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Tag: Taiwan

NTU-Led Team Pioneers Operando Semiconduct

Posted on by National Taiwan University

As the semiconductor industry pushes transistors toward atomic dimensions, a long-standing measurement bottleneck has threatened progress: no reliable way to directly observe how charge carriers behave at the shrinking contact between metal and semiconductor. A research team led by Distinguished Professor Ya-Ping Chiu of the Department of Physics at National Taiwan University (NTU) has now overcome that barrier, developing a technique capable of probing a working chip at atomic-scale resolution. The findings were published in Nature on July 1, 2026 (Nature 655, 350–356).

The breakthrough centres on a method the team calls Operando Cross-sectional Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (Operando XSTM), which measures electron transport at the metal–semiconductor contact edge while the device is actually powered and operating. Drawing on nearly two decades of cross-sectional STM expertise, the team integrated functioning transistors into an ultra-high-vacuum platform, mechanically cleaved them to expose a clean cross-section, and scanned the contact region point by point under real operating voltages. This allowed the first direct measurement of the carrier transfer length—a core quantity governing contact resistance—without relying on model-based extrapolation. For a monolayer molybdenum disulphide transistor with a bismuth contact, the measured transfer length was roughly 2 nanometres, far below the 9.25 nanometres inferred by conventional models, confirming the design’s promise for next-generation technology nodes.

The achievement reflects a genuinely international, cross-disciplinary partnership. NTU developed the operando inspection platform; National Taiwan Normal University fabricated and electrically characterised the two-dimensional devices; and the National University of Singapore, led by Professor Lain-Jong Li, contributed materials, structural analysis, and simulation—forming a collaboration spanning materials, devices, metrology, and theory. Validated across multiple material systems, the platform establishes a versatile new standard for direct semiconductor inspection and underscores Taiwan’s deepening capacity to lead the frontier of advanced chip research on the global stage.

Student Ingenuity Drives NTU Racing to Win

Posted on by National Taiwan University

Experiential, project-based engineering has become one of the clearest ways for universities to translate classroom theory into real-world capability, and few programmes embody this better than student-run motorsport. At National Taiwan University (NTU), that spirit is captured by NTU Racing, a wholly student-led team that designs, builds, and tests its own electric Formula-style racecars. Its latest machine, Epsilon 6 (EP6), recently delivered the best competitive result in the team’s history, placing 11th in the electric vehicle category at Formula SAE Japan—one of Asia’s premier collegiate racing events—while also earning the JAMA Chairman Award and the Sportsmanship Award.

The road to that result was defined by pressure and problem-solving. After completing EP6 in mid-2025, the team entered Formula Student Taiwan, where rainwater breached the motor system and forced a withdrawal from the endurance race—an early but decisive lesson in waterproofing that the students corrected before travelling to Japan. There, a tougher test came off the track: inspectors initially rejected the car over safety concerns during technical inspection. Rather than accept the setback, the team drafted a formal appeal while preparing on-site modifications as a contingency. The chief judge ultimately upheld their case, allowing EP6 to compete in its original form and secure its landmark finish. For the team, the episode reflected a guiding philosophy that racing is less about building a flawless car than building the best one possible before the deadline arrives.

What distinguishes NTU Racing is a deliberately interdisciplinary and sustainable model. The team recruits students from across the university rather than engineering alone, running hands-on workshops in welding and carbon-fibre fabrication so members of every background can contribute, and it institutionalises knowledge transfer by having incoming leaders shadow veterans for months before each handover. Recently relocated to the upgraded Advanced Vehicle Research Center on NTU’s ShuiYuan Campus, the team is already developing its successor, EP7, which will advance EP6’s torque-vectoring system toward a four-wheel-drive configuration—research the students have presented at the SAE WCX 2026 World Congress. Guided by the motto “Go the extra mile,” NTU Racing offers a compelling model of how iteration, resilience, and cross-disciplinary collaboration prepare students to lead in a fast-moving global industry.

NCU Reveals the Linguistic Creativity

Posted on by NCUSEC

From socialite Lee Ching-ching, whose English-mixed speech became an online sensation, to former Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu, whose phrase, “Student by day, security guard by night,” (白天是student、晚上是security guard) sparked widespread discussion and imitation, Chinese-English code-mixing has long attracted attention in Taiwan’s online communities. A new study by National Central University (NCU) shows that such language practices extend far beyond simple code-mixing. Instead, they demonstrate how Taiwan’s online communities creatively combine multiple languages and communicative resources to engage in social interaction and commentary, reflecting the dynamic interplay between multilingualism and online discourse. The findings were published in the Applied Linguistics Review, offering new insights into Taiwan’s multilingual digital culture.

 The study was conducted by Professor Liang Mei-Ya of the Virtual Language Learning Lab, National Central University, together with student researchers Wang Chih-Cheng and Lee Shu-Ning. The researchers analyzed 15 discussion threads and 1,145 comments posted between 2019 and 2022 on six major PTT discussion boards—Gossiping, WomenTalk, Tech_Job, Soft_Job, Crosstalk, and NTU—to examine how internet users employ translanguaging strategies in online interaction and commentary.

 The researchers noted that examining translanguaging from historical, critical, and socio-political perspectives provides valuable insights into language norms, workplace hierarchies, and gender bias. The study also offers a new perspective for understanding Taiwan’s multilingual online society and the relationship between language practices and digital communication.

Publication Information

NTU and Mahidol Deepen AI Healthcare Ties

Posted on by National Taiwan University

As artificial intelligence reshapes the future of medicine, cross-border academic partnerships have become essential to turning technological promise into better patient care. On March 5, 2026, National Taiwan University (NTU) hosted a high-level delegation from Mahidol University for discussions on AI, medical research, and long-term academic collaboration. Led by Vice President Nopraenue Sajjarax Dhirathiti and comprising 12 faculty specialising in information technology and medicine, the delegation was received by NTU Executive Vice President Prof. Shih-Torng Ding and Vice President for International Affairs Prof. Hsiao-Wei Yuan, reflecting the enduring partnership between the two institutions.

Founded in 1888, Mahidol University is among Thailand’s leading universities in medicine, engineering, and health sciences, and maintains close research ties with NTU across medicine, engineering, and information and communication technology. During the visit, the delegation toured the NTU Cancer Center to observe first-hand how AI is being integrated into cancer diagnosis, treatment, and clinical care, before joining NTU’s College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science for talks on future research collaboration, interdisciplinary innovation, and talent cultivation. Both sides expressed particular interest in expanding cooperation in AI for medicine, intelligent healthcare, and digital health technologies.

Representatives from both universities framed the partnership as part of a wider global movement to fuse advanced technological innovation with medical research and healthcare delivery. By strengthening joint research initiatives and academic exchange, NTU and Mahidol aim to cultivate globally competitive talent capable of shaping the future of AI-driven healthcare—reinforcing the role of Asia-Pacific institutions in the international effort to build smarter, more equitable health systems.

NTU and SMU Expand Business Education Ties

Posted on by National Taiwan University

As higher education across the Asia-Pacific grows more interconnected, universities are increasingly building cross-border alliances to prepare students for a globalised economy. On March 13, 2026, National Taiwan University (NTU) welcomed a delegation from Singapore Management University (SMU) led by President Lily Kong—her first official visit to NTU since assuming leadership. Received by NTU President Wen-Chang Chen, the two sides discussed business education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and expanded international academic exchange, underscoring a partnership rooted in a shared commitment to cultivating globally competent talent.

Founded in 2000 and modelled on the American university system, SMU is widely regarded as one of Asia’s leading institutions in business and management education, known for interdisciplinary learning, research excellence, and close engagement with industry and the public sector. During the visit, representatives explored deeper collaboration between SMU’s business school and NTU’s College of Management, focusing on curriculum innovation, joint research, student mobility, and the potential expansion of dual-degree and collaborative academic programs.

The two universities also reflected on existing cooperation, including SMU students’ participation in NTU’s International Internship Program, with placements at organisations such as STMicroelectronics, the State of Montana Asia Trade Office–Taiwan, and Impact Hub Taipei that offer cross-cultural professional experience. Looking ahead, NTU expressed interest in deepening ties with SMU’s Global Summer Program to create reciprocal pathways for its own students in Singapore. University leaders described the partnership as part of a broader Asia-Pacific vision for higher education—one that integrates business, innovation, and international collaboration to equip students for an increasingly interconnected world.

Why Marine Heatwaves Persist

Posted on by NCUSEC

Marine heatwaves in the northwestern Pacific can persist for four to five years, making them among the world’s longest-lasting ocean warming events. A new study led by researchers at National Central University (NCU) identifies the atmospheric mechanism that sustains these prolonged extremes, challenging the long-held view that they are driven mainly by local ocean and weather conditions.

The study, led by Jin-Yi Yu, Chair Professor in NCU’s Department of Atmospheric Sciences, and Yu Zhao, a doctoral researcher at the University of California, Irvine, appears in Science Advances.

The researchers found that these long-lived marine heatwaves are closely linked to the Circumglobal Wave (CGW), a large-scale atmospheric wave pattern that circles the Northern Hemisphere through Europe, Asia, the North Pacific and the North Atlantic. Rather than isolated regional events, the study suggests that northwestern Pacific marine heatwaves are part of a cross-basin climate phenomenon connected by atmospheric teleconnections.

Drawing on more than 150 years of observations, simulations from 43 climate models and atmospheric model experiments, the team also identified a self-reinforcing feedback that helps marine heatwaves persist. Since the 1970s, stronger summertime Circumglobal Wave activity has intensified interactions between ocean basins, extending the duration of these warming events.

The findings provide a new framework for understanding persistent marine heatwaves and could improve seasonal climate predictions by enabling scientists to better forecast how long these events will last. Better prediction of prolonged ocean warming could support fisheries management, marine ecosystem conservation and climate adaptation in a warming world.

From Pharmacist to Global Biotech Leader

Posted on by Taipei Medical University

From a trained pharmacist to a former drug reviewer at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and ultimately a leader in innovative drug development, Jane Ching-Liu Jan has dedicated more than two decades to advancing Taiwan’s biotechnology industry on the global stage.

Jane Ching-Liu Jan, Distinguished Alumna of Taipei Medical University, Chairperson of PharmaEssentia

During her tenure at the FDA, Jane was directly involved in drug evaluation and regulatory review, gaining extensive insight into global regulatory standards and clinical assessment processes. This experience later became a critical foundation for establishing PharmaEssentia and shaping its international regulatory and research strategies.

One of the company’s most significant achievements was the U.S. FDA approval of Ropeginterferon alfa-2b, the world’s first long-acting interferon of its kind for the treatment of polycythemia vera (PV). This milestone not only marked a major breakthrough for the company, but also demonstrated Taiwan’s growing capabilities in innovative drug research and global regulatory advancement.

The journey of new drug development was not without challenges. Regulatory complexities, international arbitration, and market uncertainties tested both leadership and organizational resilience. Throughout these challenges, Jane and her team remained committed to scientific rigor, long-term value creation, and patient-centered innovation.

Today, her professional journey stands as a compelling example of how expertise, global perspective, and sustained commitment can enable Taiwan’s biotechnology sector to engage confidently with the international community and contribute meaningfully to global health innovation.

For more information, please refer to the original Mandarin article:

https://bookzone.cwgv.com.tw/article/34665

TMU Dean Nai-Wen Kuo Receives JHU Alumni Award

Posted on by Taipei Medical University

Dean Nai-Wen Kuo of the College of Management at Taipei Medical University (TMU) has been named a recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award by Johns Hopkins University (JHU), recognising his contributions to healthcare leadership, public health, and international collaboration.

Distinguished Alumni

The honour, one of JHU’s highest alumni distinctions, was presented during the university’s 150th anniversary celebrations in Baltimore in October 2025. It recognises individuals whose work demonstrates sustained professional excellence, public service, and global impact.

Founded in 1876, Johns Hopkins University is widely regarded as the first modern research university in the United States and continues to rank among the world’s leading institutions. In the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, it is placed 16th globally.

A graduate of JHU’s public health doctoral programme, Dean Kuo has built a career that spans academic leadership, healthcare management, and international health cooperation. He previously served as Deputy Superintendent (Administration), Taipei Medical University Hospital, and Deputy CEO of the Taipei City Hospital Administration Center, where he led system-wide initiatives in quality improvement and financial management.

At TMU, he has played a key role in advancing international engagement. During his tenure as Dean of the Office of Global Engagement (2011–2016), he expanded the university’s global academic network and established a number of cross-border collaboration and exchange programmes. He later served as Dean of the College of Public Health, strengthening partnerships with leading institutions including JHU, Yale University, and the National University of Singapore, while contributing to national health policy and research initiatives.

His work also extends to broader public health and social impact efforts, including international collaborations on epidemic preparedness and tuberculosis control in Southeast Asia, as well as nationwide initiatives in Taiwan to improve healthcare accessibility.

Reflecting on the recognition, Dean Kuo described the award as deeply meaningful, noting that his experience at Johns Hopkins shaped his professional path and inspired his long-term commitment to improving health and advancing social justice.

The recognition underscores not only his individual achievements but also the longstanding academic and public health ties between TMU and Johns Hopkins University, highlighting TMU’s continued engagement in global health, education, and research collaboration.

Trust Shapes AI Use in Nutrition Education

Posted on by Taipei Medical University

Summary

A recent study led by researchers at Taipei Medical University(TMU) examines how trust affects AI use in nutrition education, particularly the actual use of AI chatbots among dietetic students. The findings suggest that students are more likely to integrate AI tools into their learning when they perceive them as reliable and useful, highlighting the importance of building digital literacy and critical thinking skills alongside technical training in healthcare education.

AI in Nutrition Education: Why Trust Matters for Future Dietitians

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in healthcare, universities face a new challenge: preparing future professionals not only to use AI tools, but to use them wisely. For students in nutrition and dietetics, this means learning how to engage with AI chatbots and digital assistants that can provide dietary information, support clinical reasoning, and streamline learning tasks.

At Taipei Medical University, researchers set out to understand a key factor behind students’ willingness to adopt these technologies: trust. While AI tools such as chatbots are widely available, not all students choose to use them in their studies or future practice. Understanding what drives real-world adoption is crucial for designing effective digital health education.

Trust as a driver of AI adoption

The study explored how dietetic students perceive and use AI chatbots as virtual nutrition assistants. Rather than focusing only on whether students had access to AI tools, the research examined the psychological and behavioral factors that shape actual usage.

The results showed that trust plays a central role. Students who believed that AI tools were reliable and helpful were significantly more likely to incorporate them into their learning. In contrast, students who were uncertain about the accuracy or appropriateness of AI-generated information tended to use these tools less, even when they were readily available.

This finding suggests that simply introducing AI into classrooms is not enough. How students perceive these tools—and whether they feel confident evaluating AI-generated information—can strongly influence whether AI becomes a meaningful part of their learning process.

AI in nutrition education research at Taipei Medical UniversityStructural model showing key factors associated with students’ actual use of ChatGPT for learning and nutrition-related tasks.

Beyond technical skills: building critical digital literacy

The research highlights an important implication for medical and health professions education. Training future healthcare professionals to work with AI requires more than teaching them how to operate digital tools. Students must also develop the ability to critically assess AI outputs, understand limitations and potential biases, and integrate algorithmic suggestions with professional judgment.

In nutrition education, where advice can directly affect patient health, this balance is especially important. AI chatbots may offer rapid access to information, but students still need to evaluate whether recommendations are evidence-based and appropriate for individual patients.

Implications for AI-enabled healthcare education

As AI-supported systems become more common in hospitals and clinics, students who are comfortable working with digital tools—and who understand both their value and their limitations—will be better prepared for future practice. The study suggests that universities should place greater emphasis on fostering trust through transparent AI use, clear guidance on ethical and safe applications, and training that strengthens students’ confidence in navigating AI-supported environments.

By addressing both the technical and human dimensions of AI adoption, institutions like Taipei Medical University aim to cultivate healthcare professionals who can work alongside intelligent systems while maintaining professional responsibility and patient-centered care.

Look for More Information

Original Article: Trust Predicts Actual Use of AI Chatbot as a Virtual Nutrition Assistant Among Dietetic Students in Taiwan: A Path Analysis

Original Article: Trust Predicts Actual Use of AI Chatbot as a Virtual Nutrition Assistant Among Dietetic Students in Taiwan: A Path Analysis

NCU Advances Tsunami Monitoring

Posted on by NCUSEC

The magnitude 8.8 earthquake that struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on July 29, 2025, triggered a trans-Pacific tsunami and left detectable disturbances hundreds of kilometers above Earth in the ionosphere. A research team led by National Central University (NCU), including Ph.D. student Tien-Chi Liu, Professor Jann-Yenq Liu, Yushan Scholar Prof. Kenji Satake and Dr. Chun-Yen Huang of Kyoto University, successfully detected ionospheric disturbances generated by the earthquake and tsunami using data from more than 1,400 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers across Japan and Taiwan. Their findings have been published in Geophysical Research Letters.

The study represents a significant breakthrough in far-field observations. Despite the observation network being located more than 2,000 kilometers from the earthquake epicenter, the researchers successfully identified weak ionospheric signals by integrating large-scale GNSS observations with standardized data processing, ray-tracing analysis, and beamforming techniques. These methods enabled the team to reconstruct the tsunami source from subtle disturbances in the upper atmosphere.

The analysis revealed three distinct types of ionospheric waves. The first, traveling at approximately 3.6 kilometers per second, was generated directly by the seismic waves. The other two propagated at approximately 273 and 215 meters per second—velocities consistent with tsunami propagation in the ocean—confirming that tsunami-driven atmospheric waves can travel upward and produce measurable perturbations in the ionosphere detectable by GNSS observations.

The tsunami source inferred from the first ionospheric disturbance differed by only about 90 kilometers from the principal seafloor slip region independently derived from DART (Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis) pressure-gauge data by Prof. Kenji Satake and collaborators. This close agreement demonstrates that ionospheric observations can accurately identify the location of major submarine rupture and tsunami generation.

According to Prof. Jann-Yenq Liu, the ionosphere functions as a vast natural sensing network above Earth. Rapidly determining tsunami source locations and propagation directions through ionospheric observations could strengthen tsunami early-warning capabilities and improve disaster preparedness throughout the Pacific region.