Professor Ken Tye Yong
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Professor Ken Tye Yong

FRSN, FIEAust, FRSC, FInstP, FRSB, FRAS, FIMMM, FOSA
Associate Dean (External Engagement), Faculty of Engineering
Professor, School of Biomedical Engineering
Professor Ken Tye Yong

Ken-Tye Yong is a Professor in the School of Biomedical Engineering and he also serves as the Associate Dean for External Engagement in the Faculty of Engineering at University of Sydney. His role focuses on the leadership and management of external engagement activities and programs at the faculty level. He is a member in the management committee of the Warren Centre and the Centre aims to promote excellence-engineering innovation in industry, government, and academia.

Ken-Tye earned his PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering from State University of New York at Buffalo, USA. During his postdoctoral training at the Institute of Lasers, Photonics and Biophotonics at SUNY Buffalo, he worked extensively on synthesis and applications of nanomaterials. Prior to be an academic staff at Nanyang Technological University, he was a Samuel Stroum AACR research fellow, studying nanomedicine field where he engineered multimodal nanoprobes for pancreatic cancer detection and targeted gene and drug delivery therapy. Ken-Tye Yong was previously the Provost's Chair in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, the Director of the Centre of Bio-Devices and Signal Analysis, and Program Director of Nanoelectronics Centre of Excellence at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

Ken-Tye has published more than 250 international journals papers and constantly given invited and keynote talks. He is listed as the highly cited researchers in his research field. Ken-Tye’s research group interests include engineering nanomaterials for biophotonic and nanomedicine applications, nanotoxicity and pharmacokinetics of nanomaterials, fabricating miniaturized microdevices for biological applications, designing nanosensors for biodetection, modelling of microfluidics and plasmonic sensor systems, creating devices for nanophotonics studies, applying triboelectric nanogenerator for drug delivery applications, the developing of RNA delivery platform based on conjugated oligoelectrolytes and applications of wearable technologies.

Ken-Tye is the recipient of Beilby Medal and Prize for his research work in using quantum dots and metal nanoparticles for nanomedicine, of Rosenhain Medal and Prize for his pioneering work in designing TENG devices, 2D materials, and AIE nanoparticles for biophotonics and of Distinguished Lecturer Award from IEEE Photonics Society for his technical and entrepreneurial contributions to nanobiophotonics. He is also the recipient of the Faculty Award for Exceptional Achievements and International Recognition in Research and Early Career Teaching Excellence at NTU, and NTU Long Service Award. He was named as the Outstanding Faculty Member in the College of Engineering at NTU. He served as the Chair of the Environmental Sensing Technical Group for the Optical Society of America (OSA). Ken-Tye is the Fellow of Optical Society of America, Fellow of Royal Society of New South Wales, Fellow of Engineers Australia, Fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry, Fellow of Royal Society of Biology, Fellow of Institute of Physics, Fellow of Materials, Minerals and Mining, and Senior Member of IEEE.

Ken-Tye’s team has received major grants to support technology transfer of his research work into commercial applications and he is actively working with industries and government agencies to explore new avenues for several of his inventions. His team has developed ultrasensitive portable microfiber sensor device to detect and monitor the contaminants in drinking water and this invention has won the Gold Medal in the 70th International Trade Fair Ideas - Inventions New Products (iENA), the 46th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva and recognition from MIT Technology Review. Ken-Tye is the co-founder of two start-ups and is a passionate advisor and mentor to entrepreneurial students.

Ken-Tye has always been fascinated with new scientific discoveries of stars and galaxies. During his stay at NTU, the course he offered every semester, Astronomy: Stars, Galaxies and Cosmology, has attracted more than eight hundred students to register and participate. Ken-Tye continues to be engaged in astronomical society and stargazing activities.

For more information on Professor Ken Tye Yong's research, please see the Biophotonics and MechanoBioengineering Lab page.

- Fellow, Royal Society of New South Wales (FRSN)

- Fellow, The Institute of Engineers Australia (IEAust)

- Fellow, The Optical Society of America (OSA)

- Fellow, Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM)

- Fellow, Institute of Physics (FInstP)

- Fellow, Royal Society of Biology (FRSB)

- Fellow, Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC)

- Member, Advisory Board, Chemical Society Reviews (RSC)

- Long Service Award, NTU, 2020

- Highly Cited Researhers, PLOS BIOLOGY, JPA Ioannidis, 2020

- 2019 Outstanding Reviewers for Chemical Society Reviews, 2020

- Provost's Chair in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, NTU, 2019

- Highly Cited Researhers, PLOS BIOLOGY, JPA Ioannidis, 2019

- Outstanding Faculty Member, College of Engineering, NTU, 2018

- Gold Medal, The 70th International Trade Fair Ideas - Inventions New Products (iENA), 2018

- Gold Medal with Jury's Commendation, 46th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, 2018

- Distinguished Lecturer Award, IEEE Photonics Society, 2018

- Rosenhain Medal and Prize, Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), 2018

- Beilby Medal and Prize, Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), 2017

- Graduate, NTU Leadership Academy, 2016

- Faculty Award for Early Career Teaching Excellence, NTU, 2015

- Samuel Stroum - American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Fellowship Award, 2008

- SUNY Visionary Innovator Award, University at Buffalo, 2007

- Member, Tau Beta Pi, The National Engineering Honor Society, 2001

Biomedical engineering and technology, Water and the environment, Materials and structures
Project titleResearch student
Novel Bilirubin measuring and monitoring devices using advanced lightwave technology for better neonatal jaundice treatmentMingqian CHEN
Wearable Sensor-based Filtered Sunlight for Monitoring and Treatment of Neonatal Jaundice: A Multi-Pronged Approach to Developing a Low-Cost Monitoring and Treatment DeviceKarchung KARCHUNG
Sensing Polarization with Chromophores and NanoparticlesYun Peng LI
Advancing Microfluidic Technologies for Applications in Chemical Synthesis Biosensing and Microphysiological SystemsZhenxu YANG

Publications

Journals

  • Lin, X., Zhang, Y., Li, J., Oliver, B., Wang, B., Li, H., Yong, K., Li, J. (2025). Biomimetic multizonal scaffolds for the reconstruction of zonal articular cartilage in chondral and osteochondral defects. Bioactive Materials, 43, 510-549. [More Information]
  • Li, Z., Lv, T., Yang, Z., Zhang, W., Yin, M., Yong, K., An, Q. (2024). 3D microprinting of QR-code integrated hydrogel tactile sensor for real-time E-healthcare. Chemical Engineering Journal, 484, 149375. [More Information]
  • Moeinzadeh, H., Yong, K., Withana, A. (2024). A critical analysis of parameter choices in water quality assessment. Water Research, 258, 121777. [More Information]

Conferences

  • Yong, K. (2019). Biophotonic Imaging and Sensing. 24th Microoptics Conference (MOC 2019), Toyama: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). [More Information]
  • Yap, S., Chan, K., Chien, Y., Yong, K. (2019). Factors influencing metal binding efficiency at solid/liquid interface: An investigation for the prediction of heavy metal ion sensing performance. 2019 IEEE International Conference on Sensors and Nanotechnology, SENSORS and NANO 2019, Piscataway: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). [More Information]
  • Chan, K., Yap, S., Yong, K. (2019). Solid state carbon dots-based sensor using optical microfiber for ferric ion detection. 2019 IEEE International Conference on Sensors and Nanotechnology, SENSORS and NANO 2019, Piscataway: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). [More Information]

2025

  • Lin, X., Zhang, Y., Li, J., Oliver, B., Wang, B., Li, H., Yong, K., Li, J. (2025). Biomimetic multizonal scaffolds for the reconstruction of zonal articular cartilage in chondral and osteochondral defects. Bioactive Materials, 43, 510-549. [More Information]

2024

  • Li, Z., Lv, T., Yang, Z., Zhang, W., Yin, M., Yong, K., An, Q. (2024). 3D microprinting of QR-code integrated hydrogel tactile sensor for real-time E-healthcare. Chemical Engineering Journal, 484, 149375. [More Information]
  • Moeinzadeh, H., Yong, K., Withana, A. (2024). A critical analysis of parameter choices in water quality assessment. Water Research, 258, 121777. [More Information]
  • Gu, J., Yang, C., Xu, G., Xu, Z., Liu, Q., Tang, S., Zhang, W., Xie, S., Chen, X., Chen, J., Yong, K. (2024). Building a Better Silver Bullet: Current Status and Perspectives of Non-Viral Vectors for mRNA Vaccines. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 13(3), 2302409. [More Information]

2023

  • Das, C., Yang, F., Yang, Z., Liu, X., Hoang, T., Xu, Z., Neermunda, S., Kong, K., Ho, H., Ju, A., Yong, K., et al (2023). Computational Modeling for Intelligent Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor Design and Experimental Schemes for Real-Time Plasmonic Biosensing: A Review. Advanced Theory and Simulations. [More Information]
  • Fan, M., Feng, G., Xia, L., Zhang, Y., Liu, M., Li, Z., Jiang, Y., Yang, C., Law, W., Yong, K., et al (2023). Controlling the Energy Relaxation: Organic Doping in AIEgenNanoparticles for Highly Enhanced Intravital Two-Photon Imaging. Advanced Optical Materials. [More Information]
  • Lin, Z., Tsai, T., Yu, K., Nien, Y., Liu, R., Liu, G., Chi, P., Fang, Y., Ko, B., Law, W., Yong, K., et al (2023). Creation of Chitosan-Based Nanocapsule-in-Nanofiber Structures for Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic Drug Co-Delivery and Their Dressing Applications in Diabetic Wounds. Macromolecular Bioscience, 23(10). [More Information]

2022

  • Xu, Z., Jiang, Y., Shen, Y., Tang, L., Hu, Z., Lin, G., Law, W., Ma, M., Dong, B., Yong, K., et al (2022). A biocompatible photosensitizer with a high intersystem crossing efficiency for precise two-photon photodynamic therapy. Materials Horizons, 9(4), 1283-1292. [More Information]
  • Li, Z., Feng, G., Zhai, P., Jiang, Y., Fan, M., Zhao, C., Xu, Z., Wang, X., Ying, M., Yong, K., et al (2022). A biocompatible ratiometric fluorescent nanoprobe for intracellular hydrogen sulfide accurate detection based on rare earth nanoparticle. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 280. [More Information]
  • Zhang, L., Wan, C., Su, J., Zhang, C., Wei, S., Tian, W., Liu, X., Cheng, W., Li, X., Li, X., Yong, K., et al (2022). A dual-crosslinked self-healing and antibacterial nanocellulose hydrogel for monitoring of human motions. Materials and Design, 215. [More Information]

2021

  • Han, W., Yin, M., Zhang, W., Liu, Z., Wang, N., Yong, K., An, Q. (2021). Acid-Resistance and Self-Repairing Supramolecular Nanoparticle Membranes via Hydrogen-Bonding for Sustainable Molecules Separation. Advanced Science, 8(23), 2102594. [More Information]
  • Xu, Z., Jiang, Y., Fan, M., Tang, S., Liu, M., Law, W., Yang, C., Ying, M., Ma, M., Dong, B., Yong, K., et al (2021). Aggregation-Induced Emission Nanoprobes Working in the NIR-II Region: From Material Design to Fluorescence Imaging and Phototherapy. Advanced Optical Materials, 9(20), 2100859. [More Information]
  • Wu, N., Wang, X., Das, C., Ma, M., Qiao, N., Fan, T., Zhang, H., Xu, G., Yong, K. (2021). Bioengineering applications of black phosphorus and their toxicity assessment. Environmental Science: Nano, 8(12), 3452-3477. [More Information]

2020

  • Kang, L., Das, C., Liu, D., Chen, M., Coquet, P., Hong, G., Yong, K. (2020). A Comparative Performance Evaluation of 2D Nanomaterials for Applications in Plasmonic Biosensing. Physica Status Solidi A: Applications and Materials Science, 217(17), 2000255. [More Information]
  • Yap, S., Chien, Y., Chan, K., Yeh, C., Zhang, G., Jiang, J., Chuan, T., Yong, K. (2020). A First Study of the Kinetics of Metal Ion Adsorption at Solid/Liquid Interface Using Evanescent Wave-Based Optical Microfiber. IEEE Sensors Journal, 20(16), 9162-9169. [More Information]
  • Das, C., Ouyang, Q., Dinh, X., Coquet, P., Yong, K. (2020). A theoretical insight into the use of anti-reflective coatings for the upliftment of sensitivity of surface plasmon resonance sensors. Optics Communications, 458, 124748. [More Information]

2019

  • Chan, K., Yang, C., Chien, Y., Panwar, N., Yong, K. (2019). A facile synthesis of label-free carbon dots with unique selectivity-tunable characteristics for ferric ion detection and cellular imaging applications. New Journal of Chemistry, 43(12), 4734-4744. [More Information]
  • Panwar, N., Song, P., Yang, C., Chuan, T., Tung, Y., Yong, K. (2019). A sheathless inertial focusing technique for optofluidic devices. Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, 23(9), 107. [More Information]
  • Chien, Y., Chan, K., Anderson, T., Kong, K., Ng, B., Yong, K. (2019). Advanced Near-Infrared Light-Responsive Nanomaterials as Therapeutic Platforms for Cancer Therapy. Advanced Therapeutics, 2(3). [More Information]

2018

  • Huang, X., Yong, K., Yoo, S. (2018). A method to process hollow-core anti-resonant fibers into fiber filters. Fibers, 6(4), 89. [More Information]
  • Zhang, X., Ji, W., Yap Hui Kit, S., Wang, G., Zhang, Y., Yong, K., Chuan, T. (2018). A Novel Structure of Microfiber-Based Sensor for Onsite/in-Situ Detection of Heavy Metal Ions. 2018 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Pacific Rim, CLEO-PR 2018; Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC, : Springer International Publishing AG.
  • Yap, S., Chien, Y., Tan, R., Bin Shaik Alauddin, A., Ji, W., Chuan, T., Yong, K. (2018). An Advanced Hand-Held Microfiber-Based Sensor for Ultrasensitive Lead Ion Detection. ACS Sensors, 3(12), 2506-2512. [More Information]

2017

  • Song, P., Kuang, S., Panwar, N., Yang, G., Tng, D., Tjin, S., Ng, W., Majid, M., Zhu, G., Yong, K., et al (2017). A Self-Powered Implantable Drug-Delivery System Using Biokinetic Energy. Advanced Materials, 29(11), 1605668. [More Information]
  • Loo, J., Yang, C., Tsang, H., Lau, P., Yong, K., Ho, H., Kong, S. (2017). An Aptamer Bio-barCode (ABC) assay using SPR, RNase H, and probes with RNA and gold-nanorods for anti-cancer drug screening. Analyst, 142(19), 3579-3587. [More Information]
  • Panwar, N., Song, P., Yang, C., Yong, K., Chuan, T. (2017). An optofluidic approach for gold nanoprobes based-cancer theranostics. Microfluidics, BioMEMS, and Medical Microsystems XV, United States: SPIE. [More Information]

2016

  • Wang, Y., Zhang, Y., Qu, W., Yong, K. (2016). Bessel beam superposition based on annular reflections. Optik/ Optics: International Journal for Light and Electron Optics, 127(21), 10158-10162. [More Information]
  • Yang, C., Panwar, N., Wang, Y., Zhang, B., Liu, M., Toh, H., Yoon, H., Chuan, T., Chong, P., Law, W., et al (2016). Biodegradable charged polyester-based vectors (BCPVs) as an efficient non-viral transfection nanoagent for gene knockdown of the BCR-ABL hybrid oncogene in a human chronic myeloid leukemia cell line. Nanoscale, 8(17), 9405-9416. [More Information]
  • Hu, R., Yong, K., Qu, J. (2016). Dark-field imaging tracking of BSA stabilized gold nanorods in macrophage. 11th Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Pacific Rim (CLEO-PR 2015), Washington DC: OSA (Optical Society America). [More Information]

2015

  • Yin, F., Yang, C., Wang, Q., Zeng, S., Hu, R., Lin, G., Tian, J., Hu, S., Lan, R., Yoon, H., et al (2015). A light-driven therapy of pancreatic adenocarcinoma using gold nanorods-based nanocarriers for co-delivery of doxorubicin and siRNA. Theranostics, 5(8), 818-833. [More Information]
  • Hu, R., Yang, C., Wang, Y., Lin, G., Qin, W., Ouyan, Q., Law, W., Nguyen, Q., Yoon, H., Wang, X., et al (2015). Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) dye loaded polymer nanoparticles for gene silencing in pancreatic cancer and their in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility evaluation. Nano Research, 8(5), 1563-1576. [More Information]
  • Liu, Y., Song, P., Liu, J., Tng, D., Hu, R., Chen, H., Hu, Y., Tan, C., Wang, J., Liu, J., et al (2015). An in-vivo evaluation of a MEMS drug delivery device using Kunming mice model. Biomedical Microdevices, 17(1). [More Information]

2014

  • Lin, G., Ding, Z., Hu, R., Wang, X., Chen, Q., Zhu, X., Liu, K., Liang, J., Lu, F., Lei, D., et al (2014). Cytotoxicity and immune response of CdSe/ZnS Quantum dots towards a murine macrophage cell line. RSC Advances, 4(11), 5792-5797. [More Information]
  • Gong, T., Goh, D., Olivo, M., Yong, K. (2014). In vitro toxicity and bioimaging studies of gold nanorods formulations coated with biofunctional thiol-PEG molecules and pluronic block copolymers. Beilstein journal of nanotechnolgy, 5(1), 546-553. [More Information]
  • Lin, G., Yang, C., Hu, R., Chen, C., Law, W., Anderson, T., Zhang, B., Nguyen, Q., Toh, H., Yoon, H., et al (2014). Interleukin-8 gene silencing on pancreatic cancer cells using biodegradable polymer nanoplexes. Biomaterials Science, 2(7), 1007-1015. [More Information]

2013

  • Tng, D., Song, P., Hu, R., Lin, G., Yong, K. (2013). A sustainable approach to individualized disease treatment: The Engineering of a multiple use MEMS drug delivery device. 2013 IEEE 5th International Nanoelectronics Conference (INEC 2013), Singapore: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). [More Information]
  • Song, P., Tng, D., Hu, R., Lin, G., Meng, E., Yong, K. (2013). An electrochemically actuated MEMS device for individualized drug delivery: An in vitro study. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 2(8), 1170-1178. [More Information]
  • Liu, J., Erogbogbo, F., Yong, K., Ye, L., Liu, J., Hu, R., Chen, H., Hu, Y., Yang, Y., Yang, J., et al (2013). Assessing clinical prospects of silicon quantum dots: Studies in mice and monkeys. ACS Nano, 7(8), 7303-7310. [More Information]

Selected Grants

2025

  • Establishing international consortium for high-performance metallic hydride in hydrogen storage, Wu C, Yong K, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation/International Hydrogen Research Collaboration Program

2024

  • Single-molecule Manipulation and Interaction Facility (SMIF), Ju A, Kabakova I, Van Oijen A, Baker M, Wickham S, Spenkelink L, Gu Z, Su Q, Shen Y, Qiao R, Cheng W, Davis T, Yong K, Eggleton B, Morsch M, Australian Research Council (ARC)/Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF)
  • Enhancing plant production in the Mekong Delta, Yong K, Net Zero Institute/NZI Alliance for Impact