Defying conventions and pushing boundaries, this KTP Associate has invented a novel silicone composite formulation with broad applications

KTP Associate Khai D Q Nguyen 

Company FormFormForm Ltd

University partner Queen Mary University of London 

Funding from Innovate UK

Project: Mouldable glue specialist, Sugru, wanted to improve the cure chemistry of its silicone composite to extend the market for Sugru (toys, food packaging, silicone coatings) 

Sugru, whose name is derived from the Irish word for “play” was created in 2010 by a young product designer. Since then it has sold to 20 million people in 175 countries. Having won multiple awards for its innovative and sustainable consumer product (including company founder Jane ni Dhulchaotigh winning European Inventor of the Year 2018; “DIY Product of the Year in the DIY Awards 2018)i the company wanted to improve the cure chemistry of its silicone composite; this would also allow it to develop new consumer products.

About Khai Ngugen:

With a PhD in Biomaterials, Khai has made a significant impact at FormFormForm, including: 

• Identifying the potential of thiol-ene chemical coupling for the design of safe and biocompatible silicone materials and composites. His results with new super-fast curing formulations led him to identify unique aspects of this chemistry that remain unmet by other curing technologies. 
• Thinking outside the box and defying conventions. For example, Khai invented a novel formulation that has broad applications from industrial adhesives for complex applications to 3D printing of biomedical chips that can help in the search for improved diagnostics and therapeutics
• Major contributor to development and launch of a new product (Sugru Family Safe Formula) which has generated sales of over £2.5m since launch
• Troubleshooting the manufacturing line helping convert batch failure rate from 38% to <3% since implementation – preventing raw materials waste of over £17k pa. 
• Networking and generating valuable new leads and contacts leading to commercially profitable collaborations and paving the way to a significant new revenue stream for FormFornForm 
• Disseminating his extensive knowledge and training among team members at FormFormForm
• Playing a leading role in The International Rubbers Conference in 2019.

Khai D Q Nguyen is one of 18 finalists in the Future Innovator category of the 2020 KTP Best of the Best Awards:

Other Finalists:

Muddasar Anwar  Delivering innovation for Sustainable Drainage System to prevent flooding.

Blessing Mbipom Creating online learning for GPs.

Laurence Foster: Innovations to “print” structures, transforming house building.

Declan Bryans: Creating greener energy with innovations in flow batteries.

Elle Perschke: Applying B2C methodologies to launch a new product within a B2B company.

Mark Gilmore: Development of new class of greener ionic liquid, with multiple potential applications.

Khai Nguyen: Inventing a new silicone composite for consumer fixing brand, Sugru.

Swapnil Khadke: Creating new liposome formulations for application in drug delivery

Leona McGirr: Creating an Antibody Library for fully human antibodies.

Dan Hicks: Developing a new design and testing process for electric trails bikes.

Dmitry Bogachov: Advancing Materials Science for Anilox technology.

Andrew Grounds: Transforming business models for Social Enterprise.

Lyndsey McKirdy: Enhancing data science capability at Aggreko.

Jack Tallant: Transforming reporting and delivery of Charity’s activities.

Xi Liu: Using AI to develop fraud detection and prevention services for law firm.

Alex Komninos: Transforming spreadsheets in to cognitive models at IBM

Harvey Kangley: Delivering exceptional NPD for rail electrification

George Harris: Developing advanced engineering for intruder detection systems.

The Future Innovator category of the KTP Awards is supported by Ashorne Hill – a specialist training company which runs training programmes for all KTP Associates.

Want to find out more about working as a KTP Associate? More information here, and see the latest vacancies here.