On October 17, 2024, at The Athenee Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand, Dr. Paisan Khanchaitit, senior researcher from the National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) received the Outstanding Technologist Award for 2024 for his research project titled “Rapid Production Process of Micron-sized Needles with Customizable Features.” The award ceremony was organized by the Thailand Management Association (TMA) in collaboration with the Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Technology under the Patronage of His Majesty the King.
Another finalist for the Outstanding Technologist Award for the year 2024 is Dr. Anchalee Manonukul, from National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), NSTDA. She presented her research project titled “Production Process of Open-Cell Pure Titanium Foam Using a Suspended Substance Coating Process on Polymer Foam Prototypes and Technology Transfer for Commercial Production.”
During the event, Dr. Somboon Sahasithiwat, Executive Vice President of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Dr. Uracha Ruktanonchai, Executive Director of NANOTEC, and Professor Siwaporn Meejoo Smith were present to congratulate the award recipient.
The selection process for the Outstanding Technologist Award and the New Technologist Award is conducted annually to motivate the numerous talented researchers and technologists in Thailand. This initiative encourages collaboration to advance Thai technology, enabling it to compete effectively in both industrial and commercial sectors.
Dr. Paisan’s research on micron-sized needles is a transformative innovation for the healthcare industry. His work with microneedles—needles measuring in micrometers—significantly alters the landscape of medicine and healthcare. These needles are extremely small, measuring only one-tenth the width of a human hair, with tips fine enough to penetrate the skin’s surface to deliver essential substances without causing pain, creating wounds, or leaving marks.
The development of microneedles addresses the needs of both the medical field and consumers, particularly those who wish to avoid traditional syringes, such as individuals with a fear of needles or those requiring frequent vaccinations or medications. However, a major challenge to the industrial application of this technology lies in the complexity and cost of the current production process. Producing small needles in large quantities, quickly and with micro-level precision, necessitates specialized technology. Therefore, overcoming production challenges has become a pivotal step in bringing microneedle technology to practical use.
Dr. Paisan’s research on the rapid production process of micron-sized needles with customizable features represents a significant advancement in enhancing the manufacturing process. This innovation enables faster production, greater quantities, and the ability to tailor the properties of the needles as required. The new manufacturing technology not only increases production speed by up to 25 times compared to traditional methods but also offers flexibility in customizing the shape, size, length, density, and other characteristics of the needles. This capability facilitates the design of microneedles for specific applications, such as delivering pain relief medications, skincare substances, or light and electrical waves into the body, as well as for measuring biomarkers in patients.
Moreover, this technology is conducive to industrial production, enabling the mass manufacturing of microneedles in a short timeframe while ensuring high quality and compliance with ISO 13485 standards, which is an international standard for medical devices.
One of the innovations of this microneedle technology is “Microspike Technology,” which refers to the production of microneedles on material sheets. Microspike Technology can be effectively applied to develop a range of products, including cosmetics, medical devices, and skincare items, such as microneedle patches for delivering pain relief medications, anti-wrinkle sheets, or devices for delivering skincare substances that penetrate the skin without causing pain or leaving marks. Additionally, it holds potential for future developments, such as measuring biomarkers within the body or delivering vaccines.