CONVERGENCE NTU College · 2015-11-13 · 082 Convergence Issue 04, 2015 3 Convergence Issue 04,...

088 Convergence Issue 04, 2015 1 Convergence Issue 04, 2015

CoE: College of EngineeringCEE: School of Civil and

Environmental EngineeringSchool of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

EEE:

School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

MAE: School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering

SCBE:

School of Computer EngineeringSCE:School of Materials Science and Engineering

MSE:

Science and Engineering• Innovation in Action• Pushing Research Frontiers

A powerhouse in Engineering Education and Research, NTU College of Engineering was ranked:

What’s Inside?

Life at College of Engineering • Far Away from Home• NTU EEE LEAD Nepal OCIP 2014• Unilever Sustainability Living

Challenge 2015

People and Events• Amazing Engineering Day 2015• Celebrating 50 Years of Engineering

Pioneers in Singapore• New Dean on Board• SCE Techfest 2015

New Dean on Board

People and Events

Prof Chen Tsuhan, joins NTU College of Engineering as the new Dean on 1 August 2015. We speak to Prof Chen to find out why students should pursue an education in Engineering.

* U.S. News & World Report, 2016 Ranking of Best Global Universities for Engineering# QS World University Rankings for Engineering & Technology Faculty, 2015

NTU Collegeof EngineeringIssue 04, 2015

CONVERGENCEA better world through creativity and technologyADVANCING SOCIETYTHROUGH SUSTAINABLEAND BIOMEDICALTECHNOLOGIESSchool of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering (SCBE)

MOBILISING RESOURCES TO BUILD BETTER ENVIRONMENTSSchool of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

PIONEERING SMARTER TECHNOLOGY IN A CONNECTED WORLDSchool of Computer Engineering (SCE) ENVISIONING,

ENABLING AND EMPOWERING THE FUTURESchool of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE)

INNOVATING MATERIALS FOR CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIESSchool of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE)

DRIVING THE MECHANICS OF INNOVATION School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE)


Live life to the fullest. Do not limit yourself, be adventurous and open to learning and

doing new things.-motto that Prof Chen lives by

Why should students pursue an education in Engineering?

Firstly, I would like to dispel the notion that engineers do not make as much money as their counterparts in other fields. Engineers do make as much money as their peers from other disciplines. According to the MOE Graduate Employment Survey 2014, the mean gross monthly salary of our engineering graduates is on par with those of other disciplines. Graduates from certain engineering disciplines, such as Aerospace Engineering and Computer Engineering, even command a higher mean gross monthly salary as compared to peers in other fields.

Secondly, engineers are excellent problem solvers. If you aspire to help improve the world and society we live in, you should pursue a career in engineering. Engineers solve problems and invent new ways for the betterment of people and the world we live in.

Why NTU CoE?

At NTU CoE, we have a very strong network of renowned and reputable partner universities such as University of California, Berkeley and Imperial College, London. This robust network provides students with various overseas opportunities for education and beyond. For instance, students can embark on overseas exchange study from a semester to a year as well as participate in overseas conferences, competitions and community projects. Through these experiences, students are able to gain a global and cross-cultural perspective.

Even on campus, NTU is a microcosm of the real world, with students and faculty of multi-nationalities, actively engaged in the exchange of ideas and cultures.

We are very much in tune with the industry needs and demands and are constantly looking at developing innovative yet relevant programmes that give our students an added advantage over peers. For instance, we are the first and only tertiary education institution in Singapore to offer a 2nd Major in Food Science and Technology and the first to offer Engineering with a 2nd Major in Business.

As a young and dynamic college, we are actively engaged in advanced research. This is where you will be at the forefront of research and where engineering innovations shine.

If engineering is your calling, then you need to be in a place where research is dynamic and engineering innovations shine. And this place is NTU CoE.

How do students get the best out of the education at CoE?

Make full use of the platforms and opportunities available to explore out of your comfort zone to try something new, different and challenging. More importantly, network among yourselves. The ‘people network’ established during your time here may turn out to be the most valuable thing after you have graduated.

Martin Yong , winner of the Unilever Sustainability Living Challenge 2015

Life at CoEUnilever Sustainability Living Challenge 2015

“Winning the challenge has been an incredibly fulfilling experience and I am truly grateful for the opportunity. The essence of the challenge - and one I’m struggling with most - is to apply a rigorous engineering approach to solving problems and package it to meet business feasibility. Studying in MSE has definitely shaped my mind-set to see problems as potentials and forged a deeper analytical thinking.” Held for the third consecutive year, the Unilever Sustainability Living Challenge is part of Unilever’s Sustainability Living Plan to double the company’s size while halving environmental footprint and increasing positive social impact by 2020. This year, five teams (each consisting of 1 or 2 persons) from NTU, NUS and SMU reached the finals of the Challenge.

Martin Yong from MSE emerged as the overall winner for the Unilever Sustainability Living Challenge 2015. His winning idea was to reduce the use of sachets in developing countries. Martin pointed out that more than half of Unilever’s sales of shampoos, body soaps and detergent are in sachets. He proposed to reduce this through his vending machine, the Handy Vendi. Inspired by a 7-Eleven Big Gulp machine, this machine will dispense measured amounts of these liquids for any payment. This will save on packing and will promote the reuse of containers to collect these liquids.


People and Events

Amazing EngineeringDay 2015

Early this June, the College, together with the 6 engineering schools, organised our very first Amazing Engineering Day for prospective JC 1 and Year 5 IP students. The one-day event received overwhelming response from 14 JCs and IP schools, with over 170 participants.

Participants cheering before the start of the race (Left) and students at SCE’s OsCar challenge (Right)

Networking session with faculty, staff and students (Left) and participants at the tea reception (Right)

SCBE’s Chem E-Car in action (Left) and participants at EEE’s challenge (Right)

The event aimed to expose the students to various aspects of engineering, as well as to cultivate their interest in engineering. The students were given a warm welcome by the Dean followed by an introduction to the College and the respective schools under its wing. The morning programme was also accompanied by a lively Q&A session.

The highlight of the day was the 3-hour amazing race challenge, where participating teams underwent a mind-boggling and exciting journey around campus. From SCE’s robot programming to building electronic structures at EEE’s challenge, teams were fascinated by the hands-on activities they were able to experience. A VJC student gave a thumbs-up for EEE’s Electric Dough challenge, “It was a good mix of applying science and design, where we got to make our own workable yet aesthetically appealing structures.”

At SCBE and MAE, participants had an exciting and fun time trying their hands at the Chem E-Cars and foam planes respectively. “I get to apply the knowledge on something I can build and see in action,” shared a student from SRJC, on MAE’s challenge. CEE’s quiz on water treatment processes and MSE’s Challenge on testing tensile strength of various polymer materials also imparted new knowledge to the participants.

The top 3 teams of the race challenge walked away with CapitaMall vouchers and the remaining teams received certificates of participation. At the end of the challenge, the participants get to network with the faculty, staff and current students over a scrumptious tea reception.

We would like to thank all participating schools, faculty, staff and student helpers who helped make our first Amazing Engineering Day a great success!


Drawing Inspiration from Squid’s Beak for Knee and Hip ImplantsCurrent cartilage implants have some shortcomings. They are very soft and tend to break down, loosen and come off easily. However, Prof Ali Miserez and his team at MSE may have found the solution to this problem.

They discovered that the squid’s beak, made up of proteins and interlinked chitin fibres, is tough at one end to allow the creature to chop and slice up prey, but becomes gradually softer as it enters the mouth, so that it does not bite into the animal’s soft flesh.

The squid is able to process the proteins into a very concentrated liquid solution which then diffuses through the chitin fibres and cures when there is a change in conditions such as pH level. This property, if duplicated, could be used to make strong composite binders. This could be the key to next-generation knee and hip implants, which would be more comfortable and durable than those available now.

Pushing Research Frontiers Science and Engineering

An inside peek at the squid’s beak

Ultra high-quality switching-class D amplifier

NTU Chip Set to Delight Music BuffsA team led by Prof Joseph Chang of EEE invented an ultra-high-quality chip which can tolerate a lot more “noise” from other components in a device, such as microprocessors or 4G antennas. With reduced distortion, sound quality can be significantly improved with better output and cleaner sound. The microchip is also more efficient and cheaper to make than existing ones on the market.

Prof Chang estimated that with the new chip, which is 20 per cent smaller than ones commonly found in electronic devices now, a manufacturer producing 300 million pieces a year could save US$3 million (S$4.1 million). The team is in talks with at least five chip firms to license the product. It has also filed seven patents and published more than 10 papers in academic journals.

The chip could soon be used in products such as wireless headphones, audio amplifiers, car audio systems and TV sets. It is also being tested in radiation chambers at a space components company in the United States, for possible use in satellites.

Engineering behind the chip

The design for this chip was based on mathematical formulas. As explained by Prof Chang, “Every electronic device has limitations, or errors. We fixed some of these with simple electronics based on complex mathematics.”


Innovation in Action

Interesting Final Year Projects (FYPs) of SCE Students Implementation of a Stochastic Routing Service

Yang Wanqing’s final year project was a collaboration with BMW Group and the Intelligence Mobility research team at NTU-BMW Future Mobility Lab. Her project’s aim was to develop a stochastic traffic router to be integrated into BMW’s traffic simulator, QTrip, at Germany, while assisting the team’s visualisation needs on road maps, such as graph clustering. In contrast to the conventional shortest path or the shortest travel time routing, the stochastic routing algorithms recognised the uncertainties of traffic with the goal of maximising the probability of arrival on time.

This project has also been selected for the “FYP Award for Best Scientific Research” during the 1st BMW Scientific Workshop, held on 6 March 2015 at the NTU-BMW Future Mobility Research Lab.

Virtual Piano

Muhammad Nadzir Bin Azmi’s final year project was to transform a normal piece of paper into a playable piano. The only items required were a mobile phone and a piece of paper printed with an octave of piano keys. An iOS application has been developed, which uses an image processing touch screen for the transformation. It has been implemented by detecting the texture of a pressed finger through gray level co-occurrence characteristic.

CupCare – A smart cup to remind the elderly to take medicines properlyA team of 5 EEE students, mentored by Prof Er Meng Joo, participated in the Community Category of the Innovation Challenge 2015 organised by the Institution of Engineers Singapore (IES). They won the silver award (the highest award for this category) for their project.

Named CupCare, this is a cup equipped with advanced built-in technologies to remind the elderly to take medicine. It is compact and easy to use. Caregivers only need to upload the names and usages of the medicine that need to be taken to CupCare via Bluetooth. When it is time for medication, the buzzer inside the cup will start alerting the elderly and the screen above the cup will show the name and amount of the medicine that should be taken. The alert will automatically stop when the cup is held at the alerting mode.

CupCare has more features besides the aforementioned functions. The temperature sensor inside the cup will indicate the temperature of the liquid with different light colours. CupCare can also be used as a night light. With so many functions rolled into one, it is no wonder that CupCare is a winner!

User interface of the stochastic routing service

Buzz! Time for medication

The simple set-up of the virtual piano

Science and Engineering


People and Events

Celebrating 50 Years of Engineering Pioneers in Singapore

Supported by the SG50 Celebration Fund, “Celebrating 50 Years of Engineering Pioneers in Singapore”, is a series of exhibitions on Singapore’s engineering sector, to showcase the Pioneers’ many achievements in developing the modern city of Singapore. NTU College of Engineering is glad to be a partner in presenting this exhibition that celebrates some of our nation’s pioneers who’ve made it happen and helped to put Singapore on the global map. Held on NTU Campus from 24 August to 6 September 2015, students and staff had the invaluable opportunity to find out more about these engineers, educators, manufacturers, and scientists who have worked tirelessly to develop our city-state into the marvel that it is today.

The exhibition also features our very own NTU pioneers:

• Prof Freddy Boey (Deputy President and Provost, NTU and Professor, MSE) for his contributions in the biomedical arena and inventions of biomedical devices such as the fully biodegradable heart stent

• Prof Low Kay Soon (Professor, EEE and Director of Satellite Research Centre (SaRC)) for his work and contributions in Satellite Engineering

• Prof Seah Hock Soon (Professor, SCE and Director of the Multi-plAtform Game Innovation Centre (MAGIC)) for his contributions in the animation software sector and creation of CACANi (Computer-assisted Cel Animation), a 2D animation software that speeds up production

• Prof Teoh Swee Hin (Chair, SCBE and Director, Renaissance Engineering Programme) for his contributions in tissue engineering

Overview of the exhibition

Visitors trying their luck at the quiz

Life at CoEFar Away from Home

Aw Zhi Hao from EEE had the privilege to study at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow in Scotland for 2 semesters. We asked him about his overseas exchange experience and find out what exciting and meaningful activities he did during his stay.How were lessons being conducted at the University of Strathclyde?

Lectures were conducted like any other universities. However, there was no recording and photo-taking was not allowed for some lectures.

Tutorial classes were huge with approximately 50 to 75 students in a class and 4 to 5 technical assistants (graduates) walking around to answer questions. Students were encouraged to complete their tutorials before classes so that they can raise questions during lesson time. Zhi Hao (Left) with his project teammates

The exhibition received overwhelming response from both students and staff over the 2 week period. There was a high level of participation in the quiz and interest in the products and prototypes on display. We are sure that all students and staff were inspired by the stories and contributions of these pioneer engineers who have made a difference to the country we live in and improved our lives.

The exhibition was showcased in SIM before arriving in NTU. After NTU, the exhibition will move to Singapore Polytechnic in late October, Nanyang Polytechnic in early November before making its final stop at the National Library Board Main Library in late November 2015.


Share with us your project work experience.

Working with the Scottish for project work was really enjoyable. This was a rare opportunity to learn and work with people from another country. One of the best things about this project was the opportunity to fabricate our very own Printed Circuit Board (PCB) once we deemed our prototype was working correctly.

Besides studies, were there any other exciting activities that you did?

I joined the Strathclyde University Mountaineering Club for their trip to Cobbler and Beinn Narnian. This was my first time climbing a mountain of 3000ft in the highlands and the view was magnificent.

People and EventsSCE Techfest 2015

The SCE Techfest 2015 was held on 17 February 2015 at the Nanyang Auditorium Foyer. The purpose of the annual Techfest is to create an awareness on the latest gadgets and technologies available to all students and faculty in NTU. Organised by the Computer Engineering Club (CEC) and in collaboration with SCE, the Techfest serves as a valuable venue for the public to discover the importance on the usage of technology and its benefits to society today. SCE Chair, Prof Thambipillai Srikanthan, hosted the event which attracted a turnout of about 450 people. There was a series of activities lined up for all participants such as CEC Hackathon Competition, stage games, console gaming contests and Instagram contests.

The CEC Hackathon Competition was a 2 hour competition with multiple challenges and problems that were painstakingly crafted by the SCE academic staff. It provides an excellent platform for SCE students to pit their programming skills against other fellow students.

Apart from SCE students showcasing their final year projects, SCE Techfest 2015 also attracted over 30 professional groups, exhibiting their interesting technologies at the booths. Participating organisations included DSO National Laboratories, ArrowDynamic Laboratories, Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology, FYND etc. DSO National Laboratories brought along technologies that were used by the military and demonstrated how such technology is relevant in our daily life while ArrowDynamics Laboratories displayed a flight simulator and many small flying gadgets.

SCE Techfest in 2016 will explore more exciting activities such as cyber gaming and laser tag competition. Stay tuned for further updates! Photos as keepsakes of SCE Techfest 2015

Visitors checking out the wide range of advanced gadgets on display

Gathering with friends made on the overseas exchange

What did you gain from this overseas exchange programme?

The greatest benefit would be the friends I made during this exchange programme. They come from various parts of the world - Brazil, Germany, Greece, Scotland, America, Japan, China, Malaysia and Singapore.

I have also learnt to be more independent. This is the first time that I was far away from home and it made me realise how I have taken for granted the simple things in life such as laundry and cleaning. It is also my first time travelling around UK for weeks alone, talking to strangers and finding my way around.

To sum it all up, this exchange has definitely made me more independent and confident to face future challenges.

During the second semester, I joined the Scottish charity and voluntary organisation - Food Train, helping with the purchase and delivery of grocery to elderly. Working and interacting with passionate volunteers from all ages, travelling to different corners of Glasgow to collect their shopping lists and helping them with their daily chores really made my day.


Catch Us

College of EngineeringNanyang Technological University70 Nanyang DriveBlock N1.3-B1-01Singapore 637457

Dean’s OfficeTel: +65 6316 8896Fax: +65 6896 8757Email: [email protected]

Convergence Team

www.coe.ntu.edu.sg

Connect with UsLike us on our Facebook page at facebook.com/NTUCollegeOfEngineering

Life at CoENTU EEE LEADNepal OCIP 2014

A group of 15 students and 1 staff from EEE’s Leadership, Enrichment and Development (LEAD) programme went on an Overseas Community Involvement Project (OCIP) to Nuwakot, Nepal from 13th to 22nd December 2014. The OCIP consisted of activities such as interaction with the locals and students, teaching, cooking, painting and plastering works at the Shree Bhairabi Higher Secondary School.

The first activity was the plastering and painting of the classrooms. Back in Singapore, cement is usually made with a commercial cement mixer, thus it was an eye-opener for the team to learn how to mix water, cement powder and sand to arrive at the final mixture.

Another highlight of the trip was teaching the students in Grade 10 (average age of the students was 16). The students were taught to make a miniature scale motor using common items based on the theory of magnetic induction. They were also given different coloured plasticine and bamboo sticks to create their own solar systems. In

the second session, the team carried out a cultural exchange with the class. The team shared with the students some of the festivals celebrated in Singapore and the students, their native festivals. Thereafter, the students were introduced to childhood games played in Singapore such as flag eraser, hopscotch and marbles. The students were happy to participate and it was evident that they enjoyed themselves tremendously.

Clothes and stationery were donated to the school on the last day, and it was definitely a touching moment when the school prepared a mini farewell celebration to show appreciation for the team’s hard work.

Through this OCIP, the team learnt the importance of problem solving and critical thinking skills as there were several unforeseen situations that occurred during the trip. It had also taught the team the importance of good leadership as well as management of time. It was undoubtedly a memorable trip for everyone as the team had accomplished all the objectives set out and experienced for themselves how the Nepalese carry out their daily activities.

We are deeply saddened by the destruction and loss of life caused by the devastating earthquakes that hit Nepal on 25 April and 12 May 2015. Our hearts go out to the Nepalese and all the families affected by these tragedies.

“This OCIP provided an opportunity for me to venture out of my comfort zone and take up great responsibilities. As a trip leader, I had to constantly

make important decisions that will affect all the members in the trip. I am happy that the trip I

organised not only made a difference to the local community in Nepal, it also helped in forging long

lasting friendships within the group.”

- Sara, Year 3, EEE

“This OCIP trip has been an enriching and unique experience. The cultural exchange, interaction and

activities conducted for the locals have been nothing short of eye-opening. This trip, as a whole, has

allowed me to better appreciate the little things in life.”

- Chia Liang, Year 3, EEE

A group photo before setting off Students trying their hands on the miniature scale motor

CONVERGENCE NTU College · 2015-11-13 · 082 Convergence Issue 04, 2015 3 Convergence Issue 04,...

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