4

NURTURING
HOLISTIC
ENGINEERS,
IMPACTING LIVES

NUS ENGINEERING
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
9 Engineering Drive 1
Level 7, Dean’s Office
Singapore 117575

www.eng.nus.edu.sg

Follow us on NUS.ENGINEERS
ANNUAL
REPORT 2018
3 NUS ENGINEERING
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
VISION
A great engineering school that
innovates for a better future

MISSION
To nurture holistic engineers and to address
global challenges through research,
innovation, inspiration and influence.
 A WORD FROM THE DEAN A WORD FROM THE DEAN 03

A WORD FROM
Other technological solutions that have Back home, I am also proud of how students
attracted keen industry interest include a and faculty members rallied to raise over
technique for fabricating the world’s first S$29,000 for the Faculty of Engineering-

THE DEAN multifunctional

As we look back at 2018, I am delighted to share with
you the highlights of what our Faculty has managed
to accomplish in just a short year. In these pages, we
celebrate the ingenuity, passion and dedication of our
researchers, teachers and students, who continue to lead
the way in making positive and lasting impact on the
world.
Over the past few years, we have made bold, strategic
changes to our curriculum to prepare our students for the
challenges of tomorrow’s workplace, so that they might
thrive as leaders, innovators and problem-solvers. Our
vision and initiatives were affirmed in a Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT) report, which recognised
NUS among the world’s top 10 universities in engineering
education, and the only university outside of US and
northern Europe to feature.
Transforming the educational experience for our students
require the assiduous efforts of dedicated teachers, and
several of our educators were recognised at NUS’ Annual
Teaching Excellence Awards. Furthermore, four of them
joined the honour roll for demonstrating consistent and
sustained excellence in teaching, each having won the
award three times.
We took a significant step towards enhancing our
engagement with industry and policy-makers by holding
our inaugural Industry Day, which showcased exciting
new technologies developed by our researchers. In what
would become an annual event around different themes,
polyethylene
aerogel
terephthalate
from recycled
(PET). Our
researchers also addressed issues of humidity
and heat in the tropics by creating a hydrogel
that dehumidifies and cools without consuming
energy. A novel approach to wirelessly deliver
light deep within the human body has opened
a whole new dimension to the potential use of
targeted Photodynamic Therapy for treating
cancer of the inner organs, including brain and
liver cancer.
The outstanding quality of research by
our teams was lauded by the Institution of
Engineers Singapore (IES), which awarded them
top honours in three different categories at the
Prestigious Engineering Achievement Awards
2018. Likewise, Assistant Prof Zhao Dan from
our Department of Chemical and Biomolecular
Engineering was presented with the Young
Researcher Award at NUS’ University Awards
2018, in recognition of his exceptional work in
advanced porous materials and membranes.
Internationally, our colleagues continue to
dominate the list of NUS researchers in the 2018
Highly Cited Researchers report published by
Clarivate Analytics, with 14 faculty members
among the 30 from NUS. Meanwhile, multi-
award winner Professor Wang Chi-Hwa from
our Department of Chemical and Biomolecular
Soon Fatt to a new Vice-Dean (Industry) portfolio, with the
Engineering added one more accolade to his
specific aim of fostering our collaborations with industry.
fêted career when he received the 2018 Shell
Thomas Baron Award in Fluid-Particle Systems.
A shining example of such partnerships is the founding
In addition, Assistant Professor Elita Li from
of the S$70 million Applied Materials-NUS Advanced
the Department of Civil and Environmental
CEE Department Bursary. Our alumni also
supported us generously – the Class of 1984
gave over S$35,000 towards financially needy
engineering undergraduates, as did the
Mechanical Engineering Class of 1988, which
contributed S$150,000 to establish an endowed
bursary. We are deeply appreciative of Provost
Professor Ho Teck Hua’s donation of S$250,000
towards a scholarship and we are grateful to
Mr Hoong Yik Luen for his S$50,000 gift, which
sponsored the Rising Tech-China study trip for
our undergraduates.
What we have achieved in the past year
underline the commitment to excellence on the
part of everyone in the Faculty, as well as the
unflagging support of our stakeholders. The
various external validations also make clear that
we are moving in the right direction to deliver
on our mission and to excel in our core activities
of teaching and research.
I thank our staff, students and supporters for
their dedication to our Faculty and look forward
to another year where we will continue to build
on the solid foundations we have put in place to
make NUS Engineering a transformative place
for all.
Professor Chua Kee Chaing
Dean

we look forward to expanding and strengthening our ties
with companies and the government, to partner us in
translating our research into practice and useful outcomes,
as well as to better integrate industry experiences for our
students. We also recently appointed Professor Yoon
A WORD FROM
Materials Corporate Lab. Jointly established by American
Engineering, was conferred the J. Clarence
giant Applied Materials, Inc. and NUS, the lab will explore
Karcher Award, which recognises young
new materials and processing techniques to bring about
geophysicists who have made significant
the next breakthrough in semiconductors.
contributions to exploration geophysics.

02 NUS ENGINEERING
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
 FACULTY BOARD FACULTY BOARD 05

OUR DEAN & VICE DEANS OUR HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS

& PROGRAMMES

Professor James Goh Professor Liu Bin Professor Quek Ser Tong
Professor Chua Kee Chaing Dr Chau Fook Siong Associate Professor Lanry Yung Head Head Head
Dean Associate Dean Vice-Dean Department of Biomedical Engineering Department of Chemical & Department of Civil &
NUS Engineering Administration Undergraduate Programmes Biomolecular Engineering Environmental Engineering

Professor John Thong Professor Andrew Lim Professor John Wang

Professor Lim Teng Joon
Vice-Dean
Graduate Programmes
Head Head Head
Professor Teo Kie Leong Associate Professor Christina Lim
Department of Electrical & Department of Industrial Systems Department of Materials Science &
Vice-Dean Vice-Dean Computer Engineering Engineering
Engineering & Management
Research & Technology External Relations & Outreach

Professor Gregory Chirikjian Dr Alberto Corrias Associate Professor Loh Ai Poh

Head Director Director
Professor David Chua Professor Yoon Soon Fatt Department of Mechanical Engineering Engineering Scholars Innovation & Design Programme
Vice-Dean Vice-Dean (E-Scholars) Programme
Student Life, Alumni & Development Industry

04 NUS ENGINEERING
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
 FACULTY BOARD

FACULTY
On 1 August 2017, NUS Engineering established its Faculty Advisory Board.
Its role is to:
• Advise on strategic directions of NUS Engineering

ADVISORY • Advise and assist in outreach to industry, public and professional bodies to

EDUCATION
advance engineering research and education

BOARD
• Advise and assist in promoting engineering as an exciting, appealing and
meaningful career
• Act as honorary ambassadors to promote NUS Engineering’s interests and
perspectives to industry and government networks

Mr Peter Ho (Chairman)
Chairman, Urban Redevelopment
Authority, Senior Advisor
Centre for Strategic Futures, Strategy
Group, Prime Minister’s Office
RESEARCH
Dr Cheong Koon Hean Mr Gan Seow Kee
ENTERPRISE
Chief Executive Officer Chairman & Managing Director
Housing and Development Board (HDB) ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd

Mr Edwin Khew Prof Low Teck Seng Mr Quek Gim Pew

Immediate Past President Chief Executive Officer Chief Defence Scientist
The Institution of Engineers, National Research Foundation (NRF) Ministry of Defence (MINDEF)
Singapore (IES)

Mr Seah Moon Ming Mr Russell Tham Dr Raj Thampuran

Chairman President Managing Director
SMRT Corporation Ltd New Enterprises and Ventures, Agency for Science, Technology and
Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd Research (A*STAR)

06 NUS ENGINEERING
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
 HIGHLIGHTS
NUS ACES RANKINGS GLOBALLY AND IN THE REGION
2018 saw NUS consistently scoring accolades on both
regional and global fronts. Besides being placed 10th in
the latest Reuters Top 75: Asia Pacific’s Most Innovative
Universities rankings to become the only Singapore
university to clinch a spot in the top 10 universities list, NUS
also topped the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia-Pacific
University Rankings for the second consecutive year since
the category’s introduction in 2017.
In addition, NUS was ranked 15th globally and 1st in Asia in
the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings
2018. The ranking not only represented an improvement of
four places on the global level, it also placed NUS in the top
one per cent of the world’s top universities.
Notably, four NUS Engineering subjects – namely Civil and
Structural Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering,
Chemical Engineering, and Electrical and Electronic
08 NUS ENGINEERING
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
Engineering – were also ranked among the Top 10 QS World
University Rankings by Subject 2018.
MIT RECOGNISES NUS’
EFFORTS IN NURTURING
HOLISTIC ENGINEERS
In the recent Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
published “Global state of the art in engineering education”
report, which looked at worldwide trends in the rapidly
changing engineering education landscape, NUS was
the only university outside US and Northern Europe to be
featured among the world’s top 10.
NUS not only ranked alongside MIT, Stanford and Cambridge
in the list, but was also one position ahead of Cambridge.
At a time when widespread global changes are challenging
the conventional engineering education landscape, this
achievement affirmed NUS Engineering’s holistic approach
to engineering education – training engineers with strong
technical skills and the creativity and innovativeness needed
to tackle complex social, economic and environmental
problems of the 21st century.
HIGHLIGHTS
GLOBAL RECOGNITION FOR NUS ENGINEERING RESEARCH
Fourteen NUS Engineering researchers have been
recognised in the annual global list of “Highly Cited
Researchers 2018” released by Clarivate Analytics. The
scientific papers of these faculty members were consistently
ranked in the top one per cent most cited for a particular
subject field and year of publication.
Researcher Scientific Area
Professor Ang Beng Wah
Economics &
NUS Industrial Systems Engineering &
Business
Management
Professor Neal Chung Tai-Shung
Cross-Field
NUS Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Professor Ge Shuzhi Sam
Engineering
NUS Electrical & Computer Engineering
Professor Lee Jim Yang Materials
NUS Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Science
Associate Professor Praveen Linga
Engineering
NUS Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Professor Lim Chwee Teck
NUS Biomedical Institute for Global Health
Cross-field
Research and Technology
NUS Biomedical Engineering and NUS
Mechanical Engineering
Professor Liu Bin
Cross-Field
NUS Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
NUS ENGINEERING RESEARCHERS HONOURED AT
IES PRESTIGIOUS ENGINEERING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2018
After a rigorous round of judging by a panel of experts,
five NUS Engineering projects stood out from 27
submissions to bag the The Institution of Engineers,
Singapore (IES) Prestigious Engineering Achievement
Awards 2018. The projects scored in areas including
resourcefulness in the planning and solving of design
problems; pioneering use of materials and methods;
innovations in planning, design and construction; and
unique aspects and aesthetic values.
09
The number of faculty members identified in 2018 is more
than double that of 2017, and makes up almost half of
the 30 NUS researchers listed. In addition, out of the six
researchers who had made the list before, five were named
for the third consecutive year. Five NUS Engineering
researchers were also acknowledged in the new cross-
field category introduced to distinguish researchers with
substantial influence in several fields.
Researcher Scientific Area
Dr Liu Liang
Cross-field
NUS Electrical & Computer Engineering
Professor Seeram Ramakrishna Materials
Science
NUS Mechanical Engineering
Associate Professor Xie Jianping
Chemistry
NUS Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Associate Professor Yan Shuicheng
Engineering
NUS Electrical & Computer Engineering
Computer
Associate Professor Zhang Rui
Science &
NUS Electrical & Computer Engineering
Engineering
Professor Zhang Yong
Cross-Field
NUS Biomedical Engineering
Assistant Professor Wesley Zheng
Guangyuan Chemistry
NUS Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Of the five winning projects, “4-IN-1 Smart Utilities Plant
tailored for tropics”; “Low Motion Semi: A next-generation
revolutionary semi-submersible” and “Renewable air
filters from regenerating molecular building blocks”
came in tops in the Applied Research and Development
category while “Soft hybrid surgical gripper for delicate
tissue manipulation” and “A 16-channel capacitive
sensor interface circuits for physical signals monitoring”
were recognised under the Technology Innovation and
the Young Creators Award categories respectively.
 SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT ON EDUCATION 11

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING Fruit Wine

Featured Student: Neo Zheng Jie Reo

From left: Neo Zheng Jie Reo (Chemical
Engineering), Ng Cui Xian Joyce This team accepted the challenge to create wine from everyday fruits such as
(Common Engineering), Tan Gee Teng
mangoes, pineapples and lemon zest. Equipped with S$10 and the necessary
Ryan (Mechanical Engineering) and Ijaz
Ahmed Navas (Electrical Engineering) knowledge in chemical engineering, the team purchased fruits from the
completed their Engineering Principles supermarket, put their ingredients into a vessel and created fragrant, sweet-
& Practice (EPP) modules and shared tasting fruit wine.
about their experiences with EPP, their

EXPERIENCING REAL-LIFE
lecturers, classmates and their thoughts
on the future of other experiential
learning modules
ENGINEERING FROM DAY 1 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING Robo Pet

An innovative, hands-on introduction to engineering Featured Student: Ijaz Ahmed Navas

When engineering students first step into a university, they typically expect a timetable filled with lectures, tutorials and
assignments. After all, the key components of engineering – science and mathematics – are complex subjects that require
deep study.
However, the traditional engineering education – where the early semesters are spent in the classroom solving physics and
mathematics problems – can easily discourage and frustrate students who are eager to “do engineering”.
How EPP is changing engineering education
To familiarise freshmen with real-world engineering from their very first semester, our Engineering Principles & Practice (EPP)
modules invite students to explore key concepts through hands-on practical sessions. The modules teach students just enough
about each topic to spark an interest in learning more, before granting students the freedom to embark on challenges that can
only be successfully completed through a combination of teamwork, creative thinking, experimentation and study.
EPP modules were introduced in AY2016/2017 to freshmen from NUS Electrical & Computer Engineering, as well as Mechanical
Engineering, before being rolled-out faculty-wide to other NUS Engineering programmes in AY2017/2018.
Taking their inspiration from real pets, the team behind the adorable robo
pet engineered their project to behave like a real pet. The students designed
robo pet to follow its owner around the home, manoeuvring to wherever
its owner walks. Owners can also clap their hands to send robo pet into an
energetic dance routine, complete with twirls and pirouettes.
An engaging, practical introduction to engineering
Relating directly to his EPP project, Ryan said the work deepened his fascination with engineering – particularly the intelligence
used to create his team’s autonomous car. He tells us, “I see this functionality being adapted by corporations like Grab, who
are looking to build their own autonomous road vehicles. Projects like this give me the belief that I can contribute positively to
society after graduating.”
Speaking about his experience with EPP so far, Ijaz relates, “EPP is the perfect way of introducing people to engineering. It
provides us with an overview of what we can expect in years 2, 3 and 4 of our courses, and through the lab sessions, we recognise
why these topics are important in real-life situations.”

Reo agrees, saying, “The main focus of EPP is experiential learning, and lecturers really help to instil these lessons by sharing
Student experiences
personal experiences from their engineering careers and linking it to what we’re learning.”
We spoke with four students who recently completed their EPP modules, and learnt about their experiences with EPP, their
lecturers, classmates and their thoughts on the future of other experiential learning modules.
EPP teaches the “intangibles”
The students also agree that EPP provides valuable lessons outside of engineering. Because of the flexible nature of the lab
sessions and design projects, students naturally discover the value of teamwork, learning from peers and being open to new
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Autonomous Car ideas. The lab sessions also bring lecturers into close proximity with students, who appreciate the warmer and more personal
nature of relationships between EPP lecturers and students.
Featured Students: Ng Cui Xian Joyce | Tan Gee Teng Ryan
The future of EPP

SPOTLIGHT OF
The autonomous car is an intelligent, self-driving car that is capable of finding While the students agree that the lab-style teaching philosophies of EPP may not directly translate to every other subject in the
its way around a track without human intervention. This nimble creation is curriculum, they do appreciate how NUS Engineering is already implementing EPP’s key concept – experiential learning in real-
capable of navigating through sharp turns, finding its way around roadblocks world engineering contexts – into other modules, further enhancing the learning experience at the university.
and even making U-turns as it drives itself to its destination.
For prospective students who may be intimidated by the image of a “traditional” engineering environment, Joyce has assuring
words, “3 hours of lab sessions may sound like a lot, but EPP has been a pleasant surprise. It’s fun, light-hearted and helps us

10
to realise the practical applications of everything we’ve studied in the years before university, and everything we’ll learn in the
years ahead.”
NUS ENGINEERING
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
 RESEARCH
PDT CAN NOW TREAT MORE THAN SURFACE CANCERS
Professor Zhang Yong and Assistant Professor John Ho from
NUS Biomedical Engineering and NUS Electrical & Computer
Engineering respectively have developed a way to wirelessly
deliver light into deep regions of the body to activate light-
sensitive drugs for photodynamic therapy (PDT), a powerful
light-induced cancer treatment.
Currently, PDT offers a precision approach to cancer therapy
that overcomes many of the whole-body side effects of
classical drugs such as chemotherapy. Besides shrinking
or destroying the tumours by damaging blood vessels in
the tumour and preventing the cancer cells from receiving
necessary nutrients, PDT may also activate the immune
system to attack the tumour cells. However, PDT has been
limited to the treatment of surface cancers with a depth of
less than a centimetre due to the low penetration of light
through biological tissue. Thus, for PDT to be used on organs
such as the brain or liver, they have to be surgically exposed.
The NUS Engineering team’s wireless approach of light
delivery enables PDT to be used on the inner organs of
the body with fine control. This approach of inserting a tiny
wireless device – weighing 30 milligrams and measuring
15 cubic millimetres in size at the target site – and using
a specialised radio-frequency system to wirelessly power
the device and monitor the light-dosing rate, enables
photosensitisers to be activated through thick tissues
MORE EFFECTIVE DISEASE DIAGNOSIS
WITH HELP OF MICROFLUIDIC CHIP
Professor Zhang Yong from NUS Biomedical Engineering
and his team have developed a tiny microfluidic chip that
could detect minute amounts of biomolecules without the
need for complex lab equipment.
Disease diagnostics involve detection and quantification
of nano-sized bio-particles such as DNA, proteins, viruses,
and extracellular vesicles. Typically, colorimetric assays or
fluorescent labelling with a primary and secondary antibody
are used along with complex optical detection equipment
for disease detection. In recent times, label-free techniques
have gained traction. However, this approach requires
engineering of nano-features into a detection chip, optical
setups, nano-probes and amplifications to achieve sensitive
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detection of biomarkers.
NUS ENGINEERING
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
RESEARCH 13
WATER-BASED COOLING TECHNOLOGY DISRUPTS
TRADITIONAL AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM
Unlike vapour compression air-conditioners which release
hot air to the environment, it discharges a cool air stream
that is less humid than environmental humidity. In addition,
the system uses water instead of chemical refrigerants such
as chlorofluorocarbon and hydrochlorofluorocarbon for
cooling – making it safer and more environmentally-friendly.
The system also generates potable drinking water while it
cools ambient air. About 12 to 15 litres of potable drinking
water can be harvested after operating the air-conditioning
system for a day. Furthermore, the air-conditioning system
Assistant Professor John Ho (left) and Professor Zhang Yong is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, portable and
developed a technology to wirelessly deliver light into deep
customisable for all types of weather conditions.
regions of the body to activate light-sensitive drugs. This
potentially enables use of PDT in treating a wider range of
cancers, such as brain and liver cancer. The research team is currently refining the design of the
air-conditioning system to improve its user-friendliness.
inaccessible by direct illumination (more than three The NUS researchers are also working to incorporate smart
centimetres), and deliver multiple controlled doses of features such as pre-programmed thermal settings based
light to suppress tumour growth. This opens up treatment on human occupancy and real-time tracking of its energy
possibilities for a wider range of cancers including brain and efficiency. The team hopes to work with industry partners
liver cancers. to commercialise the technology.
Findings of the NUS Engineering team’s study were
published in the scientific journal “Proceedings of the
The NUS Engineering research team led by Associate
National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)” on 29 January 2018.
Professor Chua Kian Jon Ernest from NUS Mechanical COOL SOLUTION WINS ACCOLADES
Engineering has pioneered a new water-based air-
conditioning system that cools air to as low as 18 degrees Associate Professor Chua Kian Jon Ernest won the
Celsius without the use of energy-intensive compressors World Society of Sustainability Energy Technologies
(WSSET) Innovation Awards 2018 for Energy Efficiency
and environmentally harmful chemical refrigerants. This
technology potentially replaces the century-old air-cooling with his next generation of counter-flow dew-point
principle used in modern-day air-conditioners. evaporative cooler in August 2018. The accolade
Comparatively, the NUS Engineering research team’s affirmed his achievements in new sustainable
biochip, which weighs only 500 milligrams and is 6 cubic technologies.
Current air-conditioning systems require a large amount of
millimetre in size, can sensitively detect proteins and nano-
energy to remove moisture and cool the dehumidified air.
sized polymer vesicles with a concentration as low as 10 Associate Professor Chua subsequently went on to bag
With the new system, an innovative membrane technology
nanogram per millilitre (150 picometre) and 3.75 microgram the Best Paper Award at the Institute of Electrical and
is first used to remove moisture from humid outdoor air.
per millilitre respectively. Furthermore, detection can be Electronics Engineers (IEEE)-organised International
The dehumidified air is then cooled via a dew-point cooling
performed using standard laboratory microscopes. Conference on Green Energy for Sustainable
system that uses water as the cooling medium. The system
Development (ICUE2018) held in Phuket, Thailand in
consumes about 40 per cent less electricity than current
The research team published their findings in scientific October 2018.
compressor-based air-conditioners used in homes and
journal “Nature Communications” on 28 March 2018.
commercial buildings.
Professor Zhang Yong and his team are currently developing
this technology for commercialisation. They are working on
a portable smartphone-based accessory and microfluidic
pump to make the whole detection platform portable for
outside laboratory disease diagnostics.
 RESEARCH
THE ONE HYDROGEL WITH MANY APPLICATIONS
Assistant Professor Tan Swee Ching (extreme left) and his team members from NUS Materials Science & Engineering Dilip Krishna Nandakumar,
Sai Kishore Ravi, and Zhang Yaoxin have invented a water-absorbing gel that harnesses humidity for various practical applications.
The water-absorbing gel developed by Assistant Professor
Tan Swee Ching and his team from NUS Materials Science &
Engineering could prevent walls from turning mouldy, make
waiting at bus stops during hot days more comfortable, as
well as act as a sun or privacy screen, conductive ink and a
battery.
Absorbing atmospheric water up to 2.5 times its weight and
performing at least eight times better than commercial drying
agents like silica gel, the hydrogel is suitable for both indoor
and outdoor applications, and is also cheap and easy to
produce. In addition, the hydrogel can be easily coated onto
walls, windows and even decorative items for dehumidifying
purposes and to remove moisture from ambient air for a
cooling effect.
When used in a smart window, it blocks sunlight and lowers
ambient temperatures in enclosed space by over seven
degrees Celsius. The hydrogel also doubles up as a privacy
screen when it turns opaque after taking in water from the
14
environment.
NUS ENGINEERING
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
Another application of the hydrogel is as a conductive ink
on printed circuit boards in electronic devices. The hydrogel
can be erased easily with common solvents such as vinegar,
allowing for reuse of circuit boards and reduction of electronic
waste. The hydrogel also has the capability to function as an
electrolyte in an electrochemical cell which produces 0.9 volts
of electricity per cell.
Originally supported by NUS and the Singapore Ministry of
Education, the NUS Engineering research team has recently
received funding from Temasek Foundation Ecosperity to
test the hydrogel application on a larger scale in both indoor
and outdoor spaces. Assistant Professor Tan Swee Ching and
his team also expect to advance applications for the different
properties of the hydrogel.
The team has filed a patent for their invention and published
their research findings in the scientific journal “Energy &
Environmental Science”.
RESEARCH
ONE STEP CLOSER TO SOLVING GLOBAL WASTE PROBLEMS
NUS Engineering researchers found a way to turn plastic bottle
waste into ultralight PET aerogels for applications such as heat
insulation and carbon dioxide absorption. From left: Research
Engineer Khac Duyen Le, final year undergraduate Ryan Leung
Hoe Inn, Professor Nhan Phan-Thien and Associate Professor
Duong Hai Minh from NUS Mechanical Engineering; and Dr
Xiwen Zhang from SIMTech, A*STAR.
NUS Mechanical Engineering researchers, Associate
Professor Hai Minh Duong and Professor Nhan Phan-Thien,
and their research teams have not only come up with a
simple, cost-effective and green method to convert plastic
bottle wastes into polyethylene terephthalate (PET) aerogel
sheets for reproduction into other uses, but also found new
use for old clothes by turning disused cotton fabrics into
highly compressible and ultra lightweight multifunctional
cotton aerogels.
Plastic waste is toxic and non-biodegradable. Such waste
often ends up in oceans and landfills, affecting marine life
and causing problems such as groundwater contamination
and land scarcity.
In response to the environmental challenge, the NUS
Engineering research team collaborated with Dr Xiwen Zhang
from the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology
(SIMTech) under the Agency for Science, Technology and
Research (A*STAR), to recycle plastic bottles into the world’s
first PET aerogels.
The PET aerogels are soft, flexible, durable, light and easy to
handle. They also demonstrate superior thermal insulation
15
and strong absorption capacity. These properties make them
attractive for applications such as insulating heat and sound
in buildings, cleaning oil spills, and as a lightweight lining for
firefighter coats and carbon dioxide absorption masks used
during fire rescue operations and fire escape.
The researchers have filed a patent for their PET aerogel
technology, and will continue to enhance the aerogel’s
performance and explore new applications. They are also
looking to work with companies to bring the technology to
market.
In another research, Associate Professor Duong Hai Minh,
Professor Nhan Phan-Thien and their research team
developed cotton aerogel pellets, which can be used to
control bleeding from gunshots or other life-threatening
wounds, from disused cotton fabrics.
Present haemorrhage control devices comprise a syringe
filled with small capsules of cellulose-based sponge, which
when inserted into the wound and released expands and
applies pressure on the wound to stop blood flow. With the
cotton aerogel pellets developed by the NUS Engineering
team, each pallet can expand to 16 times its size in 4.5
seconds – absorbing more blood at a speed that is three
times faster than existing pellets.
Concurrently, the researchers worked with DSO National
Laboratories to develop thermal jackets for military canteens.
The jacket, which weighs about 200 grams, comprises cotton
aerogel sandwiched between neoprene and polyester
fabrics. Compared to commercial insulated Floe bottles and
vacuum flasks which are heavier and more costly, this cotton
aerogel-insulated military canteen offers comparable, if not
superior, heat insulation performance.
“These cotton aerogels can be fabricated within eight hours
– about 20 times faster than current commercial fabrication
processes. They are also strong, making them suitable
for mass production. The team will continue to explore
new functions for this advanced material,” said Associate
Professor Duong Hai Minh.
The NUS Engineering researchers have also filed a patent
for the cotton aerogels, and are exploring opportunities to
commercialise the technology.
 RESEARCH
A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO PRODUCING AMINO ACIDS
Associate Professor Yan Ning (middle) and his team developed a sustainable approach that can produce a series of amino acids from grass,
straw and wood chips.
Associate Professor Yan Ning from NUS Chemical &
Biomolecular Engineering and his team have made a
research breakthrough in the production of amino acids –
including leucine, alanine, aspartic acid and phenylalanine
– from woody biomass derivatives such as grass, straw and
wood chips from agricultural waste.
Amino acids are the building blocks for protein biosynthesis
and have wide-ranging industrial applications, including food
for humans, animal feed, and precursors for biodegradable
plastics, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. However
despite their widespread application, amino acids are
traditionally produced through microbial cultivation which
is costly, time consuming and involves extensive separation
processes.
Comparatively, the new sustainable approach is faster and
cheaper. Instead of using microorganisms or bacteria that
require strict sterile conditions for converting glucose into
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amino acids, agricultural wastes are used as raw material.
NUS ENGINEERING
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
ENTERPRISE 17
STAR SETS TO ADVANCE SINGAPORE’S POSITION
IN THE SATELLITE APPLICATION INDUSTRY
On 25 January 2018, NUS Engineering and the DSO National
Laboratories (DSO) jointly launched the Satellite Technology
and Research Centre (STAR). The new centre, supported by
the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), aims to
be a leader in advanced distributed small satellite systems.
In line with the shift towards small satellites – no more
than 20 kilogrammes – in the recent years, the new state-
of-the-art centre will develop cutting-edge capabilities in
distributed satellite systems, with a focus on flying multiple
small satellites – each weighing less than one tenth of
conventional satellites – in formation or a constellation.
The new centre will also train undergraduates and graduate
students to meet the manpower needs of Singapore’s
Professor Low Kay Soon (far left) sharing the process of developing the
fledgling space industry. Furthermore, through working with small satellite with DSO CEO Mr Cheong Chee Hoo (far right);
industry players, both established companies and new start- Senior Deputy President and Provost Professor Ho Teck Hua (middle)
ups, STAR will deepen its capabilities and foster partnerships and NUS Engineering Dean Professor Chua Kee Chaing (second left).
essential to building a vibrant indigenous high-tech satellite
industry.
ABOUT STAR
Key Thrusts of STAR
EDUCATION
Located within the Singapore
The centre will nurture a new generation of
Wind Tunnel Facility on NUS Kent
trained engineers who can contribute to
The woody biomass left behind after the glucose extraction Ridge campus
Singapore’s aerospace industries.
can also be further processed into products such as pulp and
paper.
RESEARCH
1,400 square metres facility
Researchers at STAR will conduct research
Apart from publishing research findings in the “Proceedings
in mission design using a precise navigation
of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States
system with high accuracy clock, high
of America (PNAS)”, Associate Professor Yan and his team
efficiency power management system, Clean room facility for satellite
are currently developing other high demand amino acid
advanced satellite propulsion systems control, testing and assembly works
varieties and investigating the viability of plant-based
and other sophisticated technologies.
biomass direct conversion to high value amino acids such
as tyrosine and L-DOPA – precursors for neurotransmitters
such as dopamine and adrenaline used to treat Parkinson’s SATELLITE MISSIONS Electrostatic discharge
disease, among other applications. A second-generation student-built nano- controlled laboratories for
satellite launch is planned for 2020. Plans research and student projects
Professor Wang Ye’s research group at Xiamen University, are also in place for the development
and scientists from Kyoto University in Japan, King Abdullah of a fleet of 20-kilogram satellites to be
University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia, deployed in space by 2022 for applications Environmental testing facilities
National Renewable Energy Laboratory in USA and the such as maritime and aerospace security, or such as a thermal chamber and a
Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques in Switzerland outfitted with remote sensing instruments to vacuum chamber
monitor environmental changes and detect
had also contributed to the groundbreaking research.
forest fires.
 ENTERPRISE ENTERPRISE 19

GROWING CAPABILITIES IN QUANTUM ENGINEERING A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT IN SHAPING THE FUTURE

NUS will take the lead in translating quantum science and
technologies into industry-ready engineering devices
and capabilities under the new Quantum Engineering
Programme (QEP). The programme, which will see National
Research Foundation Singapore (NRF) invest S$25 million
over five years, was announced on 17 September 2018.
The QEP aims to connect researchers in quantum science,
photonics devices and systems engineering with industry
partners and local start-ups to grow engineering capabilities
in three main areas – quantum secure communication,
quantum devices and quantum networks.
Particularly, the programme aims to create commercialisation
opportunities in growing markets, such as cybersecurity, global
navigation systems, sensing technologies and diagnostic
imaging, by leveraging Singapore’s expertise in quantum
technologies and engineering capabilities in communication,
imaging, system design and device fabrication.
NEW RESEARCH FACILITY TO FUEL CONTINUED
GROWTH IN ELECTRONICS SECTOR
Co-Director Professor John Thong, Head of NUS Electrical
& Computer Engineering, said, “QEP is an exciting and
ambitious programme that will accelerate the translation of
research in quantum phenomena into robust and scalable
quantum technologies. By bringing together local and
international expertise in engineering and quantum science,
we hope to develop innovative quantum engineering
solutions that could bring about economic and societal
benefits for Singapore and beyond.”
Co-Director Dr Kwek Leong Chuan from NUS Centre for
Quantum Technologies, added, “Singapore has been
actively involved in quantum research for about 20 years.
The timely establishment of this new programme will attract
more people working in engineering to contribute to these
efforts, so that in the long run, we can play a greater role in
commercialising quantum technologies.”
laboratory will focus on research and development in
advanced materials engineering that can be quickly
translated into commercial applications.
In the face of emerging artificial intelligence and big data
applications, materials innovation has become increasingly
important for achieving improvements in chip performance
OF SINGAPORE MARITIME INDUSTRY
At its official opening on 19 October 2018, the Centre of
Excellence in Modelling and Simulation for Next Generation
Ports (C4NGP) inked Memoranda of Understandings (MOUs)
with seven industry and research partners – Jurong Port Pte
Ltd, Optimization Analytics Technology Pte Ltd, PSA Marine
Pte Ltd, Singapore Polytechnic’s Centre of Excellence in
Maritime Safety, Softship Data Processing Pte Ltd, Surbana
Jurong Pte Ltd and ZPMC Southeast Asia Pte Ltd – to
develop digital twins of next-generation ports and maritime
systems.
C4NGP, which is based in NUS Engineering, will contribute
expertise in modelling and simulation, and work with the
partners to develop innovative solutions to enhance the
overall competitiveness and efficiency of Singapore’s port
and maritime industries.
Expressing his vision for the collaboration, Associate Left to right: C4NGP Co-Director Associate Professor Lee
Professor Chew Ek Peng, Director of C4NGP, said, “We Loo Hay; NUS Engineering Dean Professor Chua Kee Chaing;
Singapore Maritime Institute Executive Director Dr Sanjay C,
are excited to work with an inclusive group of companies,
including industry leaders and start-ups, to pioneer novel
Kuttan; NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology)
Professor Chen Tsuhan; Senior Minister of State, Ministry of
solutions to tackle Singapore’s increasingly complex port Transport and Ministry of Health Dr Lam Pin Min; Maritime and
Port Authority of Singapore Chief Executive Mr Andrew Tan;
and maritime operations. These collaborations will enable
Singapore Maritime Institute Chairman Mr Wong Weng Sun and
NUS to deepen our research capabilities in modelling and C4NGP Director Associate Professor Chew Ek Peng.
simulation, and also nurture talents for the industry. The
long-term goal of creating a future-oriented digital maritime
ecosystem will promote innovation and further enhance
Singapore’s competitiveness as a leading maritime capital.”

INTELLIGENT ROBOTIC PLATFORMS FORTIFY

and efficiency, and continual advancement for the industry.
Hence, the Applied Materials-NUS Advanced Materials

The S$70 million Applied Materials-NUS Advanced Materials

Corporate Lab was launched on 25 October 2018. From left: Mr
Brian Tan, Vice President & Regional President (SEA), Applied
Materials; Dr Prabu Raja, Senior Vice President, Semiconductor
Products Group, Applied Materials; Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister
for Finance and Chairman, NRF; Mr Hsieh Fu Hua, Chairman,
NUS Board of Trustees; Professor Low Teck Seng, Chief Executive
Officer, NRF and Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS President.
Applied Materials, Inc. and NUS jointly launched the Applied
Materials-NUS Advanced Materials Corporate Lab, with
support from the National Research Foundation Singapore
(NRF), on 25 October 2018. The S$70 million corporate
Corporate Lab co-led by Professor Aaron Thean from NUS
Electrical & Computer Engineering and Professor Richard
Wong from the NUS Faculty of Science aims to champion
materials innovation through teamwork and knowledge
exchange between industry and academia.
Apart from training over 50 researchers, engineers and
doctoral students at the lab, Applied Materials will also
be sponsoring doctoral scholarships amounting to S$1.5
million to grow the pool of skilled talent driving Singapore’s
semiconductor industry’s continued growth.
COLLABORATION EFFORTS BETWEEN NUS
ENGINEERING AND BOZHON PRECISION
Bozhon Precision Industry Technology Co., Ltd (Bozhon)
presented two commercial grade intelligent mobile robotic
platforms to NUS Electrical & Computer Engineering on 31
October 2018. Equipped with high precision autonomous
navigation and positioning system to navigate through
narrow spaces, these systems had been deployed for
autonomous delivery services at hotels, restaurants, and
factory floors.
The gift of the robots strengthens research collaborations
between Bozhon Research and NUS Electrical & Computer
Engineering in the areas of human language technology,
artificial intelligence, and advanced robotics. Bozhon and
NUS Electrical & Computer Engineering will also explore
joint student internship and research programmes through
NUS’ Suzhou Research Institute.

18 NUS ENGINEERING
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
 ENTERPRISE ENTERPRISE 21

COOLESTSG PAVES WAY FOR NEW COOLING
TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT
The Cooling Energy Science and Technology Singapore
(CoolestSG) Consortium was officially formed on 30 October
2018 to develop and accelerate the deployment and
commercialisation of cooling technologies, which can be
applied to buildings, data centres and industry.
Hosted in NUS, the consortium made up of 30 companies,
including Ascendas-Singbridge Group, CapitaLand Limited,
ENGIE Services Asia Pacific, Mitsubishi Electric Asia Pte
Ltd, Natflow Pte Ltd, and Shinhan Tech-Engineering Pte
Ltd, will offer a platform for industry partners and research
performers to interact and work together to identify relevant
Minister Chan Chun Sing announced the formation of CoolestSG
Consortium at the Opening Ceremony of SIEW 2018 on
30 October 2018.
topics, gain insights into Singapore’s future cooling needs,
as well as develop innovative solutions that meet the needs
of the industry.
Besides testing technologies at research institutes and
government agencies, the consortium will also work with
government agencies to achieve national sustainability
goals for energy efficient cooling, including BCA’s Super Low
Energy Buildings Technology Roadmap, and the Infocomm
Media Development Authority’s (IMDA) Green Data Centre
Technology Roadmap.
Sharing his perspective about CoolestSG’s mission,
Professor Philip Liu Li-Fan, NUS Vice President (Research
and Technology), Distinguished Professor of Civil &
Environmental Engineering and Co-Chair of the CoolestSG
Management Board said, “CoolestSG represents a unique
public-private partnership between academic institutions,
government agencies and the industry where resources
are pooled and knowledge and capabilities are shared to
co-create energy efficient and commercially viable cooling
technologies. These industry projects will in turn provide
training opportunities for building a talent pipeline that
meets Singapore’s future energy needs.”
ENCOURAGING A COLLABORATIVE LANDSCAPE FOR
INNOVATIONS
The inaugural NUS Engineering Industry Day titled “Enabling
Industry Innovation” was held on 21 November to encourage
collaborations and interaction between NUS researchers and
partners from government agencies and industry.
Participants of NUS Engineering Industry Day were treated
to talks, a panel session and an exhibition of various ongoing
projects in NUS Engineering around the themes of Urban
Solutions and Digital Transformation.
At his presentation, keynote speaker Mr Chiu Wen Tung,
Group Director (Research & Development) of the Urban
Redevelopment Authority (URA) gave insights about the
digital tools used by URA in Singapore’s city planning.
Meanwhile, Dr Bernard Leong, Head of Airbus Aerial Asia, Professor Chua Kian Jon Ernest (in green polo tee) from NUS
described the various solutions that the company has been Mechanical Engineering explaining how the revolutionary
“Green” air conditioner works.
working on, including disaster recovery and real estate
inspections.
Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering) Mr Russell Tham, and
Subsequently, a panel discussed the impact of digital NUS Senior Vice President (Graduate Education & Research
transformation on research, enterprise and education. The Translation) Professor Freddy Boey, discussed topics such
moderator Professor Yoon Soon-Fatt, NUS Engineering as necessary changes in education in the digital era, the
Vice Dean (Industry), and panellists, including President juxtaposition between data privacy and data collection to
of New Enterprises & Ventures at Singapore Technologies digital tools innovation, as well as the push and pull factors
of industry-academia partnerships.

ADDRESSING FUTURE ENERGY NEEDS WITH LAUNCH
OF SGEC
The launch of SgEC took place at SIEW 2018. From left: NTU
Associate Vice President for Strategy & Partnerships Professor
Subodh Mhaisalkar; Vice President of Research and Development
at ExxonMobil Engineering and Research Company Mr Vijay
Swarup; and NUS Vice President (Research & Technology)
Professor Philip Liu. (Photo Credit: NTU)
The Singapore Energy Centre (SgEC), a joint research centre
between NUS and the Nanyang Technological University
(NTU), was launched on 31 October 2018. Funded by
holding the directorship for the first two years from 2019 and
NUS the following two years, SgEC aims to leverage the
combined expertise and capabilities of the two universities
to co-develop early-stage and near-term energy solutions to
overcome the global energy challenges of the future.
With a research focus on next-generation energy
technologies such as energy production methods, energy
efficiency, conversion and storage innovations, as well as
ways to mitigate and overcome climate change, and improve
energy and water resiliency, SgEC provides opportunities for
industry members to identify issues of common interest and
co-develop solutions with the two universities.
SgEC’s first founding industry partner ExxonMobil has
committed US$10 million over a five-year period to support
the centre’s wide range of innovative research projects and
A panel discussion moderated by Professor Yoon Soon-Fatt,
NUS Engineering Vice Dean (Industry), focused on the impact
of digital transformation on research, enterprise and education.
From left: Professor Yoon, NUS Senior Vice President (Graduate
Education & Research Translation) Professor Freddy Boey,
President of New Enterprises & Ventures at ST Engineering
Mr Russell Tham, Mr Chiu Wen Tung and Dr Bernard Leong.
Rounding off NUS Engineering Industry Day, over 20 NUS
Engineering research projects of diverse topics ranging from
water to energy were presented to facilitate conversations
between NUS Engineering researchers and industry
representatives.
Some notable projects showcased at the event included
a smart socket that can keep track of the metadata and
operational data of a load plugged into it, a novel water
treatment system that uses a ultraviolet light-emitting diode
module to reduce organic pollutants, a city-wide plan of
electric vehicle charging point locations, as well as jagged
edge noise barriers, a mobile food waste treatment system,
and a water-absorbing hydrogel.

20
industry members and co-led by both universities – with NTU activities

NUS ENGINEERING
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
 STAFF 23

OUR
NUS ENGINEERING FACULTY MEMBERS
WIN GLOBAL RECOGNITION

PEOPLE Professor Dean Ho, Director of the N.1 Institute for Health, which was formerly
the Singapore Institute for Neurotechnology (SINAPSE), has been elected as a

STAFF,
Fellow of the US National Academy of Inventors (NAI), the highest professional
accolade for academic inventors. Professor Ho, whose research covers the
application of artificial intelligence (AI) towards personalised and precision
medicine, and emerging areas of nanomedicine and nanodiamond-based drug
delivery, is the only Singapore-based academic inventor to be elected as an

STUDENTS &
NAI Fellow in 2018. This is also the first time an NUS academic has achieved
this professional distinction.

ALUMNI
Associate Professor Guo Yongxin (left) and Associate Professor Mehul
Motani (right) from NUS Electrical & Computer Engineering were elevated to
the status of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Fellows from
January 2018. Associate Professor Guo Yongxin was awarded the accolade
for his contributions to wideband printed antennas while Associate Professor
Mehul Motani was recognised for his work on fundamental problems in network
information theory, the design and optimisation of novel wireless networking
algorithms, and deep learning for healthcare applications.

Professor Li Haizhou (right) from NUS Electrical & Computer Engineering and
NUS Mechanical Engineering, was conferred Fellow of the International Speech
Communication Association (ISCA) at Interspeech 2018, the annual conference
organised by ISCA, for his contribution to multilingual speech information
processing.

Professor Adekunle Olusola Adeyeye was elected Fellow of the American

Physical Society (APS) by the APS Council of Representatives at its September
2018 meeting for his contributions to the synthesis and characterisation
of magnetic nanostructures and their applications in low power magnonic
information processing. This achievement, accorded to only 0.5% of the
society’s membership, is a symbol of recognition by professional peers around
the world.
 STAFF STAFF 25

Dr Wesley Zheng Guangyuan, Assistant Professor in NUS Chemical &
Biomolecular Engineering, was among 10 recipients awarded the Junior
Chamber International (JCI) Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP)
Singapore Awards 2018. Dr Zheng was recognised for his work in developing
high energy density lithium batteries for automotive, aerial and renewable
energy storage applications, and his contributions to the community. Besides
representing Singapore at the TOYP World Awards, Dr Zheng also spoke at the
TOYP Youth Forum.
Professor Wang Chi-Hwa from NUS Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
received the 2018 Shell Thomas Baron Award in Fluid-Particle Systems from
the AIChE Particle Technology Forum (PTF). The award affirmed the impact his
research has made to particle technology. Subsequently, Professor Wang also
gave a lecture for his research on “Particle Technology: From Fundamentals to
Translational Pharmaceutical and Energy Applications” at the AIChE Annual
meeting.

Dr Teo Ho Pin, Mayor of North West CDC and Member of Parliament for Bukit
Panjang Constituency (far left) presenting the JCI TOYP (Singapore) Award 2018 to
Dr Wesley Zheng (second left).
At the same AIChE Annual meeting, a tribute was also paid to Professor Neal
Chung of NUS Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering. Three sessions were held
in Professor Chung’s honour in recognition of his contributions to membrane
science and technology.

NUS Electrical & Computer Engineering’s Assistant Professor Thomas Yeo

received the Singapore Neuroscience Association Young Neuroscientist
Award for his contributions to neuroscience research. Having published over
30 research articles and journal commentaries, Dr Yeo is known for devising
machine-learning algorithms to analyse large-scale datasets comprising brain
magnetic resonance imaging, behavioural, genetic and other physiological
Professor Philip Liu, Vice President (Research and Technology) and
measures. In recent times, his team had further developed algorithms that offer
Distinguished Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, received
insights into brain atrophy among patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
an Honorary Professorship at Tsinghua University, China in October 2018.
Professor Liu is known for his research findings and contributions in tsunami
and coastal disaster resilience technology. In particular, Professor Liu had
established the COMCOT (Cornell-Multi-grid-Coupled-Tsunami) and
Assistant Professor Elita Li from NUS Civil & Environmental received the J. COBRAS (Cornell-Breaking-Waves-and Structures) models based on nonlinear
Clarence Karcher Award from the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) shallow water wave theory and the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS)
in October 2018 for her work in exploration geophysics. Besides having equations respectively.
seven first-authored papers in Geophysics and a co-authorship in Geophysical
Journal International, Dr Li is also an active member of SEG, engaging with the
Translations Committee and three other conference organising committees.

Associate Professor Zhang Rui (left) and Associate Professor Vincent

Tan (right) from the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering have
been appointed as Distinguished Lecturers with the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Both Associate Professor Zhang’s appointment with
Professor Venkatesan, T Venky from NUS Electrical & Computer Engineering
the IEEE Signal Processing Society and Associate Professor Tan’s appointment
received the prestigious European Advanced Materials Award 2018 from the
with the IEEE Information Theory Society are for a two-year term.
International Association of Advanced Materials (IAAM) on 21 August 2018
in Stockholm, Sweden. The award was presented to Professor Venkatesan
in recognition of his notable and outstanding contribution in the field of
Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology.

24 NUS ENGINEERING
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
 STAFF
NATIONAL HONOURS
FOR FACULTY MEMBERS
Eighteen NUS Engineering staff received National Day 2018
Awards for their dedicated service.
Public Administration Medal (Bronze)
NUS Civil & Environmental
Engineering
Long Service Medal
NUS Civil & Environmental
Engineering
NUS Chemical & Biomolecular
Engineering
NUS Electrical & Computer
Engineering
NUS Industrial Systems
Engineering & Management
NUS Mechanical Engineering
26
NUS ENGINEERING
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
STAFF 27
NUS CELEBRATES OUR BEST
2018 University Awards
At the annual University Awards Ceremony held on 14 May
2018, Assistant Professor Zhao Dan from NUS Chemical &
Biomolecular Engineering received the Young Researcher
Award in recognition of his work in the field of advanced
porous materials and membranes.
Professor Quek Ser Tong
Beyond uncovering the huge potential of metal-organic
frameworks in separation processes, Dr Zhao has also
started an independent research programme on advanced
porous materials in the hope of finding solutions to clean
Professor Liew Jat Yuen,
Richard energy and environmental sustainability. Currently, Dr Zhao
is leading a project to commercialise his lab’s gas sensing
Professor Phoon Kok Kwang technology.
NUS Annual Teaching Excellence Award 2016/2017
Associate Professor Chiu
In 2018, NUS recognised seven NUS Engineering faculty
Min-Sen The awardees with NUS Engineering Dean Professor Chua Kee Chaing at the 2018 NUS Engineering Awards & Recognition Ceremony.
members who have displayed a high level of commitment
Madam Fam Hwee Koong to their teaching. 2018 awardees:
Madam Siew Woon Chee Recipients:
• Engineering Educator Award • Innovative Teaching Award (Gold) • Dean’s Chair
• Dr Alberto Corrias, NUS Biomedical Engineering - Associate Professor Qiu
AY2016/2017 AY2016/2017
Mr Abdul Rashid Bin Seman • Dr Mrinal Kanti Musib, NUS Biomedical Engineering
- Dr Alberto Corrias - EPP team for NUS Mechanical Chengwei
• Dr Satyen Gautam, NUS Chemical & Biomolecular
- Assistant Professor Lefebvre Engineering (Associate
Professor Ashraf Ali Bin Engineering
Mohamed Kassim
Olivier Patrick Professor Chen Chao Yu, Peter; • Engineering Young Researcher
• Dr Sachin Vinayak Jangam, NUS Chemical & Award 2018
- Dr Lim Wee Chuan, Eldin Associate Professor Chua Kian
Associate Professor Chim Biomolecular Engineering - Associate Professor Qiu
- Dr Sachin Vinayak Jangam Jon, Ernest; Assistant Professor
Wai Kin • Dr Chian Siau Chen, NUS Civil & Environmental
- Dr Satyen Gautam Koh Soo Jin, Adrian; Associate Chengwei
Associate Professor Liang
Engineering - Associate Professor Tan Yan Fu,
Professor Lim Kian Meng;
Yung Chii • Dr Olivier Lefebvre, NUS Civil & Environmental
• Engineering Educator Award Associate Professor Teo Vincent
Engineering - Assistant Professor Zhao Dan
Associate Professor Sanjib Honour Roll AY 2016/2017 Chiang Juay; and Assistant
Kumar Panda • Dr Rajesh Chandrasekhara Panicker, NUS Electrical &
- Dr Chiu Cheng Hsin Professor Velusamy,
Computer Engineering • Engineering Researcher Award
Subramaniam)
Mrs Aruchunan Sarasupathi
2018 NUS Engineering Awards • Innovative Teaching Award (Gold) 2018
On 15 March 2018, faculty members who have been AY2016/2017 • Innovative Teaching Award - Associate Professor Chua Kian
Associate Professor Chew
Ek Peng instrumental in upholding and advancing NUS Engineering’s - EPP team for NUS Electrical & (Silver) AY2016/2017 Jon, Ernest
research and education excellence were recognised at the Computer Engineering - Dr Elliot Law - Professor Meng Qiang
Mr Bok Shung Hwee (Associate Professor Abdullah - Dr Mrinal Kanti Musib
2018 NUS Engineering Awards Ceremony. The event saw
the NUS Engineering Service Award awarded for the first Al Mamun; Associate Professor • Highly Cited Researchers 2017 List
Professor Fuh Ying Hsi, time. Ashwin M Khambadkone; Dr • Innovative Teaching Award (Clarivate Analytics)
Jerry Chua Dingjuan; Associate (Bronze) AY2016/2017 - Professor Ge Shuzhi Sam
Professor Shu Chang The Innovative Teaching Award (Gold) was also conferred for Professor Mandar Anil Chitre; - Assistant Professor Yeow Chen - Professor Lee Jim Yang
Dr Sahoo Sanjib Kumar; and Hua, Raye - Professor Lim Teng Joon
the first time to teams, instead of an individual, from NUS
Professor Tay Tong Earn Associate Professor Soh Wee - Professor Liu Bin
Electrical & Computer Engineering and NUS Mechanical
Engineering. The teams had worked collaboratively to Seng) • Engineering Outstanding Service - Professor Seeram Ramakrishna
Mr Goh Tiong Lai
develop and implement the Engineering Principles and Award 2017 - Associate Professor Zhang Rui
Practice (EPP) modules – NUS Engineering’s experiential - Professor Victor Shim
learning initiative for freshmen. Read more about EPP on
page 10.
 STAFF STUDENTS 29

NEW NUS APPOINTMENTS STUDENTS DO NUS ENGINEERING PROUD

Dean’s Chair Keppel Chair Professorship Lee Kuan Yew Postdoctoral Fellow IN COMPETITIONS
Associate Professor Qiu Chengwei
has been appointed as Dean’s Chair in
Innovative Green Solutions Win First Prize at Biennial Competition
NUS Engineering from January 2018
to December 2020. Among various A group of Year 2 NUS Engineering students from
professional achievements, Associate Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering,
Professor Qiu had received numerous Environmental Engineering and Industrial & Systems
accolades including the SUMMA Engineering collaborated with their peer from NUS
Graduate Fellowship in Advanced School of Design & Environment to take part in the BCA-
Electromagnetics, the Institute of CDL Green Sparks Competition 2017/2018.
Electrical and Electronics Engineers
(IEEE) Antennas and Propagation The team, comprising Lim Jia Ming, Quek Hou Joo,
Society (AP-S) Graduate Research Ong Jiong Yang, Ong Kok Chung, Wong Wei Yuan and
Award, the International Union of Sheryl Teng Swee Sim, came up with innovative solutions
Radio Science (URSI) Young Scientist to transform Bukit View Secondary School into a green
Award, NUS Young Investigator Professor Quek Ser Tong, Head Dr Saw Thuan Beng of NUS building with conducive learning environment. They won
The winning team receiving their cheque from Mr Lawrence
Award, Massachusetts Institute of of NUS Civil & Environmental Biomedical Engineering was the top prize and took home S$10,000 cash. Wong, Minister for National Development & Second Minister
Technology (MIT) TR35@Singapore Engineering, was appointed the 4th awarded the prestigious Lee Kuan for Finance (in white shirt). (Photo credit: Building and
Construction Authority (Singapore))
Award, Young Scientist Award by Keppel Chair Professor in March Yew Postdoctoral Fellowship in
the Singapore National Academy of 2018. The Keppel Chair Professorship August 2018. The fellowship nurtures
Science, and NUS Engineering Young Programme promotes ocean, marine young outstanding science, medicine
Researcher Award. In addition, he and offshore technology. and engineering academics through
NUS iGEM Team Scores Gold with Eco-friendly Biomanufacturing Platform
published over 150 research papers appointments as research staff
members in NUS and Nanyang International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM)
and had been featured in Science
Technological University. competition in Boston, USA. The team’s resolution
magazine and MIT Technology
to alleviate the water pollution problem caused by
Review among others. He is an
chemically synthesised dyes led to the development of
Associate Editor for the European
an eco-friendly and multicomponent biomanufacturing
Physical Journal (EPJ) and Scientific
platform that takes in waste as a feedstock to produce
Reports.
dyes. The use of intelligent machine control to optimise
the production process of natural dyes further added a
Emeritus Professorship
level of sophistication to the team’s innovation.
Professor Andrew Nee was conferred an Emeritus scientists and one of 14 Inspiring Innovators from Asia by the
Professorship in 2018. The honour is conferred on Asian Scientist Magazine in 2016. The solution resulted in the team clinching a Gold
full professors upon retirement in recognition of their Medal despite stiff competition from more than 300
scholastic contributions and unwavering service to NUS Throughout his career, Professor Nee has won various teams, including those from renowned universities
and the community. Some of Professor Nee’s professional accolades such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics such as Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
achievements included publishing 18 books, 25 book Engineers (IEEE) Kayamori Best Paper Award (1999), The NUS iGEM 2018 Team is a multidisciplinary group of Oxford and Imperial College London. The team
chapters and over 600 international refereed journals and International Journal of Production Research Norman A. students. was also nominated for three special awards – Best
conference papers; completing the supervision of 49 PhD and Dudley Award (2003), UK Institution of Mechanical Engineers Manufacturing Project, Best Hardware, and the Safety
45 Master of Engineering candidates; being the first ethnic Joseph Whitworth Prize (2009). With his research group In October 2018, the NUS iGEM team made up of and Security Award. In addition, the team was specially
Chinese to become President of the Paris-based International studying augmented reality (AR) technology, he was also 13 students from diverse academic backgrounds – commended for their efforts in ensuring safety in their
Academy for Production Engineering in the organisation’s awarded for a highly cited paper in Springer’s Advances biomedical, materials, chemical, mechanical engineering, project during the awards ceremony. This is the best
52-year history; developed the product IMOLD for intelligent in Manufacturing in June 2018, as well as the 2018 Hilti IT engineering science, life sciences, architecture and accomplishment NUS has achieved in this competition
mold design with his team which remains as one of the most Competition in March 2018, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance medicine – participated in the Giant Jamboree of the to date.
popular mold design software systems since 1997; receiving Welfare Foundation Research Award in 2010, and Samsung
the National Day Award – Public Administration Medal DigitAll HOPE Award in 2005.

28
(Silver) in 2007 and being selected as one of Asia’s top 100

NUS ENGINEERING
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
 STUDENTS
NUS Engineering Wins for the First Time in Sembcorp-EMA Energy Challenge
An NUS Engineering team won the University Category
at the Sembcorp-EMA Energy Challenge (SEEC) 2018.
This marked NUS’ first win in the University Category
since the annual competition, jointly organised by
Sembcorp and the Energy Market Authority (EMA), was
launched.
The winning team comprised Year 2 NUS Engineering
Science students Daryl Chua Kee Han and Jonathan Jie
and NUS Mechanical Engineering students Mark Lee
Wei Bin and Lee Dongyu.
Winning Top Prize at the Inaugural Finland-Singapore Maritime Innovation Camp
Jonathan Jie (far left), Lim Wei Dai (far right) and their two
teammates from the University of Turku (UTU) won top prize
at the inaugural Finland-Singapore Maritime Innovation
Camp. (Photo Credit: Singapore Maritime Institute)
NUS FSAE Team Outperformed its 2017 Achievements
The NUS FSAE team came in 13 out of 120 teams taking
part in the annual Formula SAE International Challenge
held in Michigan, USA, from 9 to 12 May 2018. This result
is an improvement of one position from its 14th rank last
year.
In addition to improving its general standing worldwide,
the team also recorded other commendable achievements
including coming in third in the Brake Design Specialty
Award presented by Akebono Brake Corporation, Race
Car Engineering Drawing and Engineering Design, as
well as fifth and sixth for Acceleration and Marketing
Presentation respectively.
The NUS FSAE race car project is part of the Innovation &
30
Design Programme (iDP) at NUS Engineering.
NUS ENGINEERING
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
STUDENTS
First win by an NUS team in the Sembcorp-EMA Energy
Challenge. (Photo Credit: Energy Market Authority)
Two NUS Engineering Science students Jonathan Jie
and Lim Wei Dai together with two teammates from
the University of Turku (UTU) won S$5,000 cash at
the inaugural one-week Finland-Singapore Maritime
Innovation Camp organised by UTU and the Singapore
Maritime Institute (SMI) in collaboration with MacGregor
Finland Oy and PSA Corporation Limited.
At the Innovation Camp held in Singapore, 17
participating university students from Finland and
Singapore worked in teams to develop ideas and
solutions, and pitch them to a Judging Panel comprising
members from the academic institute, corporate partners
and other organisations.
Representing both NUS and Singapore, the R-19 race car
ranked 13th out of 120 teams at the 2019 Formula SAE
Michigan competition in the US.
iDP Teams Recognised at International Competitions
An intelligent digital watch that can be paired with
a smart pillbox to remind the elderly to take their
medication received the national runner-up prize at
James Dyson Award 2018. Mechanical Engineering
students Timothy Pun Tze Yang and Farm Zheng Hao,
together with Dhanashree Lyra Govindaraju from
Industrial & Systems Engineering and Lai Ying Xian from
Chemical Engineering created the innovation as part of
the Innovation & Design Programme (iDP).
Meanwhile, Team Bumblebee, another iDP team,
represented Singapore at the 21st Annual International
Robosub Competition held in San Diego, USA. Despite
stiff competition, the team came in second against
teams from the US, Canada and China.
Asia’s First Fully Solar-powered Quadcopter Drone Takes Flight
A team from NUS Engineering developed Asia’s first fully
solar-powered quadcopter drone. The aircraft flew above
10 metres in test flights and achieved controllable flight
without the use of batteries. From left: Yeo Jun Han, Brian
Shohei Teo, Kuan Jun Ren, Goh Chong Swee and Associate
Professor Aaron Danner.
Three NUS Engineering alumni Goh Chong Swee, Kuan
Jun Ren and Yeo Jun Han have created Asia’s first fully
solar-powered quadcopter drone. The solar-powered
prototype with no battery or other energy storage on
board has flown above 10 metres – higher than a typical
three-storey building – in test flights.
31
At the subsequent 2018 Maritime RobotX Challenge,
Team Bumblebee bested other university teams from
Asia, Australia and US to claim the top honours. It is
a significant victory – with Team Bumblebee becoming
the first non-US team in history to have won the
competition.
Constructed using lightweight carbon fibre material,
the quadcopter drone weighs 2.6 kilograms and has
a surface area of about four square metres. Fitted
with 148 individually characterised silicon solar cells
and supported by a frame equipped with four rotors,
the drone can be controlled by remote control or
programmed to fly autonomously using a global
positioning system. The drone can also take off and
land vertically without a runway.
These various attributes of the drone enable it to
potentially be used as a “flying solar panel” to provide
emergency solar power to disaster areas, as well as for
photography, small package delivery, surveillance and
inspection. Batteries can be incorporated to power
the aircraft when there is no sunlight or charging
opportunity during flight.
The drone was first developed as a student project
under the Innovation & Design Programme (iDP). With
the aim of commercialising the technology, the team is
currently fine-tuning the aircraft to further improve its
efficiency.
 STUDENTS
Team NUS Emerged Champion in the 2018 Hilti IT Competition
The NUS team (NUS AR Lab), supervised by Associate
Professor Soh Khim Ong and Emeritus Professor Andrew
Nee, emerged Champion at the 2018 HILTI IT Competition.
The NUS Augmented Reality (AR) Lab made up of
NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and
Engineering PhD students Terence Siew, Miko Chang,
He Fan, Wang Xin and Li Wenkai won the top prize at
Coming Out Top at the 2nd International Collegiate Competition for Brain-Inspired Computing
Under the supervision of Professor Li Haizhou, the team
comprising three PhD students from Human Language
Technology Laboratory Wu Jibin, Pan Zihan and
Zhang Malu, and A*STAR collaborator Chua Yansong,
bagged the first prize in the 2nd International Collegiate
Competition for Brain-Inspired Computing held at
Tsinghua University, China, in October 2018. Their work
in neuromorphic automatic speech recognition, inspired
by the anatomical structure of the human cochlea and
human auditory attention mechanism, distinguished
them from 300 teams from 84 international institutions.
Other than a certificate, the team also received prize
money of RMB 100,000.
A Victorious Outing for the NUS Environmental Engineering Team at the 2018 WEF competition
Team member Li Rui (middle, front row) at the presentation
of the Process Challenge Award.
32 NUS ENGINEERING
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
the 2018 Hilti IT Competition – themed AR and Internet
of Things (IoT) in the construction industry – from
among 147 entries worldwide.
Under the supervision of Associate Professor Ong Soh
Khim and Emeritus Professor Andrew Nee from NUS
Mechanical Engineering, NUS AR Lab not only stood
out in terms of technical and scientific merits, the team’s
concept implementation and entrepreneurial skills also
impressed the judges. The team won a paid study trip,
which includes airfare and a five-night stay at one of the
locations where Hilti Corporation operates.
This is the 6th time Hilti organised this competition, but
it was the first time NUS entered the competition.
(From left to right) ECE Team members Zhang Malu, Wu
Jibin, Pan Zihan, and Chua Yansong (A*STAR collaborator)
with Professor Shi Luping (the Competition Organiser) at the
award ceremony.
NUS Environmental Engineering PhD students Xu
Dong, Li Rui, Lu Lu and Goh Jun Wei, under the
supervision of Professor Hu Jiangyong, Professor Ng
How Yong and Professor Ong Say Leong, became the
first and only team outside North America to win at the
Water Environmental Federation (WEF) Student Design
Competition held in New Orleans, USA. The team
placed fourth in the Water Environment Competition
for their integrated design in producing ultrapure water
with zero-liquid discharge from electronic product
effluent. Li Rui also went on to walk away with the
Process Challenge Award.
ALUMNI
LIFELONG LEARNING PAYS OFF FOR ENGINEER
NUS Engineering student Chester successfully juggled his studies with a full-time career, graduating with a Bachelor of Technology
(Mechanical Engineering) with Honours (Highest Distinction) on 17 July 2018.
While Chester Seet’s classmates in the NUS Mechanical
Engineering programme had the luxury to focus on their
studies, he had to juggle his full-time role at A*STAR
programming industrial robots with his lectures, tutorials,
assignments and examinations. The hard work of the
27-year-old paid off when he graduated with a Bachelor of
Technology (Mechanical Engineering) with Honours (Highest
Distinction) in July 2018.
Holding a Diploma in Digital and Precision Engineering
from Nanyang Polytechnic, Chester had opted to work
with A*STAR upon completion of his National Service, prior
to furthering his studies at NUS. Explaining his decision,
Chester said, “I figured that my working experience would
be useful in school. That turned out to be the case – I could
relate theories learnt in class with the practical experience
from my work.”
However, he admits that the going was never easy. “There
were definitely times when I doubted my ability to juggle
both work and school, as both were very demanding on
33
deliverables. I will never forget those sleepless nights where
I had to finish assignments, study for mid-terms and prepare
for examinations, all while having to meet deadlines at my
workplace.” Nonetheless, Chester is grateful to his employer
for facilitating his work-study arrangements by allowing him
to leave work earlier for classes upon completion of his
assigned tasks.
Looking back, Chester feels that the sacrifice was worth it.
“The degree helped me develop critical thinking skills which
is valuable for an engineer’s work. The knowledge gained
from core and elective modules also helped me to better
grasp engineering concepts, methods and procedures,
which are directly applicable to my job,” he said.
Although Chester has no immediate plans, the staunch
supporter of lifelong learning hopes to eventually pursue a
Master’s Degree and help propel Singapore’s engineering
capabilities to greater heights. “The amount of knowledge
out there is vast, and we have to continue learning to
improve ourselves. Otherwise, we will become stagnant,
lose competitiveness and, finally, be obsolete,” he said.
 The team from Yonah comprises: (from left) Lau Yan Han, Tee
Zhen Lee, Ding Lingke, Tan Sian Hern Ivan-Darien, Ong Tian
ALUMNI
Chang, Sim Zhi Min. Absent: Seah Shao Xuan.
ALUMNI 35
for rural hospitals”, but they are so much more. Yonah’s
engineers – comprised Yonah’s founders and a young
team of NUS Engineering undergraduates – are constantly
developing better and more efficient drones, as well as
improving the software intelligence that flies the drones to
their destinations.

Yan Han and Zhen Lee are mechanical engineering students

in their third year of studies at NUS Engineering. Both joined

OUR ALUMNI ARE SAVING LIVES AND Yonah after receiving an invitation to visit Yonah’s office/
workshop, where they learnt more about Yonah’s social
EDUCATING OUR UNDERGRADUATES IN mission and the challenges involved. The undergraduates

THE PROCESS were intrigued by the opportunity to work on drones and

save lives, while getting real-life lessons in engineering.
Yan Han (standing) and Zhen Lee checking the drone before its
flight test.

How engineering expertise is Undergraduates’ perspectives

delivering medical supplies to
marginalised communities
Stepping into Yonah’s office, we see a collection of 3D
printers, CNC machines and workstations as well as an
unfinished prototype of their latest drone, which is capable
of delivering a 3 kilogrammes payload over an impressive
100 kilometres radius.
This is the headquarters of Yonah, a young social enterprise
that aspires to solve logistical issues in rural and remote
areas, where challenging terrain and the lack of proper
infrastructure are inhibiting communities from accessing
basic healthcare.
Where it all started
Yonah was founded in 2016 by two recent NUS Engineering
graduates who saw a major problem – a lack of access to
basic healthcare in rural areas – and decided to tackle the
challenge head on.
Co-founder Tian Chang (third from left) and team are constantly
exchanging ideas to improve the development of their drone.
But Yonah is turning the situation around with its fleet of
unmanned aircraft (drones) that transports vaccines and
medical supplies from hospitals to communities-in-need.
Saving lives with innovative engineering
According to co-founder Ong Tian Chang (Engineering
’14), Yonah’s drones are doing more than critical deliveries –
they’re also changing the mindsets of healthcare providers
in these areas.
Having been on the team for a couple of years, the pair
of undergraduates credit the experience with giving them
a holistic outlook on engineering. Yan Han says, “I joined
Yonah in my first year at NUS Engineering and started
doing a lot of 3D modelling work with the team. Because I
needed to solve real-world problems, I studied in advance
of my lectures to improve my expertise in this area. By my
second year, I found that I was ahead of my peers in this
module. It’s been exciting to see how closely our real-life
experiences and studies are intertwined.”
Measuring success
Yonah’s long-term survival depends on its ability to attract
capable undergraduates who have the heart and talent to
take Yonah from where it is today, to where it aspires to be
– a means for improving healthcare logistics in rural areas
and for marginalised communities.
Fellow co-founder Sim Zhi Min (Engineering ’16) tells us that
success to the team is measured by several key statistics,
Zhen Lee adds, “It’s also fascinating to realise how the
theories we study in lectures are applied in practical
situations. For instance, when I first heard of technical terms
like ‘static margin’ and ‘chord length’ in lessons, they made
an impression on me, but didn’t quite stick. Using them in
hands-on situations at Yonah, their true importance really
comes to light.”
such as a decrease in measles outbreaks in the areas Yonah
drones are deployed in, a drop in infant mortality rates, a
reduction in the number of stockouts at outposts, as well as
increases in vaccinations and the number of services that
hospitals can provide to their communities, thanks to their
collaboration with Yonah.

The implication of this lack of basic healthcare is huge. In
areas such as Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and parts
of Indonesia, rural areas commonly see outbreaks of
diseases such as measles, and stockouts are common at
remote outposts. Additionally, without a reliable method
of delivering patients’ samples to test centres, hospitals are
restricted in the amount of care they can provide patients.
While healthcare services are available in these areas,
patients and healthcare providers are unable to reach one
another.
He says, “Changing mindsets is perhaps one of the most
important things we do. Previously, hospitals in rural areas
accepted that vaccinations may not be available to their
patients, now they’re realising the possibilities because
our drones can fly to their hospital, land, unload medical
supplies such as vaccines, and return safely to us. On their
way back, hospital workers can pack patients’ test samples
onto our drone for delivery to other facilities.”
Yonah’s drones are carrying out groundbreaking, life-saving
work. Tian Chang humbly refers to themselves as “DHL
How NUS Engineering’s customisable curriculum is helping Yonah attract talent
The founders credit NUS Engineering’s customisable
curriculum with enabling keen students to take on roles at
Yonah.
Tian Chang tells us, “Undergraduates at NUS Engineering
are allowed to tailor up to a quarter of their modules. This
allows them to pick and choose modules and projects that
they are passionate about, which includes joining our team
at Yonah. I’m grateful as this provides us with a consistent
In addition to success in our humanitarian efforts, I also
hope that Yonah is a place where ‘thinking engineers’ are
nurtured. As engineers, it’s often routine to ‘follow the
norms’ to get work done. But I hope that Yonah inspires
a new generation of engineers who have the intellect,
expertise and confidence to respectfully question the way
things are done and innovate with new, creative solutions
to improve the world around us. This is the true heart of
engineering.”

34
influx of talent that we can grow and develop.

NUS ENGINEERING
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
 ALUMNI
NUS ALUMNI GIVES BACK TO NUS
Gifting the Opportunity of a Study Trip
The generous gift of alumnus Hoong Yik Luen enriched
the experience of 20 students who participated in
the “Engaging the Rising Tech – China” study trip.
During the week-long visit to Hangzhou, Guangzhou
and Shenzhen, Yik Luen made arrangements for the
students to network with companies like Midea, Huawei
Supporting the Growth of NUS Engineering Student Community
The NUS Engineering Alumni Mentorship Programme
was launched in August 2018 to build a strong and
dynamic relationship between the student community
and NUS Engineering alumni. The programme aims
to provide opportunities for students to learn about
work and life outside the University, from established
Engineering alumni.
Helping Needy Undergraduates Realise their Ambitions
At the NUS Annual Giving Appreciation Night held
on 31 August, NUS Engineering received the Top
Achievement Award in the Commencement Class
Giving 2018 campaign with the 2018 Engineering
graduate cohort achieving the highest participation
rate and raising over S$22,000.
Meanwhile, the Faculty of Engineering-CEE Department
Bursary initated by Head of NUS Civil and Environmental
Engineering Professor Quek Ser Tong in December
2017 also saw students and faculty members rallying
behind the worthy cause and raising over S$29,000
to help NUS Engineering needy undergraduates fund
their studies.
The class bursary started by alumni Mr Seow Kiat Wang
and Mr Tan Chow Boon from Class of 1984 NUS Civil
& Environmental Engineering also recorded strong
support with more than S$35,000 raised.
36 NUS ENGINEERING
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
ALUMNI 37
REUNION OF NUS ENGINEERING ALUMNI COMMUNITY
The annual NUS Engineering Alumni Gala Dinner held at
the Kent Ridge Guild House on 19 October 2018 saw the
attendance of about 300 guests. It was an occasion to renew
and Hikvision through a mix of experiential site visits
ties and celebrate the achievements of NUS Engineering
and engagement with researchers and interaction with
alumni – Mr Gan Seow Kee, Chairman and Managing
stakeholders. As a result, participating students were
Director of ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd from Industrial &
able to witness first-hand how these top companies
Systems Engineering Class of 1976, and Er Lim Peng Hong,
excel in China, the growth of cashless payments and
Managing Director of PH Consulting Pte Ltd from Civil
technology in China, and other trending innovations.
Engineering Class of 1983 – who received the Distinguished
Engineering Alumni Award (DEAA).
Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award recipients Er Lim Peng
Hong (third from left) and Mr Gan Seow Kee (fourth from left)
with NUS Engineering Vice Dean Professor David Chua and Dean
Professor Chua Kee Chaing and NUS President Professor Tan
Nine alumni mentors who volunteered their time for the Eng Chye.
programme were matched to 16 student participants
The Alumni Gala Dinner also recognised the generosity of
across four departments. The students are expected
alumni who contributed to the establishment of four new
to benefit from the professional and industry-relevant
bursaries, two new scholarships, as well as a study trip for
advice of their mentors.
selected students to China. Notably, the 2018 cohort of
Engineering graduates achieved the highest participation
rate in this year’s Commencement Class Giving 2018, raising
over S$22,000.
NUS Mechanical Engineering alumni with Faculty members.
A gathering of alumni at the NUS Engineering Gala Dinner 2018.
Representing the Faculty at NUS Annual Giving Appreciation Apart from monetary contributions, the alumni also
Night, Assistant Dean (Student Life, Alumni & Development) volunteered their time to mentor students in the newly
Guests at the Alumni Gala Dinner were treated to a repertoire
Dr Velusamy Subramaniam received the award from Professor
from the NUS Guitar Ensemble. launched Faculty’s Alumni Mentorship Programme.
Ho Teck Hua, Senior Deputy President and Provost.
 FACTS AND FIGURES FACTS AND FIGURES 39

STUDENTS As at 31 December 2018 STAFF As at 31 December 2018

STAFF PROFILE
Tenure Track Faculty
CLASS OF 2018
Professors 81
BEng 6338 Associate Professors 137
TOTAL MSc 1487 Assistant Professors 55
MEng 138 Other Teaching Staff (Non-Tenure Track) 69
8903 PhD 940 TOTAL
TOTAL NUMBER OF FULL-TIME FACULTY MEMBERS 342
TOTAL 8903 1684 Adjunct Staff 120
Emeritus/Chair/Visiting Professors 11
Research Staff 874
Executive & Professional Staff 91
Non-academic Staff 246
TOTAL STAFF STRENGTH 1684
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT ENROLMENT

RESEARCH
Engineering 72
As at 31 December 2018
B Tech 327
Biomedical Engineering 540
Civil Engineering 515
ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITIES AT NUS ENGINEERING
Electrical Engineering 777
TOTAL Figures are Cumulative
Industrial and Systems Engineering 390 400
6338 Materials Science and Engineering 314
350
Mechanical Engineering 1384
300
Chemical Engineering 1116
Computer Engineering 590 250
Engineering Science Programme 117
200
Environmental Engineering 196
TOTAL 6338 150

100

50

0
Spin-off/ Start-up Companies Licensed Technologies Inventions Patented

GRADUATE STUDENT ENROLMENT 2012 and before 40 150 229

2013 42 153 242
TOTAL MSc 1487
MEng 138 2014 52 167 259
2565 PhD 940 2015 58 180 284
TOTAL 2565 2016 63 206 308
2017 67 250 328
2018 71 276 353

38 NUS ENGINEERING
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
 FACTS AND FIGURES FACTS AND FIGURES 41

RESEARCH As at 31 December 2018

NUMBER OF CITATIONS (IN 5-YEAR INTERVALS)
Citing Years

RESEARCH GRANTS AWARDED TO NUS ENGINEERING 2008-2012 10,186

(EXCLUDING RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP) 2009-2013 11,780

Fiscal Year
2010-2014 14,090
138,349,512 2011-2015 15,566
FY 2014/2015
109,751,703 2012-2016 19,048
FY 2015/2016
212,268,032 2013-2017 23,853
FY 2016/2017 Source: InCites Essential
Science Indicators dataset
2014-2018 25,217
109,750,160 updated 12 February 2019.
FY 2017/2018 Times Cited
5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000
158,893,136
FY 2018/2019
Grand Total
AVERAGE CITATIONS PER PAPER (IN 5-YEAR INTERVALS)
Citing Years

2008-2012 3.84
RESEARCH GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED IN FY 2018/2019
2009-2013 4.25
(AS AT 31 JANUARY 2019)
2010-2014 4.79

2011-2015 5.08

2012-2016 5.83

2013-2017 6.68
Source: InCites Essential
Science Indicators dataset
2014-2018 6.91
updated 12 February 2019. Citations
per Paper
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

External Research Grants 112,287,596

GRAND External Research Scholarships 1,803,721
TOTAL
MOE Research Grants 46,605,540 NUMBER OF PAPERS (IN 5-YEAR INTERVALS)
183,970,848 MOE Research Scholarships 23,273,991
Citing Years
GRAND TOTAL 183,970,848
2008-2012 2,656

2009-2013 2,774

2010-2014 2,939

2011-2015 3,064

2012-2016 3,265

2013-2017 3,571
Source: InCites Essential
Science Indicators dataset
3,649

40
updated 12 February 2019.
2014-2018
Number of
500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 Papers
NUS ENGINEERING
ANNUAL REPORT 2018