Dr. John G Heng Ph.D, M.Sc, B.Eng(Hons), C.Eng, MIMechE, MIET Certified Train the Trainer, Life Coach & NLP practitioner

Senior Lecturer School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Division of Mechatronics and Design Nanyang Avenue Singapore 639798 Contact Details: Tel: +(65) 67905900 Fax: +(65) 67924062 Office: N3.2-01-24 Email: mkhheng[a]ntu.edu.sg   (please use the usual @ for the email)  This is to reduce spamming.

Research Interests

·       Synergistic Physio-Neuro Rehabilitation Platform (SynPhNe) using EEG/SEMG based orthosis for accelerated stroke rehabilitation.

·       Haptic Devices and Interfaces using  Electroencephalograms (EEC) (brain signals) and Surface Electromyography (SEMG) (muscle signals).

·       Brain Entrainment and neuro-plasticity studies.

·        Development of Haptic interface for exoskeletal robotic systems (wearable robotics). 

·       Exploring the use of Surface Electromyograms (SEMG) for the activation of upper limb exoskeketal systems.

·        Assistive Technology (AT) and Rehabilitation Engineering (RE).

·       Areas of adaptive  mobility aids and Haptic HIDs for physically disabled.

View the Wheel Chair Gap enabler invention that was featured in the news….

 

-Straits Times 1 June 2006

-"Today" 1 June 2006

-Channel News Asia (News Clip) 2 June 2006

 

·        Development of an  Autonomous Legged Vehicle (ALV). Legged vehicle and propulsion systems.

·        Telepresence and Teleoperation systems.

·        Mechatronics and Mechanical systems design.

 

Tech Startup

         (Biz Reg: 201332496Z)

SynPhNe Pte. Ltd. Singapore is targeting the multi-billion dollar stroke rehabilitation market which has a worldwide manpower and technology shortage. Every year, 5 million people are left disabled and incidence levels are growing. Our initial target markets, Singapore and India, account for a population of over 7 million existing patients and 1.5 million new patients each year.

 

SynPhNe is a wearable, non-invasive device which highlights a person’s unconscious responses which may be hampering performance. It then uses a person’s brain and muscle signals to assess, train and enhance functional capabilities. The person becomes aware of maladaptive, habitual brain-muscle responses in real-time which are then self-corrected using the SynPhNe protocol.

 

Clinical studies with stroke patients whose improvement had plateaued 12-44 months post stroke after standard rehabilitation showed visible and significant improvements in a 4 week, 12 session intervention. The patented SynPhNe assessment and training routine resulted in functional gains of 70% further when compared to starting baseline. Sub-clinical improvements that could not be captured by typical clinical scales were successfully highlighted by our algorithms. Over 500 therapy hours of patient trials have been completed locally, with a new trial underway in an overseas market.

Project SynPhNe was awarded the SMART Innovation Grant, 2012 and mentioned in the EU April 2013 newsletter on ASEAN innovations. SynPhNe Pte Ltd incorporated in Dec 2013 and is now embarking on building the first commercially marketable prototypes.

 

Recent Media:

NTU scientists develop new stroke therapy device

 

Device 'improves stroke recovery'

The Straits Times, 12 Apr, page B5  and online

- Also reported on AsiaOne

 

NTU system for post-stroke therapy cuts costs too
The Business Times, 12 Apr, page 11 and online

 

New device greatly helps stroke patients’ recovery

The New Paper, 12 Apr, page 9

 

NTU’s new therapy device enables stroke victims to recover further
Gizmag, 11 Apr

 

Device aims to accelerate stroke rehabilitation
The Engineer, 11 Apr
- Also reported in Health Canal and Medical Xpress

 

SynPhNe Stroke Rehabilitation System

Mobile Magazine, 12 Apr

- Also reported on News Medical.  

Publications List

Current Research Project Involvement

Other past funding sources:

·         S$20K, Upper extremity exoskeleton using SEMG, Strategic Development Scheme, May 2002 - Apr 2005, PI

·         $1500, Society for the Physically Disabled, Mar 2006.

·         $120K of funding for joint SIA/NTU industrial collaboration 2000-2002

Patents:

Gap Clearing Mechanism for Wheel Chair 

• US Patent Number :11/751633  Pub Date:  22 Nov 2007 

• Singapore Patent Number: 137774 Certificate date: 30 Nov 2009

Patent Applications
Title	Country	Application No.	National Phase Entry Date
Systems, Apparatuses, Devices, And Processes For Synergistic Neuro-Physiological Rehabilitation And/Or Functional Development	IN	9709/CHENP/2013	5 Dec 2013
	MY	PI 2013702210	20th Nov 2013
	SG	201308594-9	20 Nov 2013
	US	14/118,772	19 Nov 2013
	AU	2012259507	20 Nov 2013
	CN	To be assigned	To be filed on 20 Jan 2014
	EP	EP12789415.2	19 Dec 2013

 

Credentials:

• PhD in Design, Manufacture and Engineering Management at the University of Strathclyde in Sep 1995

           (Thesis Title: The Design and Application of A Unique Anthropomorphic Sensor Platform)

• Masters degree in Computer Integrated Manufacture at the University of Strathclyde in Nov 1991.

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering (Hons) at the University of Glasgow in 1990
• Corporate member of Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) since Sep 1996
• Corporate member of Institution of Engineering and technology (IET) since Oct 1996
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) registered with the UK Engineering Council since Oct 1996.

Engineering Classes and Seminars that I conduct;

Undergraduate Teaching:

MP4011 Mechanical System Design and Analysis
MP4010 Mechatronics System Design and Analysis
M3071 Laboratory Projects

MP2079 Engineering Innovation & Design

MP4007 Engineers and Society

Graduate Teaching:
M6403  Applied Mechatronics

Material for the above courses are available to registered students at edventure

 Personal Development Seminars that I run:

• "Enlightened Life Mind Strategies and Leadership" (2 days) 

An opportunity to learn empowering mind strategies for handing our daily stressful living.  

**Your life successes start with winning your mind games first**

• "Enlightened Life Success Principles"  (2 days)-  A program that will bring clarity and direction to your life.

Short Empowerment Seminars

• Inner Power and Self Confidence: (2 hrs)

• Master your Mind, Grow your Heart: (3 hrs)

• The Psychology  to Wealth Creation: (half day)  

 

You can find this and other courses that I run at

Please contact me should you like me to run such seminars at your organization/club/company.

As a life coach, I help people to map and plan their life directions or are stressed or to overcome their fears or obstacles.

 I  also conduct  smoking or gambling, drinking  cessation sessions.

If you are currently experiencing stress, depression, worry, lost, hopelessness, please come and have a chat with me.

If you are into addictions like smoking, gambling, drinking....etc... please also come and have a chat with me.

You have not realized how much 'inner power' you have. - To your Life Success! - John

 

Article in The Tribune , February 2009

(Please click again one more time on the picture after it has enlarge to restore it to its full size so that you can read the print.)

 

He who knows others is wise;
He who know himself is enlightened.

Lao-tzu

 

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**Study Techniques** Pick up useful study techniques and other good life managements tips at the NTU student counseling centre. StudyTips.org - Helping you Learn for a Lifetime

Past  Testimonies from the classes and courses I have conducted:

• "Somehow and somewhat, you have been my inspiration through your lecture, seminar, and performance in MAE".......Max Handoko Suyanto

• "Excellent Idea of incorporating personal development in university studies. Students will get enriched more and excel in studies".........Vince Chan

• "Very Fun and Interesting Session".....Huang Wenyao

• "It makes me feel free, fresh and confident".......Swe Zin Aung

• "I am very proud to be in MAE, having teacher like you that is willing to go an extra mile teaching us more than just normal academic material. Great!".......Andre Jusuf

• "Thank you for conducting two hours of your time to realize myself better to the upper level of mind and wisdom"....Nyi Nui Tun

• I would like to thank you for teaching and inspiring me with your words last sem, some of your words still stay in my head till this day.
  And it has helped me in some ways to be a better man. I've also improved a lot with my grades last sem and scored an A- for your module.=)....Dexter Li

• "I know that many students come and go. But the passion (from the professors and technicians) to teach, guide and inspire will remain with students like myself. ....... the angels include Prof John Gerard Heng - my MP4011 Mechanical System Design and Analysis tutor.".....Ang Yit Tat

   

General Feedback

• "Straightforward and his explanations are clear"

• "Unusual ways of teaching. Interesting"

• "Clear and concise delivery. Easy to understand"

• "Has Motivation and encouragement plus enthusiasm"

• "Sir...Thank you for your lecture. We really learn so much from you much more than just the syllabus"

• "......its unlikely I will attend a better lecture probably in my lifetime"

• "He has passion in this teaching. If all lecturers are like that, I would have actually like being in engineering and not think its something I have to go through for a degree"

 

Awarded by NTU Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) student's club

Most Inspiring Professor 2009

             

 

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Involvement in Professional and Community groups:

·         Institution of Mechanical Engineers (S'pore Branch - Vice Chair , 2011)

·        Chairman of the Singapore Robotics Society  (Singapore Robotics Games) 2011

·       Judge for the NJRC, FRS, SSEF  organized by the Singapore Science Centre

·        Past Chairman of the NTU Staff Recreation Club (23rd Management Committee)

·       Bishan East Constituency  (Inter Religious Confidence Circle) committee

·       Christian Meditation Ministry (Risen Christ Church)

 

 

Who's Who in Engineering Academia

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The Profession of Engineering.........

Engineering… it is a great profession. There is the fascination of watching a figment of the imagination emerge through the aid of science to a plan on paper. Then it moves to realization in stone or metal or energy. Then it brings jobs and homes to men. Then it elevates the standards of living and adds to the comforts of life… That is the engineer’s high privilege.

The great liability of the engineer compared to men of other professions is that his works are out in the open where all can see them. His acts, step by step, are in hard substance. He cannot bury his mistakes in the grave like the doctors. He cannot, like the architects, cover his failures with trees and vines. He cannot, like the politicians, screen his shortcomings by blaming his opponents and hope the people will forget.

The engineer simply cannot deny he did it. If his works do not work, he is damned…

That is the phantasmagoria that haunts his nights and dogs his days. He comes from the job at the end of the day resolved to calculate it again. He wakes in the night in a cold sweat and puts something on paper that looks silly in the morning. All day he shivers at the thought of the bugs which will inevitably appear to jolt his smooth consummation.

On the other hand, unlike the doctor he is not a life among the weak. Unlike the soldier, destruction is not his purpose. Unlike the lawyer, quarrels are not his daily bread. To the engineer falls the job of clothing the bare bones of science with life, comfort and hope.

No doubt as years go by the people forget which engineer did it, even if they ever knew. Or some politician puts his name on it. Or they credit it to some promoter who used other people’s money… but the engineer himself looks back at the unending stream of goodness which flows from his successes with satisfaction that few professions may know. And the verdict of his fellow professionals is all the accolade he wants.

President Herbert Hoover 31^st US President

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Wise words to live by....

• If you want to change the world, change yourself first.

• People may doubt what you say but they will believe what you do.

• Courage is not a lack o fear but the ability to act while facing fear.

• You got to do your own growing up no matter how tall your father was.

• The best way to predict your future is to create it.

• Only the present is reality. The future is a dream and the past is history. That is why is it called the present.

• Living with guilt is living in the past. Living with worry is living in the future.  The only reality is living in the present.

• To the world you may not be someone, but to someone you may be the world.

• “Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure.” ...Napoleon Hill

• Failure is an event. It is does not define you.

• I do not care  what you know but want to know what you care.

 

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Books

 I highly recommend you read the following books below for your own personal development. I have benefitted greatly from them.

     

Click on an of them to get a synopsis.

Many of them are available at our National Library.

 

 

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School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering