VISTEC currently has four focus areas that are fully coaligned with the 40 Key Technologies for the Future as identified by the OECD:

Materials

Energy

Biotechnology

Information Science

Our research explores frontiers in science to make new discoveries. We also employ engineering approach to create prototypes, and to optimize and scale up processes.

By combining blue sky research with consideration-of-use, VISTEC aims to develop science and technology that is relevant to industry and society. In today’s scientific world, the gap between basic research and technology development is much narrower than it was in the past. At VISTEC, we are focused on “use-inspired” frontier research. Our goal is to create technologies that add value and solve practical problems impacting the economy, environment and society.

Research Highlights

Material Science

Our cutting-edge material research programs emphasize the development of advanced catalysts for cleaner, more efficient industrial processes and for converting CO2 to high value-added chemicals; stimuli-responsive nanomaterials with applications spanning from drug delivery to corrosion protection; self-healing materials; advanced adsorptive materials for cleaning up toxic wastes; organic-inorganic hybrid materials for energy devices and separation/purification membranes; and novel semiconductors for next-generation high-efficiency lighting and solar cells.

Energy Science

The Centre of Excellence for Energy Storage Technology (CEST)’s research programs focus on developing and manufacturing innovative batteries and supercapacitors and scaling up towards commercialization. We have received large funding through the triple helix model – university, government, and industry – to deliver energy technologies for real use and scale-up manufacturing. 

Biotechnology

We leverage our core competency in biotechnology—biocatalysis, directed evolution, and bioprocess engineering—to convert agricultural, industrial, and food wastes to biochemicals and biofuels using our Integrated Zerowaste Bioconversion Technology. Our circular economy approaches are implemented at various sites throughout Thailand. In collaboration with a leading Thai company, we use Synthetic Biology to create whole-cell biocatalysts to convert abundant and inexpensive biomass feedstocks to valuable chemicals. Using biosensors and bio-detection technologies, we are creating prototypes for the detection of infections (such as COVID-19), NCD diseases, and toxicants such as pesticides in food and environmental samples. 

Information Science

To drive Thai society into the modern economy based on digital innovations, our informatics research programs encompass scalable data systems, computer vision, networking, robotics, and brain-computer interfaces. We apply our unique expertise to many industries in Thailand, digitizing their operations with advanced automation and machine intelligence.

In a short period since its establishment in 2015, VISTEC has demonstrated its ambition and capability to punch above its weight in research, education, and innovation. We will continue on our mission to cultivate future leaders in science and technology, pioneer frontier research, and raise the competitiveness of Thailand through the creation of knowledge and innovations.