythology. Drive it at golden hour, with open water stretching in every direction, and a standard itinerary starts to feel like an expedition.
  • Taiwan’s Best-Kept Secret Island: Huching Islet—once named one of the world’s top ten secret islands—greets visitors with towering basalt columns, cats that outnumber people, and a pace of life that has no interest in catching up with the mainland. It’s 20 minutes by boat from Magong, and a different world entirely.
  • The Double Heart in the Sea: At the southern tip of the archipelago, Qimei Island’s twin stone fish traps curve into two interlocking hearts—built centuries ago by fishermen, now one of Taiwan’s most iconic images. The rare landmark that earns its reputation without trying.
  • The Coral That Grows Back: Penghu’s coral restoration programme lets travellers do something rarer than sightseeing—actively participate in reef recovery, planting coral fragments on underwater nurseries alongside marine biologists. The most meaningful souvenir you can’t bring home.


Sustainability: More Than a Trend

With 45.8% of surveyed divers aged 25–34 expressing strong interest in eco-conscious travel, the Pavilion put sustainable diving front and centre. World-renowned underwater photographer Yorko Summer appeared alongside conservationists Peggy (TurtleSpot Taiwan) and NT (Penghu Reef Restoration) to demonstrate how Taiwan is going beyond tourism rhetoric into genuine marine stewardship—3D-printed eco-substrates, sea turtle nesting patrols, and active reef monitoring. Singaporean divers aren’t just being invited to visit—they’re being invited to contribute.

World-Class Gear, Made in Taiwan

The Pavilion also shone a light on Taiwan’s homegrown dive industry. Brands including ATMOS, 123 Underwater Lab, and DIVEVERYDAY demonstrated that the “Made-in-Taiwan” (MIT) spirit extends well beyond electronics and manufacturing—into world-class dive technology ready for Singapore’s most discerning enthusiasts.

“Taiwan offers abundant and diverse travel resources, enabling visitors to experience mountains, ocean, cuisine, and culture within a single short trip.”

— Taiwan Tourism Administration, Singapore Office

As ADEX 2026 makes clear, Taiwan’s dive scene represents one of the most significant untapped opportunities in the Singaporean travel market. For divers looking for somewhere extraordinary—somewhere most of their friends haven’t been yet, just a short flight away—the Pacific has been keeping a secret.

It’s time to dive in.

Hashtag: #ADEX2026

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BleeqUp Launches World’s First 4-in-1 Sports Camera Glasses in Singapore

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The BleeqUp Ranger debuts locally, featuring Sony 16MP imaging, open-ear audio, and optional ZEISS optics for the ultimate outdoor experience.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 April 2026 – BleeqUp, the innovator in AI-powered sports technology, today announced the official launch of the BleeqUp Ranger in Singapore. Following its global debut at IFA Berlin, the Ranger arrives as the world’s first 4-in-1 sports camera glasses to enter mass production, offering a streamlined solution for cyclists, runners, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Weighing less than 50g, the BleeqUp Ranger replaces the need for bulky action cameras, separate headphones, and communication gear. It integrates high-fidelity imaging, long-endurance battery life, and open-ear audio into a single, aerodynamic frame.

Key Highlights :

  1. Available in ZEISS Lenses: Precision-engineered for sharper visuals, reduced distortion, and enhanced contrast in varying light conditions.
  2. Sony’s 16MP Camera: Capture POV footage exactly as you see it. With 4K photos and specialized EIS stabilization, the Ranger now supports 3K at 60FPS* video recording.
  3. One-Tap AI Editing: Turn your footage into highlights automatically. Smart scene recognition and AI-driven editing make sharing your best moments faster and easier than ever.
  4. Open-Ear Audio: Stay connected to your surroundings while listening. Four speakers and wind-noise reduction keep music and calls clear, even at speeds up to 40 km/h.
  5. Real-Time Walkie-Talkie: Coordinate with your team on the move. Featuring instant group communication and a dedicated Bluetooth controller, the Ranger keeps you connected without taking your hands off the bars.

*Compatibility Note: Specific feature availability and performance may vary by device model. Please check our official website for the latest compatibility updates.

Availability and Exclusive Launch Offers

Starting April 20, 2026, the BleeqUp Ranger will be available nationwide at premium retailers including Best Denki, Courts, Singtel, Takashimaya, and Sprint-Cass (Changi Airport). For online convenience, customers can purchase the Ranger through the Shopee Official Store, Lazada Official Store, KrisShop and Decathlon Online. To celebrate the launch, exclusive perks such as a SGD 100 voucher (at Singtel) and 50% off accessories (at Takashimaya) will be available for a limited time.

Hashtag: #BleeqUp

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About BleeqUp

Founded in 2022, BleeqUp is dedicated to redefining performance and safety for outdoor adventurers. By combining advanced AI with premium optical design, BleeqUp helps athletes ride further, move smarter, and stay safer.

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Monash IVF Singapore Spotlights Male Factor Infertility for National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW)

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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 April 2026 – In conjunction with National Infertility Awareness Week (19–25 April 2026), Monash IVF Singapore, alongside partners like Fertility Support Singapore, is shifting the spotlight to a long-overlooked narrative: male factor infertility.

Monash IVF Singapore National Infertility Awareness Week

While fertility discussions often centre on women, statistics show that male factors contribute to approximately 50% of all infertility cases. Male factor infertility can arise from a range of factors, including low sperm count, reduced sperm motility, abnormal sperm morphology, hormonal imbalances, genetic conditions, or underlying medical issues. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, stress, and environmental exposures may also affect sperm quality over time.

Despite its prevalence, male factor infertility is often less discussed in Singapore, which can lead to delays in assessment and treatment. Early evaluation, including semen analysis and medical consultation, can help identify potential concerns and guide appropriate next steps for couples.

To support greater awareness, Monash IVF is launching a series of digital educational content aimed at de-stigmatising male reproductive health and providing actionable insights for men to take charge of their fertility. These resources will cover common causes of male infertility, when to seek medical advice, and the types of assessments and treatment options available. By making this information more accessible, the clinic aims to encourage earlier evaluation and more open conversations about male factor infertility, both within relationships and in the wider community.

As Singapore’s demographic landscape evolves, Monash IVF Singapore is contributing to broader discussions on reproductive health. With the national Total Fertility Rate (TFR) reaching a record low of 0.87 in 2025, the need for comprehensive and patient-centred fertility care continues to grow.

Understanding Modern Fertility Challenges: Beyond Biological Factors

The decline in fertility is not merely a biological hurdle but a reflection of the intense pressures that Singaporeans face today. The “workplace rat race”, high-stress environments, and environmental factors have contributed to a trend of delayed parenthood. Many individuals are choosing to start families later due to career progression, financial considerations, and evolving life priorities. At the same time, age remains a key factor, as both egg and sperm quality may decline over time.

As such, these same pressures do not just delay parenthood; they also make it more difficult for individuals to pursue fertility treatments in Singapore. Managing appointments, coping with the physical and emotional demands of treatment, and balancing work responsibilities can become an added strain for many.

“Fertility is often treated as a private struggle, but it is a societal challenge,” says June Jonet, Marketing and Business Development Head of Monash IVF Singapore. “We are calling for greater understanding and support within the workplace. Employees undergoing fertility treatments or preservation need an environment that recognises the physical and emotional toll of this journey, rather than one that penalises them for it.”

Monash IVF’s Approach to Assisted Reproductive Care

Monash IVF Singapore’s clinical and laboratory team is led by Chief Embryologist Ng Pei Hui, supported by a team of senior embryologists and Fertility Specialists, including Dr Kelly Loi, Dr Suresh Nair, and Dr Yap Lip Kee.

The clinic applies a range of established assisted reproductive techniques to enhance success rates, tailored to individual clinical needs. These include:

  • Piezo-ICSI: A fertilisation method that uses a blunt needle with high-speed vibration to gently penetrate eggs and assist sperm injection. It may be considered in cases involving fragile oocytes or advanced maternal age.
  • IMSI: A technique that uses high-magnification imaging to support sperm selection, enabling embryologists to identify and avoid sperm with morphological abnormalities, such as vacuoles.
  • PICSI: A method of biological sperm selection using hyaluronic acid to help identify mature sperm with a lower likelihood of DNA damage.
  • Embryoscope+: A time-lapse imaging system that continuously monitors embryo development without disrupting stable culture conditions, supporting the selection of embryos with strong developmental potential for transfer.

The Power of Planning: Fertility Preservation

Alongside treatment, Monash IVF Singapore highlights the importance of proactive planning. As more women and couples choose to delay parenthood, elective egg freezing (a form of fertility preservation) has become a vital tool. At the same time, early assessment of male factor infertility, including semen analysis, can identify potential concerns and help couples prepare more confidently.

“Even with the range of treatments available today, timing still matters,” says Chief Embryologist Ng Pei Hui. “Early consultation allows patients to better understand their options and make informed decisions.”

With infertility affecting approximately 1 in 6 individuals, it is now recognised as a relatively common medical condition rather than a rare exception. This is why at Monash IVF Singapore, fertility care is not only about addressing challenges as they arise but also about supporting early planning for both men and women. With options such as elective egg freezing, male fertility assessment, and fertility health checks, the clinic aims to help Singaporeans better understand their reproductive health and make informed decisions at different stages of their journey.

For more information about Monash IVF Singapore and what they do, visit their website.
Hashtag: #MonashIVF #malefertility #mensfertility #reproductivehealth #fertilityawareness #menswellness

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Monash IVF Singapore

Monash IVF Singapore is part of the global Monash IVF Group, a pioneer in reproductive medicine since achieving the world’s first IVF pregnancy in 1973. We provide a full suite of fertility services, combining compassionate patient care with the latest scientific breakthroughs.

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