CellNet blood filtration technology wins two 2026 innovation awards

CellNet, a blood filtration technology from Sangtech Lab Inc. and Taiwan Textile Research Institute, won a 2026 Edison Silver Award and a place on the R&D 100 list. The recognition highlights a water-free, solvent-free process that aims to improve blood filtration while cutting manufacturing emissions and resource use.

Why it matters: - CellNet combines blood filtration performance with a cleaner manufacturing process, which could reduce water use, solvent exposure and carbon emissions in medical-device production. - The technology targets leukoreduction, a critical step in transfusion safety that removes harmful blood components while preserving usable blood cells. - The awards add outside validation for a process designed to make blood filtration more sustainable without sacrificing performance.

What happened: - CellNet, developed by Sangtech Lab Inc. and the Taiwan Textile Research Institute, won the Silver Award in the Energy & Climate Resiliency category at the 2026 Edison Awards. - CellNet was also named one of the 100 leading innovations in the Process/Prototyping category of the 2026 R&D 100 Awards. - The technology was presented in June 2026 at the 39th International Society of Blood Transfusion World Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. - The research involved National Taiwan University, National Taiwan University Hospital and Taipei Medical University. - Professor Thierry Burnouf, a transfusion science expert, was part of the research team.

The details: - CellNet uses a patented supercritical carbon dioxide process to modify blood-filter fiber surfaces without water or chemical solvents. - Conventional blood-filter manufacturing typically relies on substantial amounts of water and chemical solvents to make fibers blood-compatible. - In fresh human whole-blood testing presented at ISBT 2026, CellNet removed more than 99.99% of leukocytes. - The same testing showed 91% to 95% red blood cell recovery. - CellNet removed 70% to 83% of storage microparticles linked to transfusion-related inflammatory reactions. - The technology maintained stable blood quality after 35 days of refrigerated storage, with hemolysis remaining below the applicable regulatory limit. - The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of National Taiwan University Hospital under IRB No. 202504050DINA. - The CellNet process uses no chemical solvents and no water. - The process can reduce concerns about solvent residues and leaching. - Compared with conventional processes, the CellNet process can cut its carbon footprint by about 90%. - The R&D 100 Awards recognized CellNet for its “High-Purity, Water-Free, Solvent-Free Fiber Surface Functionalization” process. - The Edison Awards recognized the technology for its contribution to energy and climate resiliency. - Sangtech Lab focuses on research, design, engineering and manufacturing of blood-related medical devices.

Between the lines: - The dual awards suggest the market is rewarding medical technologies that pair clinical utility with environmental gains. - The results also point to pressure in medtech to reduce water and solvent use in manufacturing while meeting strict blood-safety standards. - The long development timeline, spanning decades, shows how difficult it can be to commercialize cleaner manufacturing methods for highly regulated health products.

What's next: - Sangtech Lab is likely to use the awards to strengthen awareness of CellNet among blood-product manufacturers, hospitals and research partners. - Further clinical, regulatory and manufacturing steps will determine whether the technology moves from research validation toward broader adoption. - Sangtech Lab said the recognition reinforces its commitment to continue advancing the technology for Taiwan and beyond.