> Research HighlightsNTU, an established tertiary institution with 12 schools, is a research-intensive university ranked among the top 50 in the world. Our culture of research excellence nurtures and promotes scientifi c and intellectual interactions between researchers from various disciplines to work together on emergent key research areas of strategic importance.

NTU is also conducting high impact research, both in basic and applied research, world-wide and responding to industrial needs by providing value-added technological know-hows, R&D consultancy and manpower training. We are creating a name internationally for our efforts in clean energy and environment as well as developing the world-fi rst inventions. We are also at the forefront of Singapore’s life sciences initiative aiming for the development of new strategies to combat the huge range of diseases. Let’s unzip NTU’s research potential!

> Environment & Energy

NTU Spin-Off Supports Singapore’s Push towards Becoming Global Environmental Technology Hub

NTU announced the launch of IESE Pte Ltd, a private company that will provide value-added research and commercialization services in environmental technology (ET) for the industry, on 3rd August 2005. IESE Pte Ltd, previously the Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering under NTU, will now be a self-sustaining commercial research company pursuing a bigger slice of the growing ET market world-wide. The timely launch of IESE Pte Ltd will help position Singapore well to be an Environmental Technology Hub. The company, headed by Prof Tay Joo Hwa from the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) will be supported by a team of highly experienced researchers in this fi eld. It was established as a Centre of Excellence for Environmental Science & Engineering in 2001. IESE acts as a receptacle for innovative environmental technologies (ET) and provides value-added research, development and deployment of these ET through its four research centres – Water & Membrane, Clean Energy, Marine & Resource Recovery and Environmental Engineering. The aim of IESE is to create, innovate and conduct basic research to accelerate commercialization that will establish Singapore as an ET hub for environmental science and engineering.

NTU Team Turns Food Waste to Fuel

A research team led by Assoc Prof Wang Jing-Yuan from School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) has come up with a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly way of converting food scraps into valuable hydrogen, biogas, and fertilizer. The research team has received grants from government and private sector to fund this research project on bioconversion of food waste into energy and useful materials. The team’s modifi ed two-phase anaerobic digestion system not only “digests” the waste to provide an alternative solution to waste management, but also creates a sustainable, decentralized energy source.

The mini pilot-scale HASL system

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Ultrasound Treatment of Sludge for Anaerobic Digestion

Municipal and industrial wastewater sludge is often stabilized through anaerobic digestion for safe disposal or applications. The research work led by Assoc Prof Show Kuan Yeow from the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) examines the feasibility of ultrasound pre-treatment of sludge for enhanced anaerobic digestion, and to establish optimum sonication conditions for a cost-effective pre-treatment. The results have demonstrated that destruction of sludge fl ocs and conversion of complex organics into soluble forms, as well as bacterial cell wall rupture releasing ezo-enzymes to biocatalyse hydrolytic reactions could be derived from ultrasonication. In addition, when the digesters are fed with the sonicated sludge, there is enhanced biochemical degradation. Thus, besides the improvement in cost saving, ultrasound pre-treatment also increases the energy yield derived from the improved biogas production.

Microscopic photographs showing sludge structure of untreated sludge (left) and sonicated sludge (right) 1000X

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Tropical Weather

In December 2001, equatorial Southeast Asia records her 1st Typhoon, Vamei, at 1.5°N of latitude.

The simulation of extreme-weather events in the equatorial Southeast Asia is especially challenging given the sparse observational network in this region of the world. Nonetheless, Asst Prof Koh Tieh Yong from the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (SPMS) in collaboration with Prof Lim Hock of Temasek Laboratories @ National University

COAMPS simulation of Typhoon Vamei at 00:00 GMT on 27 December 2001, initialized 24 hours earlier with global model data and updated with observations every 12 hour. Arrows represent winds and contours denote absolute vorticity. All data has been averaged from 950mb level (about 0.5 km high) to 850mb level (about 1.5km high). The asterisk marks the centre of the cyclone.

MODIS-TERRA satellite picture of Typhoon Vamei wreaking havoc on the Malay Peninsula at 03:33 GMT on 27 December 2001. (With courtesy from Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing, National University of Singapore.)

of Singapore, were able to simulate such events with the COAMPS® (Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System ) model. With the help of the simulated model data, diagnostics of absolute vorticity (a measure of the local rotation of air in an inertial frame) are performed. Results indicated that the impressive absolute vorticity of the air at such low latitudes was transported from higher tropical latitudes by the cold surge off the coast of Vietnam.

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NTU Micro Fuel Cells

A research team led by Assoc Prof Chan Siew Hwa from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) has developed the technology for a new type of micro fuel cells that could well be an environmentally friendly alternative to batteries. The new cells are also two times more durable than conventional batteries. They are also different from similar fuel cells in the market in that they are suitable for low cost mass production, resulting in cost savings for manufacturers and their end consumers. This was achieved through NTU’s breakthrough technology, making it possible to use only plastic components instead of conventional metal components. A patent (Nguyen N.T., Chan S.H., 2005, Pattern Molding of Molding of Polymeric Flow Channels for Micro Fuel Cells, Nguyen Nam Trung, United States, (Full patent pending)) has been fi led for mass production of key components of micro fuel cell and the team is confi dent of

their invention’s potential commercial applications which include all products that are currently using batteries as portable power sources.

Components of the micro fuel cell

The fabricated micro fuel cell

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Novel High-Effi ciency Compressor

A new compressing mechanism with a high mechanical effi ciency has been invented by a graduate student, Teh Yong Liang, and his supervisor, Assoc Prof Ooi Kim Tiow from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE). Initial evaluation shows that this novel design employing the radical mechanism achieves a substantial performance improvement over existing

compressors for air-conditioning and refrigerators systems. The capacity of the compressor determines its dimension. For the case of a room air-conditioner of 5 kW cooling capacity, the overall length is 0.3m long and 0.14 m in diameter. The invention has been fi led a Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) by the University and is currently under development by an overseas compressor company.

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“The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science. Albert Einstein (The World As I See It, 1931)”

> Engineering Science & Physical Science

Two possible ice confi gurations for the low-temperature proton ordered counterpart of ice-III. The structure on the top is suggested by neutron diffraction experiments and the structure on the bottom is obtained from calculations.

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Understanding Ice Physics through First Principle Calculations

In spite of the importance of water across different disciplines in science and the fact that water is one of the most studied materials to date, many of its fascinating properties keep surprising physicists and chemists. One of such issues concerns the orientation of water molecules in ice. Out of the thirteen “crystalline” phases known to date, nine of them are so-called “glassy” states in terms of H-bond orientations. In other words, ordinary ice is not a crystal in a rigorous sense. This common and intrinsic disorder in the H-bond network of ice is related to many fundamental questions in ice physics (such as the residual entropy of ice). It also causes tremendous amount of diffi culties in precise determination of the structure of water by neutron diffraction experiments.

The research work pursued by Asst Prof Kuo Jer-Lai from the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (SPMS) is developing theoretical tools in conjunction with fi rst principle methods to shed new lights on some of the long lasting problems in ice physics.

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Femtosecond laser pulses are used to study the ultrafast dynamics of chemical and biological systems

A quantum computer is any device for computation that makes direct use of distinctively quantum mechanical phenomena, such as superposition and entanglement, to perform operations on data. In a classical (or conventional) computer, the amount of data is measured by bits (namely 0 or 1); in a quantum computer, it is measured by qubits. Prime number factorization is important in industry as there are existing security protocols that rely on the diffi culty of factorizing large numbers. Since then, substantial efforts have therefore been made to develop the corresponding quantum technologies ranging from linear optical devices to optical lattices to spintronics. Assoc Prof Kwek Leong Chuan from the National Institute of Education (NIE), together with scientists at Imperial College introduced a hybrid architecture based on both stationary qubits (e.g. single photon sources made out of trapped atoms, molecules, ions, quantum dots, or defect centers in solids) and fl ying qubits (e.g. photons) which promises to overcome the limitations of linear optical devices.

A Repeat-Until-Success Quantum Computing Scheme

Experimental realization of a universal two-qubit gate for the network of single photon sources (stationary qubits). Two photons pass within their coherence time through a linear optics

network which performs a certain photon pair measurement.

Ultrafast Vibrational Spectroscopy of Chemical and Biological Systems

In the ultrafast vibrational spectroscopy group led by Asst Prof Tan Howe-Siang from the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (SPMS), state-of-the-art laser technology is used to probe the femtosecond and picosecond time-resolved dynamics of various chemical and biological systems.

The research group is currently studying the ultrafast dynamics of water molecules associated with biological molecules. The behaviour of these nanoscopically confi ned water molecules is different from the behaviour of normal water molecules in a bulk environment. The measurements of the rate of breaking and reformation of the water hydrogen bond networks and water molecule reorientation will allow us to better understand the functions and dynamics of the associated bio-molecules.

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Rapid advancement of telecommunication systems has sparked ever-increasing demands for high performance RF components with small size, low cost and high integration capability with ICs. Based on SOI technology, RF resonators with frequencies beyond 5MHz have been realized by Assoc Prof Lin Rongming from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE). Test results have been shown that the device has potential to be further developed for commercial applications. Further research on optimization and packaging issues is currently under way. This project has been carried out with Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) fabrication assistance from the A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research) Institute of Microelectronic.

Development of High Performance SOI-Based μ-Mechanical Resonators

Frequency characteristics of the presently developed SOI-based resonator

The research team of three professors: Prof Do Manh Anh, Assoc Prof Ma Jian-Guo and Assoc Prof Yeo Kiat Seng, from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), have developed the world’s smallest transformer for electronic devices, paving the way to miniaturization and increased cost savings in the manufacture of such devices. A transformer (or commonly called a balun) has traditionally been a separate component outside of the IC chip. The researchers have successfully integrated the transformer into the IC chip, thus allowing the manufacturer to save both space and production costs. The balun developed by the NTU team is only about fi ve times the average thickness of a human hair while conventional baluns are typically three times larger than NTU’s invention. The team’s future work moves towards the creation of a

“system-on-chip” where all electrical and electronic components will be incorporated into a single chip.

Features of the world’s smallest Chip Balun:• Smallest size in the world• Widest band to cover all the mobile & 2.45GHz wireless - GSM900/1800 - Bluetooth - GPRS (2.5G) - WLAN - CDMA - 3G - GPS• First single-ended balun on standard CMOS• Can be integrated with normal chip• Good amplitude and phase balance• Tunable by using MIM capacitor

NTU Develops World’s Smallest Integrated Circuit (IC) Transformer

World’s Smallest on Chip Balun (0.27mm x 0.27mm)

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Assoc Prof Zhang and his AiP technology

Communication Devices to Shrink with NTU Technology

The most common powerplant for modern aircraft is the gas turbine engine (GTE). In GTEs, both the compressor and turbine sections have a series of discs with blades at the outer edge, and common connections between the blades and disc are the dovetail and fi r tree connections. In order to understand and predict crack nucleation and crack growth for this multifaceted contact problem, the complex thermal and mechanical loading of the system must be correctly accounted for. In

Photoelastic stress freezing results for an aeroengine performance disc, and a blade/disc dovetail connection.

A team led by Assoc Prof Zhang Yue Ping from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) has pioneered the development of Antenna-in-Package (AiP) technology. The novel AiP technology integrates the function of an antenna with the radio-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) or “brain” into a standard surface-mounted device. When used in mobile phones, it will free up considerable space in mobile phones so that they could become smaller or pack in even more features using the same available space. The AiP has stirred up considerable interest from major US and European electronic companies such as IBM, Motorola, and Thales.

Advanced Techniques for Stress and Failure Analyses of Aeroengine Discs

Discretized blade-disc sectors withfi r tree connections

the research carried out by Prof Shaker A Meguid from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), advanced numerical techniques such as variational inequalities (VI) applied in a 3-D fi nite element framework are being used to obtain highly accurate self-consistent results for this challenging coupled problem. The outcome of this research will be used by GTE manufacturers to pre-empt the dire consequences of blade loss and catastrophic disc failure.

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A research team, led by Assoc Prof Eddie Ng and Dr NY Liu from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), has studied the distorted inlet fl ow propagation in the in-fl ight axial compressors in collaboration with the Air Logistic Department from RSAF (Republic of Singapore Air Force). A novel integral method has been developed and applied to the problems of distorted inlet fl ow due to fl amming of refueling leakage near jet engine inlet, investigating the relationships and effects that some of the key parameters have on the propagation of inlet distortion fl ow through the gas turbine. The fi ndings of the investigation indicate that the major parameter with the greatest infl uence on the inlet stall propagation is the ratio of drag-to-lift coeffi cient, followed by the inlet distorted velocity coeffi cient, and the inlet incidence angle being the least infl uential parameter.

Compressor characteristic with inlet distortion (Fuel leakage causes a lower pressure raise and mass fl ow rate, and would result in a rotating stall or even surge)

Modern engineering has seen a booming demand for analyzing complex engineering systems to unprecedented detail paralleled with an increasing reliance on numerical models for performance predictions. There remains a pressing need to assess and mitigate the effects of uncertainties in the design decision making process. Asst Prof Au Siu Kui from School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) and Asst Prof Daniel Thunnissen from School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE)

Mitigating Uncertainty in Complex Civil and Aerospace Systems

are developing formal techniques to propagate and mitigate uncertainty in complex engineering systems. This multi-disciplinary collaboration, funded by MOE, is currently developing effi cient simulation methods and general-purpose software for uncertainty analysis. These methods and software will be applied to a wide range of complex engineering systems including buildings, bridges, aircraft, and spacecraft.

Estimates in the uncertainty in critical engineering parameters, such as the propellant mass required by a spacecraft, are quantifi ed by techniques developed by Asst Prof Daniel Thunnissen and Asst Prof Au Siu Kiu.

Stall Prediction of an In-Flight Compressor Due to Flamming of Refueling Leakage Near Inlet

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Ferromagnetic shape memory alloys (FSMAs) are a new type of functional materials able to generate giant shape changes (up to 10% strain) under relatively low magnetic fi eld. Recent research carried out by the group led by Assoc Prof Liu Yong from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) showed that the reverse effect also exists and it can be improved through proper treatment. Thus, under the application of an external stress, the material will generate signifi cantly large changes

Realizing the Potential of Ferromagnetic Shape Memory Materials

of magnetization that can be detected through an external device. The magnitude of the magnetization can be signifi cantly enhanced through martensitic transformation. This investigation helps identifying the major infl uencing factors on the magnetization properties of FSMAs and to understand the related mechanisms. The results are very useful in optimizing both the mechanical properties and the magnetization properties of the FSMAs.

Schematic illustration of the FSMA experimental setup

Cyclic compressive deformation of a NiMnGa single crystal under external magnetic fi eld.

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The present understanding of materials phenomena is based on a hierarchy of physical descriptions, which span the space-time regimes of electrons, atoms (or molecules) and matter. These three space-time regimes are selectively characterized by a host of theories. However, in scientifi c and technological developments, the numerical simulations and analysis are typically performed with only one of these theories making it impossible to fully understand the material phenomena when based only on one theoretical model or theory. The challenges of developing methodologies, which produce highly accurate description, are still realizable with today’s high performance

Concurrent Coupling of Different Length- and Time-Scales Via Multiscale Materials Modeling

supercomputers. Asst Prof Ng Teng Yong from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) is using uses multiscale materials modeling (MMM) to meet this challenge. In these methods, the system to be investigated is divided into two or more sub-systems or sub domains. The various established theories are then applied simultaneously. Here, the most important and essential issue is the seamless transition between adjoining sub-systems described by the different selected methodologies, achieved by a process of developing suitable coupling handshaking regions in between the various divided domains/systems.

The physisorption and chemisorption of hydrogen onto carbon nanostructures: two-Level ONIOM for Interaction of Hydrogen Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes

Multiscale materials modeling (MMM) schemes being used to study the dynamics carbon nanotubes: TB/MD Multiscale Modeling of Carbon Nanotubes Under Axial Compression

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The research work led by Assoc Prof Sam Zhang from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), studies Al as a doping element in diamond-like carbon (DLC) amorphous matrix to relieve the deposition stresses. Nanocrystalline TiC grains are embedded through co-sputtering Ti to restore the DLC hardness. The coating thus developed is a nanocomposite DLC or nc-TiC/a-C(Al).

Diamond-Like Carbon-Based Nanocomposite as Protective Coatings

The nc-TiC/a-C(Al) coating has been deposited via magnetron sputtering for more than 20 μm-thick on a cast iron piston ring and out-perform the best commercial coating in engine test.

Assoc Profs Nguyen Nam-Trung, Franck Chollet and Charles Yang Chun, together with Mr Sumantri Lassemono, a student from the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (MAE), have fi led a patent (Nguyen N.T., Sumantri Lassemono , Franck Chollet, Yang Chun, Charles, 2005, Microfl uidic Sensor for Interfacial Tension Measurement, nil, United States. 60/662,811, 21. June 2005 (US provisional patent, (Full patent pending)) for the novel microfl uidic device and methods for quick measurements of interfacial surface tension with a minute amount of sample liquid. The invention allows the fast determination of dynamic interfacial tension of a liquid/liquid system or a gas/liquid system. The sensor chip can be designed for disposable use and easily be integrated in a more complex microfl uidic system. Besides the advantage of a fast analysis, a handheld measurement device with this sensor has the potential to replace all current desktop system for determining surface tension. Besides, this invention has potential applications in petroleum

Patent for Microfl uidic Sensor for Interfacial Tension Measurement

industry. Surface tension, contact angle, and CMC (Critical Micelle Concentration) of a surfactant play an important role in the displacement of oil from the pore spaces of sedimentary rocks, in wetting and dewetting of oil from sand grains, in dewatering in refi nery plants, and separation and fl otation in oil recovery. Feedback-controlled detergent dosing for washing machines is another big potential market of this sensor.

High resolution TEM image of nc-TiC/a-C(Al) nanocomposite coating

The polymeric sensor prototype with fl uidic and optical interconnects

This novel coating exhibits low residual stresses, very high adhesion strength and toughness, low friction, good thermal stability and excellent oxidation resistance while the hardness is maintained at an adequate level of 20 GPa. Such coatings have been synthesized for engineering applications as protective coatings.

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The High Energy Density Plasma Group at National Institute of Education (NIE) has developed the world’s most powerful, compact radiation source capable of producing radiations ranging from X-rays to energetic charged particles and neutrons on the nanosecond timescale. Asst Prof Paul Lee Choon Keat piloted the group’s efforts in managing and developing various devices and diagnostics for plasma and laser experiments. Assoc Prof Stuart Victor Springham led the group’s work on fusion

The World’s Most Powerful Compact Radiation Source

reactions with deuterium and helium-3 in the high energy density plasma, and on isotope production. Asst Prof Rajdeep Singh Rawat spearheaded the group’s research into novel plasma/radiation applications for materials processing, thin fi lm depositions and nanomaterial synthesis. The multi-disciplinary team was headed by Assoc Prof Augustine Tan Tuck Lee for X-ray micro-lithography and micro-machining work.

A dense plasma focus (DPF) device (NNSX2) is capable of producing high energy neutrons, electrons, ultraviolet radiation, and X-rays.

Scanning electron microscope micrograph of resist microstructures using X-ray lithography

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A Singapore invention by NTU’s Assoc Prof Adrian Cheok, who holds associate-professorship in School of Computer Engineering (SCE) as well as the new School of Art, Design and Media (ADM), has created waves at Wired NextFest 2005, an international technology show held in Chicago from 24-26 June 2005. His “Magic Land” and “Human Packman”, mixed reality systems that epitomize interactive gaming and art were the only invention from Singapore selected to be part of this prestigious event. His inventions were featured extensively by the international media at the show. Assoc Prof Adrian Cheok, together with his team, is currently developing a wide array of projects at NTU. This includes a high-tech jacket for children that allow travelling parents to hug their kids through the internet from afar.

“Magic Land” and “Human Pacman” Hailed as One of World’s Top Innovations at Technology Show

First Made-In-Singapore Drawing and Animation Software

The research team of eight NTU staff members and students led by Assoc Professor Seah Hock Soon, Dean of the School of Computer Engineering (SCE), NTU, has scored a fi rst for Singapore with an innovative piece of drawing and animation software. With this NTU software, designers only need to sketch the fi rst and fi nal frame of picture compared to other software where designers have to sketch a series of many intermediate movements or frames to achieve a smooth sequence of animation. Using these two key frames, the NTU software will generate all the intermediate frames needed to make up the fi nal frame or picture, saving the animator much time. The research team is now in commercialization talk with a world market leader for pen tablets. Looking ahead, the team is working towards enhancing their drawing and animation software such that it can also be used for 3D animation.

Assoc Prof Adrian Cheok is creating whole new forms of entertainment for us

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The terrorism informatics research group of NTU had developed software that automated and sped up the process of gathering and analyzing terrorism data from the Internet. The group, comprising staff from the Centre for Advanced Information Systems at the School of Computer Engineering, and Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, had won the best paper award at the 3rd IEEE International

NTU Team Develops Super Search Engine to Trawl for Terror Data

The work done by Assoc Prof Brian Stephen Wong from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) was aimed at developing a theoretical model and software to generate radiographic techniques. The results can then replace the current trial and error procedures used prior to shooting an x-ray image, to improve the quality of the output. A 3D surface fi tting algorithm was developed to connect the radiographic variables mathematically. These variables included exposure, material thickness and kilovoltage. Suitable techniques could be composed virtually instantaneously for any application.

A Powerful Theoretical Model and Software for Generation of Radiographic Techniques

Conference on Intelligence and Security Informatics in the United States recently. Their program cuts down on research time and is an intelligent system that can, over time, learn to extract more terrorist-related patterns and nuances from websites. Led by Assoc Prof Lim Ee Peng, members of the winning team are Assoc Prof Rohan Gunaratna, Mr Ong Teng Kwee, Asst Prof Chang Kuiyu, and Mr Sun Zhen.

The main strength of the system is the ability to select the optimized kilo-voltage setting which governs the maximum defect contrast, or maximum sensor latitude achievable, or a mixture of the two. The software can also be utilized to convert radiographs into thickness-measuring tools, as the grey levels of all radiographic images can be converted into theoretically accurate measurements of specimen thicknesses. This is a collaboration project between NTU and General Electric (GE), USA.

Thickness plots of an aluminum step-wedge

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Singapore’s First Locally Developed Automated Page-Turner

invention won the Gold Prize at the NTU EEE Design and Innovation Project Competition in June 2005. These are products from applied research. Students have integrated the high-end embedded electronic technology into their innovative mechanical designs. Research is still ongoing for further enhancements in order to make the page-turner more intelligent. A second generation prototype page-turner for 2-way turning has been developed by two other students: Ms Pattarin Kusolpalin and Mr Lenny Chia. They are currently researching the page pickup material and control algorithm aspects.

Prototype page turner

Twenty Students from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), under the supervision of Assoc Prof Eddie Wong Moon Chung, have developed two innovative automated page-turners, a Singapore fi rst. The invention is also believed to be the world’s lightest and most affordable automated page-turner, an electro-mechanical device that turns pages of books or music scores automatically by means of a remote control signal. The page-turners indeed provide practical solutions for musicians and disabled persons, and have great market potential with good impact to society. The

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> Life Sciences

Control of TAK1 in Infl ammation

Diseases where the underlying cause is due to uncontrolled infl ammation include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, septic shock and infl ammatory bowel syndrome. Currently, the research group led by Asst Prof Peter Cheung from the School of Biological Sciences (SBS) is investigating the mechanism of activation of an intracellular signaling molecule called TAK1 which is activated by pro-infl ammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1

(IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)and also by bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS). In the cell, TAK1 exists in two different complexes as TAK1-TAB1-TAB2 or TAK1-TAB1-TAB3. As TAK1 is a key component in transducing infl ammatory signals, inhibition of TAK1 by therapeutic means may be attractive as treatment for infl ammatory diseases.

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The group led by Assoc Prof Jaume Torres at the School of Biological Sciences (SBS) is studying simple membrane proteins and exploring how they interact with biological membranes, their organization and aggregation. The research group used both computational and biophysical methods. Prediction was based on molecular dynamics calculations that made use of conservative mutations found in nature. Biophysical methods include various spectroscopies

Structure and Organization of Transmembrane Proteins

such as infrared, circular dichroism, fl uorescence or Langmuir-Blodgett trough techniques. An example of their recent results is the pentameric model (see fi gure) of the envelope protein E from coronaviruses, which has a putative involvement in host apoptosis and virus morphogenesis. Another example is the rich and polivalent aggregation behavior of the transmembrane domains of the members of the integrin family with its functional implications.

Since the completion of Human Genome Project, thousands of hypothetical proteins were proposed through cDNA cloning and sequence analysis. Verifying the existence of these hypothetical proteins and understanding their functions are of fundamental importance in biology. More importantly, it may lead to the identifi cation of novel drug target for therapeutic interventions. The research team led by Asst Prof Valerie Lin from the School of Biological Sciences (SBS) has recently discovered that TTC9 protein is widely expressed in the human tissues. The gene expression of TTC9 in breast cancer cells can be inhibited by estrogen and induced by growth factors. Further investigation revealed that the expression levels of TTC9 in breast cancer tissues were much higher than the adjacent normal tissues. These fi ndings suggest that TTC9 is a functionally important protein.

A Novel Hormonally-Regulated Protein with a Tetratricopeptide Repeat is Overexpressed in Breast Tumor

Merge

TTC9

Rhodamine BTTC9 is localized mainly to the endoplasmic reticulum in breast cancer cells

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Towards the Design of Dengue Virus Antivirals

Overall fold of Dengue virus NS3 helicase

The great potential of human embryonic stem (hES) cells in basic research, regenerative medicine, and gene therapy is widely recognized. Controlled manipulation of hES cell genomes through sequence-specifi c DNA recombination (SSR) may play a signifi cant role in future hES cell applications. However, very little is known about the functionality of SSR systems in hES cells. Shen Mynn Tan (Ph.D student) and Assoc Prof Peter Dröge from the School of Biological Sciences (SBS) have demonstrated that mutant phage integrase, phage P1 Cre recombinase,

Comparative Analysis of Sequence-Specifi c DNA Recombination Systems in Human Embryonic Stem Cells

and mutant resolvase displayed distinct activities on their respective episomal substrates. Interestingly, co-factor independent integrase catalyzed the integrative pathway fi ve times more effi ciently than the excisive pathway. Such a degree of directionality in hES cells could be explored for sequential gene insertions into predetermined genomic sequences. They have also reported an improved easy-to-use plasmid transfection system which employs silica microspheres and, in combination with SSR, could be applied for hES cell genome engineering.

pAIR + pCMV pAIR + plntRecombination effi ciency in transfected cells: >70%

Assoc Prof Julien Lescar from the School of Biological Sciences (SBS), in collaboration with Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, was investigating the design of antiviral inhibitors against the dengue virus (and other fl aviviruses e.g., yellow fever virus, Japanese encephalitis and West Nile virus). The NS3 protein from Dengue virus is a multi-functional protein of 69 kDa with protease, helicase and nucleoside 5’ triphosphatase activities. Thus, NS3 plays a crucial role in viral replication and represents an interesting target for the development of specifi c antiviral inhibitors directed against its various enzymatic activities. The team has solved the structure of an enzymatically active fragment of the Dengue virus NTPase/helicase catalytic domain in several crystal forms. They have proposed a plausible model for the enzymatic mechanism which has been tested using structure-based site-directed

mutagenesis. Studies with antiviral compounds are currently underway.

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Despite extensive efforts worldwide, the fi ght against malaria has had only limited success. This is in part due to the sophisticated method the parasite uses to evade the host immune response. It is known that antigenic variation (the ability to change the way the parasite looks to the host immune system), plays an important part. Unfortunately, the ability to study antigenic variation in the human parasite is limited as it requires access to human patient samples. Alternative models were until now limited to work on monkey malaria, which is expensive and has a range of ethical issues associated with it. Assoc Prof Peter Rainer Preiser from the School of Biological Sciences (SBS), in collaboration with colleagues at the National Institute for Medical Research in the UK, have now characterized a suitable mouse model to study antigenic variation in plasmodium. This work identifi es a large gene family of variant parasite antigens that are

Mouse Malaria Model to Study Antigenic Variation

responsible for antigenic variation in the rodent malaria parasite P. yoelii. Interestingly, this gene family is closely related to genes found in the human parasite. The work has demonstrated that it is possible to use rodent malaria to study antigenic variation in malaria. The research team hopes that this fi nding will enable the team to make signifi cant progress in the development of an effective malaria vaccine.

Plasmodium infected red blood cells

>Biomedical Sciences and Healthcare

An Optical Approach for Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Monitoring

Experimental Model and Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Results.

Assoc Prof Yeo Joon Hock from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), supported with industrial funding from Glucostats System, has researched on the quantifi cation of glucose using infrared absorption. Knowing that glucose absorbs specifi c wavelengths from the

infrared light, Assoc Prof Yeo has developed a way of monitoring glucose. The test, named “Oral Glucose Tolerance Test”, was conducted using a high power laser diode and the results were feasible and promising.

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The research team led by Assoc Prof Yeo Joon Hock from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), has recently redesigned a pericardial valve mold that allows easier and faster implantation. In contrast to the previous model where three leafl ets were sutured separately to the aortic wall, the new valve mold has been designed for 3 Single Point Attached Commissure (SPAC), the surgical technique developed by Dr Wolfgang A Goetz, a visiting scientist at the School of MAE. The valve mold was designed and patented by Assoc Prof Yeo Joon Hock and Dr Lim Khee Hiang. A series of animal trials were carried out at the Department of Experimental Surgery, at the Singapore General Hospital. Dr Wolfgang and Dr Tan Teing Ee from the National Heart Centre were the leading surgeons for the animal trials.

Autologous Pericardial Stentless Aortic Valve Replacement a New Approach

Implanted Pericardial Valve / Reconstructed valve attachment at 3

points at the commissures post

A novel HIFU robotic system, the FUSBOTBS (Focal Ultrasound Surgery Robot- for Breast Surgery) has been devised by the team of Assoc Prof Sunita Chauhan from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), to assist non-invasive breast cancer surgery. With carefully chosen thermal dosage, it can ablate localized remote tissue structures, without harming the overlying normal tissues, and thus offers a potential modality for non-invasive surgery. FUSBOT is the fi rst robot prototype for non-invasive surgery of deep seated cancers of the human body using Focal Ultrasound Surgery. The use of robotic principles as surgically-assisted technology, particularly in the area of minimal invasive surgery may provide several advantages, notably - higher accuracy, precision and

A Robotic HIFU System for Non-invasive Surgery

repeatability in manipulating surgical instruments in desired locations. The system has undergone laboratory trials and successful pre-clinical trials on animal tissue with the clinical partners at the Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Germany.

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Over the past ten years, a research team led by Assoc Prof Teo Ee Chon from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), has created anatomically accurate fi nite element models of the human spine. The models are analyzed to predetermine the 3D fl exibility changes of normal and degenerated/injured spine, and validated against established in vitro experimental studies. They have helped and enhanced various relevant clinical and experimental studies and resulted in reduction of lead time and cost of implant devices design, and avoidance of ethical issues in the actual testing of cadaveric specimens. The models are also

Spinal Biomechanics Research

used to simulate “virtual” injuries to analyze the head-neck kinematics due to whiplash and ejection, with the aim of predicting injury, establishing safety standards and infl uencing the design of equipment and platforms.

The team has established a working relationship with the Defence Medical and Environment Research Institute (DMERI) of DSO National Laboratories. The research has also attracted tremendous interest from overseas research institutes and commercial entities whose interests are in the analysis of spinal related surgical and traumatic procedures.

Kinematics of Head-Neck complex during whiplash (0-150 ms)

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Due to osteoporosis, femur (or hip) fractures are a very common occurrence among elderly people. It would be a signifi cant benefi t if the subjects or patients who are at high risk of fracturing their femur could be identifi ed, or predicted with an adequate accuracy. The current methods being used for fracture prediction (DXA, QCT) are not accurate enough as they do not take into account the geometry of the patient’s femur, the loading conditions, and the distribution of material within them. With the increase of processor speeds and storage capacity of modern computers, CT-scan-based patient specifi c fi nite element (FE)

Modeling and Meshing from Medical Images

Reliable and Real-Time Patient-Specifi c Prediction of Femur Fracture

models have been demonstrated to have higher accuracy than the DXA and QCT in the fracture prediction.

Asst Prof Wang Desheng’s team from the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (SPMS), has developed geometry modeling from medical images and high quality tetrahedral meshing and aims to apply the advanced fi nite element techniques which include mesh adaptation and Algebraic Multi-grid method (AMG) to develop a reliable and real-time fi nite element simulation model for clinically oriented femur fracture prediction.

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Major advances in technology enable neuroscientists to collect complex datasets for investigating the more intricate workings of the human brain. The unobserved brain dynamics that give rise to the observed neuroimaging data is a highly complex process, which is generally non-stationary over both time (e.g., before and after epileptic seizure) and space (i.e. brain regions). The brain signals collected by these imaging methods are also massive. To extract meaningful information from such data present a great challenge to brain scientists, and call for novel data analytic methods, which must be able to extract local features of these non-stationary signals as well as be computationally effi cient. Asst Prof Ho Moon-Ho Ringo’s team from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS)

NTU-UK Team Score with a Possible World’s First Multi-purpose Haptic Chair

Development of New Statistical Methodology for Analyzing Brain Imaging Data

The SmartLab Center of the University of the Arts London (UAL) (UK) and NTU gameLAB of the School of Computer Engineering (SCE), has kicked off the development of the TRUST Project for KK Hospital. The TRUST Project is a game that involves assistive technology to help handicapped children in their rehabilitation process. These children who may not be able to play conventional games can immerse themselves in an equally exciting virtual

game environment through the use of a haptic-chair device and they can interact with game characters which are built from their own artwork. For those who are unable to move their limbs, the system can also be operated using voice and breath. The game contributes to the improvement of child patients in many realms-psychological, social and emotional-as a simple aid in the management of his or her illness or disability.

is currently developing statistical methods that are inter-connected through the use of time-frequency localized transforms, called the SLEX (Smooth Localized Complex Exponential) transform, which is well suited for modeling non-stationary brain signals. They aim to develop automatic methods for extracting important spectral features (brain signature) from the brain imaging data that can then be used for: (1) statistical comparisons across different experimental conditions and/or between different groups; (2) discrimination-classifi cation normal subjects and clinical patients; and (3) clustering neuroimaging data for understanding brain connectivity, and differences in connectivity between normal subjects and clinical patients.

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> Business and Communication

Nanyang Business School is Top Business School in Singapore

NTU Nanyang Business School (NBS) is the only business school in Singapore to be ranked among the Top 10 MBA programmes by the prestigious Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). It is ranked 4th in Asia (excluding Australasia) and 83rd in the world, moving up 10 notches compared to 2004 when it was ranked 93rd. The Economist Intelligence Unit has been surveying MBA programmes for 17 years now. Business schools are assessed based on factors such as quality of faculty, quality of students, student diversity, the education experience, feedback from recruiters, salary increase after graduation, potential for networking and alumni involvement.

The Nanyang MBA offers a unique mix of global perspective and Asian focus, giving participants a strong foundation to conduct business in and from the Asia-Pacifi c region. NBS recently inked landmark collaboration with Waseda University, Japan’s premier University, to launch the NTU-Waseda Double MBA in Management of Technology. It also has collaboration with MIT Sloan School of Management for the Nanyang Fellows MBA programme. In addition, it has double masters programmes with the prestigious ESSEC Business School in Paris, well-known for its innovative approach to management, and the University of St. Gallen focusing on Strategy and International Management.

New Game Study Receives International Attention

A new study on online gaming conducted by Lecturer Marko Skoric, School of Communication and Information (SCI), and Dmitri Williams from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has been cited by numerous international news organizations, including The Economist, The Washington Post and The New York Times. In brief, the researchers

found that the exposure to violent online fantasy video games did not cause any substantial real-world aggression. The results support the claim of those who suggest that some violent games do not necessarily lead to increases in aggressive behavior. But researchers also indicate that other types of games and contexts might lead to negative effects.

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Assoc Prof Krishnamurthy Sriramesh, School of Communication and Information (SCI), was honored with the PRIDE award given by the National Communication Association based in the U.S.A. The jury recognized his book “The Global Public Relations Handbook” as the best book in public relations and communication management published worldwide

The Global Public Relations Handbook

Ordering Chaos: Regulating the Internet

Assoc Prof Ang Peng Hwa, Dean, School of Communication and Information (SCI), published a book titled “Ordering Chaos : Regulating the Internet” challenging the earlier misconception that the Internet was incapable of being regulated and that it should stay that way. In the book, he argues that the internet can be and is being regulated and in fact should be regulated. Using real-life examples, the book shows the possibilities and limits

during the year. The Chair of the jury noted that “the committee unanimously selected your work due to its comprehensiveness and quality in an increasingly important area of public relations research… graduate students, faculty, researchers, and practitioners will want [this book] in their collection of essential texts.”

of the regulatory approaches, and explains why policy makers should take a light-handed approach to regulation, attempt alternative regulatory means, and let technology “settle” before passing legislation. The book was timely as it was completed during the discussions in the international Working Group on Internet Governance. Every member of the Working Group has been given a copy of the book.

Assoc Prof Ang Peng Hwa

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New Book by Assoc Prof Foo Check Teck

Prof Foo Check Teck (left) and Prof Kenji Kudou (centre) and artwork of “Duel of the Soul”

In August 2005, the Singapore Institute of Management organized the launch of Assoc Prof Foo Check Teck’s Duel of the Soul: Mind of Musashi. The novel was conceived some 20 years ago when he was a Singapore-Japan Government Fellow at the Japan Productivity Center, Tokyo. He also conceptualized the artwork for artist, Professor Kenji Kudou to produce the artwork as illustrations for his novel.

At the launch of his novel Assoc Prof Foo Check Teck from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) delivered to a packed audience, a lecture on the theme of the Mind of Sun Tzu versus Musashi.

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Asst Prof Pieter Aquilia from the School of Communication and Information (SCI), together with Dr. Trisha Dunleavy of Victoria University NZ, edited Popular Television Drama: Nation, Agency, Identity. The special issue of Media International Australia is a culmination of the “International Television Drama Project” which Aquilia and Dunleavy commenced in 2003. The project, which brought together a team of distinguished television drama researchers from Europe, Asia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America and the Middle East investigated the contemporary state of television drama in middle-sized television markets globally. Using both quantitative and qualitative research, the project reveals emerging trends in the cultural and industrial role of drama production in non-American countries. Participants have presented papers and panels at conferences in the US, Europe and Australasia, under the project banner.

International Television Drama Project

Asst Prof Pieter Aquilia

Documentary Video Praised as “Festival Fave” by METROsource Magazine, New York

Lecturer Nicole Lorraine Draper

The School of Communication and Information (SCI)’s Lecturer, Nicole Lorraine Draper’s Bachelor Farmer is an intimate look at how a few gay men negotiate the peculiarities of small-town living in rural Idaho. In a place so small (population of 369), no one can be a stranger. Being openly gay there isn’t easy, but part of daily life is dealing with diffi cult but necessary relationships. And these rural Americans tell it like it is: being out, but not too out; being patient with the slow evolution of politics; and making sure to keep fences mended, literally and fi guratively. An examination of outsider status and the struggle to be accepted, Bachelor Farmer is a rich story of community in the most unlikely of places.

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Sun Zi Bingfa

Prof Wee Chow Hou from the Nanyang Business School (NBS) launched his new book, “Sun Zi Bingfa: Selected Insights and Applications” on 26 August 2005 at the Fullerton Hotel. The event is sponsored by The Standard Chartered Bank of Singapore.

Performance Development & Training

Assoc Prof AAhad M. Osman-Gani from the Nanyang Business School (NBS) launched his book, “Performance Development & Training”. Training & Development (T&D) play signifi cant roles in unleashing human expertise through effective learning, and in initiating and managing change in organizations, whether business or government, profi t or non-profi t. High performing organizations have shown a history of higher resources allocations on employee T&D considering it as an investment in

human capital. The role of HRD/T&D professionals cannot be overemphasized in these times of constant changes in skills and knowledge requirements of employees, when skilled training/HRD professionals are scarce. These professionals play crucial roles in an environment of knowledge-based economy, where continuous performance improvement through lifelong learning has been identifi ed as the key for success and growth of all members of organizations.

The guest-of-honour was the bank’s local CEO, Ms Euleen Goh.This is the third major book by Prof Wee on the same subject, and it contains much of research, consulting and training materials that span a period of almost 20 years.

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Assoc Prof Chay Yue Wah from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) co-edited a new book “Knowledge Governance and Management in an Era of Globalisation: An Asian Perspective”, which examines the on-going shift towards a knowledge society/economy, its theoretical and empirical origins, the tension between the global knowledge market and local knowledge needs. The monograph is a collection of research and practitioner papers that addresses knowledge governance and knowledge systems from social, psychological and management perspectives. It is an international project involving academics and practitioners from Germany, Canada,

India, USA, and Singapore. The book is published by World Scientifi c Publications, 2005.

Governing and Managing Knowledge in Asia

More books published:

By Prof David Alexander Reisman, Division of Economics of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences

By Assoc Prof Neil Murphy, Division of English of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS)

By Dr Terence Dawson, Senior Fellow, Division of English of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS)

By Asst Prof Tamara Wagner, Division of English of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS)

By Assoc Prof Quah Sy Ren, Division of Chinese of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS)

By Assoc Prof Chang Weining, Division of Psychology of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS)

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