National University of Singapore's Kang Lifeng shows a sample of a microneedle patch that his team of researchers have pioneered at the university in Singapore on September 11. The microneedle patch, made up of dozens of needles 600 microns long (0.6 millimetre) and half as wide, can deliver encapsulated dosages of drugs into the bloodstream through the skin painlessly, as compared to injections.

According to Kang, the innovation, which is awaiting clinical trial, can be used potentially for cosmetic and skincare purposes to deliver collagen to inner skin layers, as well as non-invasive administration of drugs such as painkillers and insulin for patients in homecare settings. Reuters/Edgar Su