On May 20, Ming Chi University of Technology (MCUT) held a signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Thilium Japan and Thilium Thailand, marking a significant step forward in strengthening technological integration and innovation in the field of advanced materials. This collaboration not only showcases MCUT’s robust capabilities in material science and technology, but also symbolizes Taiwan’s academic efforts to connect with the global industrial landscape.

Earlier in February, a delegation organized by MCUT’s Office of Research and Development led a team of professors to exhibit four of the university’s cutting-edge technologies at the 2025 Japan Energy Week in Tokyo. During the event, MCUT engaged in in-depth technical exchanges with several Japanese companies, laying the groundwork for future collaboration. Through the facilitation and active support of Formosa Plastics Japan’s New Energy Biotech Corporation, a trilateral partnership was successfully initiated with Thilium companies in Japan and Thailand, focusing on aerogel technology.

This joint development project will center on two key goals: enhancing the high-temperature resistance of aerogels and developing high-temperature aerogel encapsulation materials. The technical team consists of faculty from both the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Materials Engineering at MCUT. Through this international collaboration, the university aims to deepen its research capabilities and accelerate the practical application of the technologies.

In his remarks during the ceremony, MCUT President Dr. Tsu-Hua Liu emphasized the university’s long-standing commitment to research and industry-academia collaboration, as well as its dedication to fostering global connections. He noted, “Each of us is a crew member aboard Spaceship Earth. Through international collaboration, we hope to take our technologies beyond Taiwan and onto the world stage.”

Mr. Shinichi Kitamura, CEO of Thilium Japan, also expressed strong support for the partnership, stating that the Japanese side looks forward to working closely with Taiwan’s academic community to advance aerogel technology, potentially extending its applications into space technology. Meanwhile, Mr. Supan Yodyingyong, CTO of Thilium Thailand, praised MCUT’s dedication to innovation and international engagement, which he observed even in student project teams. He expressed high hopes for a long-term collaboration with the university.

The signing of this MOU marks a major milestone in MCUT’s pursuit of global partnerships in academia-industry research. The university hopes this initiative will inject new momentum into its on-campus research environment and further propel its vision of international technological collaboration.

Source: Industry-University Cooperation Center