Toothbrush harder to build than Mars rover part is ‘breakthrough’ in dental care, Hong Kong inventor says
- Ng Tze-chuen gained fame for his gripper tool on the Beagle 2 Mars lander, and has now co-designed a toothbrush targeting all dental surfaces
- Duo claim product can prevent gum disease
The Hong Kong inventor who created a space tool for a Mars rover has co-designed a “breakthrough” that he says can revolutionise toothbrushing.
Dr Ng Tze-chuen, honorary associate professor of the University of Hong Kong’s faculty of dentistry, and Jin Lijian, professor of periodontology, unveiled their NJ Toothbrush on Monday, which they said is the only brush in the world targeting all dental surfaces.
They have filed US and international patents and are in talks with toothbrush companies to market their invention.
Ng, a dentist by trade, found fame as the garage inventor who designed a pair of planetary rock grippers for the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Beagle 2 Mars lander.
He said the new toothbrush was a simple design but it was more difficult to make than the space tool.
“All the features have to be right in such a small space. It is more difficult than the Mars exploration tool as you can add motors and electronics, but for this one, it is all mechanical.”
