TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A team from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Hsinchu has developed a new non-toxic glowing material inspired by the “Blue Tears” phenomenon in the waters around Matsu, CNA reported on Wednesday.

Blue Tears can be seen from April to June annually. It is caused by tiny organisms in the sea that glow blue when they are disturbed by waves, boats, or other movement. During this period, nutrient-rich seawater helps algae grow quickly, providing food for these organisms and causing algal blooms.

Li Ming-chia (李明家), an associate professor in the Department of Biotechnology at the university, said the material does not contain heavy metals and emits blue light when compressed or stretched. He noted that it could be used in displays, imaging sensors, and wearable devices.

Li said he led the team in embedding the material in silicone, where molecular clustering triggers blue light emission and makes the materials soft and flexible.

Li added the material can generate circularly polarized light, a key technology for next-generation 3D displays. Unlike systems that require 3D glasses, the material emits rotating light, creating more realistic images while enabling lighter devices.

In March 2025, Paul Chao (趙昌博), a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the university, led a team to develop an AI-powered system that keeps display colors accurate and brightness consistent. The system adjusts based on user behavior, room temperature, and usage time to prevent degradation over time.

In August 2024, Li led another team to create a nanocomposite hydrogel and use 3D printing to produce cell scaffolds and a human ear. The work goes beyond traditional cell culture by using new biomaterials and 3D printing to create tissue-like structures, which could reduce the need for animal testing.