NTU research focus and philosophy
. Multi-disciplinary environment
In this vibrant multidisciplinary research environment, both students and staff enjoy a host of opportunities to conduct research collaboration with world-leading universities and renowned institutes. With all courses grounded in a strong research culture, and with innovation and critical enquiry as key features, NTU students are immersed in the best of learning environments.
. Thriving research environment
The University has invested heavily in research, creating some of the best laboratories and research centres in the world. A prime example would be the $25 million nine-storey Research TechnoPlaza, which forms the University's research hub. Activities of the research centres are linked to their international counterparts, turning the campus into a mini Silicon Valley yielding landmark innovations, and nurturing a new generation of leaders along the way.
. Life-changing innovations
Staffed by researchers of international repute, the University's research has advanced science and technology with life-changing innovations. These world-first inventions include the smallest integrated circuit transformer and Antenna-in-Package, a membraneless micro fuel cell, artificial heart valves, medical robots, a cell culture array chip for disease diagnosis, laser fusion of fibre-optic cables, precision engineering technologies, home-grown satellite technologies, automated video surveillance devices, mass commercial farming of temperate crops using aeroponics, and the establishment of a world-class MPEG standard.
Research institutes in NTU
Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering (IESE)
Director and CEO: Prof Tay Joo Hwa
http://www.iese.ntu.edu.sg/index.asp
Vision
To become a leading technology company built on innovations in environmental science and engineering, and serve as the environmental technology receptacle for Singapore.
Mission
To lead in Environmental Technology (ET) innovation and accelerate ET commercialisation to meet the regional needs for sustainable economic development.
Overview
Singapore’s economic achievements can, in no small measure, be attributed to its commitment to a clean and well-managed environment. In the face of limited natural resources, the country must adopt materials and energy efficient technologies to meet the needs of an increasing population.
To fully exploit these advanced methods, a sophisticated human capital base is required. It will be an addition to the pool of innovative ideas and solutions to meet the long-term goal of environmental sustainability.
The Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering (IESE) was created as a centre of research excellence in Environmental Technology (ET). It is wholly owned by NTU and supported by the Economic Development Board. With its corporatisation to a commercial research company, it is now structured as a leading-edge technology organisation that provides value-added research and commercialisation services in ET.
IESE’s research capability is built on four technology platforms: Clean Energy, Marine and Resource Recovery, Water and Membrane, and Environmental Biotechnology. The business activities include technology licensing commercialisation, R&D, environmental process design engineering, environmental specialist consultancy, process modelling/ simulation, feasibility/treatability studies, as well as technology-related conferences.
Core business areas:
· Technology Demonstration and Commercialisation
· Contract Research for Industrial Clients
· Wastewater Treatment, APC Systems Engineering and Design
· Feasibility Studies and Consultancy
· Conferences and Workshops
Nanyang and Environment Water Research Institute (NEWRI)
Executive Director: Prof Ng Wun Jern
Vision
To be the leader in environmental and water technologies (EWT) and the partner for environmental solutions for industry and community.
Mission
To unify NTU’s EWT efforts in academia, research and applications, serving as a one-stop centre for industry and research partners to access NTU’s EWT capabilities through NEWRI’s ‘eco-system’ of research groups, centres and institutes which provides a contiguous value chain from education and research through translation, development and application.
Overview
NEWRI is an R&D ‘ecosystem’, with alliances between largely independent entities that pursue a common vision of environmental research to provide solutions for community and industry. Members of the NEWRI ecosystem are:
· Advanced Environmental Biotechnology Group
· Environmental Chemistry and Materials Group
· Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering (iESE)
· Lien Institute for the Environment (LIFE)
· Residues & Resource Reclamation Centre
· Singapore Membrane Technology Centre
· DHI-NTU Water & Environment Research Centre & Education Hub
It provides a coordinated platform for NTU researchers and other Singapore and international leaders in EWT to work together to develop cutting-edge technologies and applications. It also focuses on postgraduate training to help build a critical pool of world-class technical manpower and researchers for the industry. The Institute will play an important role in Singapore's push to be a global hub for the environment and water industry.
Joint centres with external organizations
Electromagnetic Effects Research Laboratory (EMERL)
Director: Assoc Prof See Kye Yak
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/eee/emerl/
Mission
• To spearhead focused research work in electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) with particular emphasis in areas of national importance
• To establish research collaboration in EMI and EMC with international and local research institutions
Research activities
Recognising the importance of EMC and its relevance to both military and civilian system design, NTU and DSO National Laboratories signed a memorandum of understanding on 24 March 2004 to set up EMERL in NTU. EMERL was constructed at a cost of about $10M, and funded by DSTA, DSO and A*STAR. It was officially opened on 7 September 2007 by Defence Minister, Mr Teo Chee Hean.
EMERL has state of the art equipment and a group of dedicated researchers to facilitate electromagnetic effects related research in four key areas:
· Electromagnetic Compatibility
· Signal Integrity for High-Speed Electronic Systems
· Electromagnetic Shielding Material
· Computational Electromagnetics
Research facilities
EMERL houses two cutting-edge test facilities: the Semi-Anechoic Chamber (SAC) and a Mode Stirred Chamber (MSC). The SAC has walls lined with electromagnetic absorbing material and provides an “electromagnetic pollution-free” environment to measure emission as low as micro-volt per meter. On the other hand, the MSC, another well-shielded enclosure for immunity testing, can emulate hostile electromagnetic environments with electromagnetic fields of several hundred volts per meter. These facilities enable NTU to play a leading role in advanced electromagnetic effects research.
Energetic Materials Research Centre (EMRC)
Director: Prof Ang How Ghee
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/home/hgang/
Mission
Its mission focuses on a new generation of energetic materials, with special attention on innovation, research training and collaboration.
Research activities
The research focus of the Centre is on new materials with high energetic performance, ranging from oxidisers and polymers to metals. Its research on chemical synthesis of the high energy density materials includes the design of new synthetic routes that are safe, non-polluting and cost-effective. Its interests in computational modelling will take its basic research beyond the laboratory to new applications.
The Centre extends its research to physical and spectroscopic studies of selected energetic materials and metals. The critical issues of insensitivity and compatibility of energetic material compositions are examined to achieve new goals of enhanced energetic performance and the uncompromising demands of high safety standards.
Intelligent Systems Centre (IntelliSys)
Director: Assoc Prof Chen I-Ming
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/intellisys/
Mission
• To conduct R&D programmes focusing on cutting-edge technologies related to control, communication, perception, decision-making, and autonomous action with applications in the industrial, commercial and military sectors
• To undertake technology innovation for creation and prototyping of new products and services relevant to industry partners
• To establish collaboration with other research institutions and organisations for the purpose of enhancing the state-of-the-art Intelligent Systems Technologies
Research philosophy
• To become an R&D powerhouse on service-based and product-based intelligent systems with strong industrial relevance in terms of IP generation, technology transfer, and development
• To serve the interests of NTU and ST Engineering and build a reputation for the centre in the ability to work closely and effectively with industry
Research activities
IntelliSys is a research centre jointly set up by ST Engineering and NTU. It is the meeting point of application-specific problems and technologically viable solutions, and serves as a hotbed for technological development and advancement in the area of intelligent systems. The Centre’s emphasis is on the synergistic integration of physical systems with information technology and complex decision-making processes in the design, manufacturing, and operation of intelligent systems relevant to industrial users.
IntelliSys has 10 principal investigators mainly from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, the School of Computer Engineering, and the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. The centre receives research grants from industry and government agencies such as Mindef, DSO, NEA, and ASTAR, etc, to conduct research projects in the following areas:
· Intelligent Sensor Network: Wireless sensor network, sensor grid, cyber infrastructure, body sensor network, application-driven sensor network technology.
· AI and Cognitive Technology: Collaborative intelligence, context-awareness computing, optimization, genetic algorithms, intelligent control.
· Sensor Development: vision systems, impedance sensors and technology, wearable sensors.
· Innovative Robotics and Haptics: unmanned aerial vehicles, mobile robots, humanoid robots, unmanned surface vehicles, entertainment robotics.
Satellite Engineering Centre (SEC)
Director: Assoc Prof Tan Soon Hie
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/centre/sec
Mission
To be a centre of excellence in satellite engineering research and development capable of spearheading the creation of innovative space technologies and satellite system designs which can potentially bring economic and social benefits to Singapore and the region.
Research activities
SEC has a competent Low Earth Orbit satellite mission design and development team comprising full-time engineers and researchers in several specialist groups headed by their respective group leaders and managed by a project management and system engineering team. The team has successfully completed a number of satellite engineering projects since 1994. The most notable achievement in the past was the Merlion Communication Payload/UoSAT-12 mini-satellite project. Currently the centre has its flagship project, the X-Sat micro-satellite project. The X-Sat is the first micro-satellite mission designed and built totally within NTU.
The centre focuses on:
· The design and development of novel Low Earth Orbit (LEO) micro-satellite missions, in collaboration with other well-known research centres and universities
· The design and development of innovative applications for LEO micro-satellites both in Singapore and abroad
· Facilitating and promoting the use of LEO satellite services, such as remote sensing, mobile satellite communications and locations, satellite based data acquisition and messaging, in Singapore and the region
SEC has the following facilities for space projects:
· Satellite design laboratories with various design and simulation CAE/CAD tools
· Satellite engineering laboratories with various tests, measurement and prototyping equipment
· Class 5K clean rooms for the space quality construction of spacecraft subsystem modules/assemblies and spacecraft assembly, integration and test
· Basic thermal test and vacuum test chambers
· Mission control groundstation facilities
It is expected that in the near future, the centre will be re-organised into two divisions covering satellite engineering research, and satellite mission design and development. The satellite engineering research division will pursue upstream academic research projects leading to scholarly publications and knowledge creations in satellite engineering and technologies whereas the satellite mission design and development division will pursue industrial projects involving the design, development and delivery of satellite systems, subsystems or payloads funded by users or customers. The satellite mission design and development division may have industrial partners locally and overseas to facilitate the project work.
Temasek Laboratories at NTU (TL@NTU)
Director: Prof Shang Huai Min
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/temasek-labs
Mission
To explore the frontiers of science and develop strategic technology that will deliver effective solutions for the defence and security of Singapore.
Research activities
Our research focus is categorized into eight areas:
a) Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMIC)
To develop capabilities for advanced R&D in GaAs-based and GaN-based MMICs.
b) Radar System
To research on new radar concepts, techniques and design, focusing on passive radar, High Frequency Surface Wave Radar (HFSWR), foliage penetration radar and wall penetration radar.
c) Signal Processing System on Chip
To develop VLSI circuit modules and techniques as building blocks to enable programmable platforms integrating many functionalities onto a single chip.
d) Advanced Materials
To research on advanced materials for soldier protection and survivability.
e) Tropical Weather
To improve mesoscale weather forecast in Southeast Asia for Singapore through research on numerical weather prediction models, atmospheric data retrieval from remote-sensing instruments and data assimilation techniques.
f) Computer Vision
To conduct camera-array-based computer vision research to enhance the recognition ability or visibility of the objects of interest hidden by foliage.
g) Speech Processing
To conduct basic and applied speech processing research, spanning areas from continuous speech recognition, speech enhancement (noise reduction) to speaker identification.
h) Communications Signal Processing
The research includes space-time processing of wideband communication signals for signal detection and parameter estimation in low signal-to-noise-plus-interference ratio and development of compact, high performance and low cost array-processing architectures for source localization and adaptive beamforming.
Thales@NTU
Directors: Assoc Prof Tjin Swee Chuan, Dr Jean Chazelas and Mr Patrick Plante
Vision
Investigation of new technology niches through both:
• Academic research: leverage on synergies between universities and research institutes to launch high level upstream research
• Applied research: leverage on strategic collaboration with the local R&T/D ecosystem to develop innovative technologies and transform concepts into applications
Mission
• To tap research talents from Singapore and Europe for collaborative research
• To focus on upstream dual-use cutting-edge technologies to address both homeland security and commercial applications
• To conduct research relevant to the ever-growing worldwide demand for innovative solutions
Research activities
The objective of this industry-university collaborative research is to engage academic partners in Singapore Research & Technology ecosystem to complement the Thales group with advanced technologies, innovations and expertise to gain competitive advantage. With combined staff strength from NTU, TTCS and Thales R&T in France, Thales@NTU is currently focusing on research in the areas of RF Photonics, RF Advanced Compounds, Wireless Technology, Signal Processing and Interactive Digital Media, which are implemented into three core technology platforms to support advanced technologies, innovations and expertise to gain competitive advantage.
· The Photonics & RF platform aims at demonstrating new RF technologies, improving performance and cost efficiency of optoelectronic components, and exploring innovative application of photonic principles for dual-use systems.
· The Signal Processing platform aims to identify, innovate and develop system and signal processing concepts for applications in surveillance and communications.
· The Interactive Digital Media platform aims to create innovative HMI solutions, targeting: on-the-move media and web-based service access leveraging the concept of ambient intelligence; Interactive Media Research Interactive Media in Educational authoring tools, Application of gaming technologies and interactive media paradigms for experimental research in psychology and sociology, Integration and embedded interactive technologies into apparel, home furniture and product design.
Research centres under the College of Engineering
4G Research Lab
Director: Asst Prof Franklin Fu Chengpeng
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/sce/labs/4g
Vision and mission
4th Generation research and development aim to provide an end-to-end IP solution where voice, data and streamed multimedia can be served to users on an "Anytime, Anywhere" basis at higher data rates than previous generations.
Research Activities:
Grants
· MOBILE COMPUTING RESEARCH Academic Research Fund, MoE PI: C K Toh 2008
· Veno II: Universal Transport in 4th Generation Communications, RGM, PI Franklin Fu 2007-2008
Some invited talks and visits
· A Visit from President of Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, China, March 2008
· “The Present and Future of Information Network” by Prof. ZHANG Hongke, Dean of School of Information Engineering, Beijing Jiao Tong University, March 2008
· “Addressing and Auto configuration in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks” By Prof. Toh C K, visiting professor, SCE, NTU, March 2008
· A delegate visit from center for strategic infocomm technologies, Singapore, Jan 2008
· A Visit by Prof. Peter Yum, Dean of Faculty of Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR. 2007
· “The State of the Internet in China: Opportunities and Challenges” by Vice President Wu Hequan, The Chinese Academy of Engineering, China. 2007
Advanced Materials Research Centre (AMRC)
Director: Assoc Prof Subodh Mhaisalkar
Vision
To establish a world-class cross-disciplinary programme in nanomaterials discovery, development, and exploitation.
Mission
To develop new approaches and understanding in the synthesis of advanced and innovative functional materials for applications ranging from biotechnology to nanoelectronics.
Objectives
• To build upon the strengths in biomaterials and microelectronics research and work closer with relevant industries for the commercialisation; and
• To expand into new areas including organic and molecular electronics, biomimetics, dental materials, smart materials, bio-adhesives, biosensors, and microfluidics.
Research activities
AMRC is a university-wide research centre that focuses on the synthesis of advanced and innovative functional materials for applications ranging from biotechnology to nanoelectronics. The Centre focuses on the areas of Biomaterials, Energy and Catalysis, Nano and Organic Electronics, Nano Photonics and Magnetics, and Defence Materials. Its main research facilities include materials synthesis for organics and in-organic materials, thin film deposition, as well as materials characterisation (morphology, thermal, and structure characterisation).
The AMRC hosts several multidisciplinary research programmes with participation of faculty from the Schools of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), Chemical and Biomedical Engineering (CBE), and Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) in NTU.
Several notable contributions were made by AMRC in the field of Biomaterials. A Singapore biomedical company that develops biodegradable stents, Amaranth Medical Pte Ltd, started by two NTU professors, Professors Freddy Boey Yin Chiang and Subbu S Venkatraman, attracted investments of US$7.5 million from a Silicon Valley venture capital fund along with investment from EDB’s Bio*One Capital. Other initiatives nearing commercialisation include frictionless pumps and disposable surgical retraction systems for biomedical applications.
Bioinformatics Research Centre (BIRC)
Director: Assoc Prof Jagath Rajapakse (SCE)
Email: birc@ntu.edu.sg
Mission and vision
To provide the interdisciplinary environment and training for students and researchers to engage in leading and cutting-edge research in computational biology and bioinformatics, and, thereby become a part of the life sciences workforce in Singapore and worldwide.
To dedicate itself to the advancement of computational biology and bioinformatics through education, research, and scientific breakthroughs, leading to discoveries of new medical drugs and therapies.
Research
The BioInformatics Research Centre (BIRC) is the focus of the education, research and development, and human-resource training in bioinformatics at NTU. It provides faculty, researchers, and students with the state-of-art bio-computing infrastructure, bioinformatics tools, in-house library, and meeting place for bioinformatics research.
BIRC researches to handle the demand of the growth of life sciences data in the coming decade, by the end of which everyone’s genome is expected to be available in digital form. It aims at the use of computational and informational techniques to narrow down the hypothesized targets of wet-lab experiments. BIRC focuses not only on analyzing life sciences data to discover new biological knowledge and insights but also on developing novel bioinformatics techniques to fulfill the needs of biologists.
The research focus areas at BIRC include computational genomics, functional genomics, proteomics, systems biology, cheminformatics, immunoinformatics, pharmacogenomics, bioimaging informatics, and medical informatics. BIRC faculty comes from all schools in engineering and science faculties, and brings a wealth of multi-disciplinary research expertise.
BIRC has forged collaborations successfully with premier international research institutes and universities, to name a few: Whitehead Institute, MIT (USA), California Institute of Technology (USA), Princeton University (USA), University of Toronto (Canada), RIKEN (Japan), Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia), and Vietnam National University (Hanoi). It closely works with local research institutes and hospitals to achieve its objectives. BIRC also maintains the Secretariat for IAPR Technical Committee on Pattern Recognition for Bioinformatics.
BIRC facilitates teaching and research projects of the MSc (Bioinformatics) programme, and the PhD (Computation and Systems Biology) programme by the Singapore-MIT Alliance.
Biomedical Engineering Research Centre (BMERC)
Director: Assoc Prof Subbu S Venkatraman
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/bmerc/ home.htm
Vision
• To improve quality of life through pioneering scientific and technological discoveries;
• To mold future leaders in biomedical engineering; and
• To synergise multidisciplinary advancements in order to create tomorrow’s medical technologies.
Mission
• To create significant research impact through strong coherent synergies between the biomedical sciences and engineering; and
• To apply practical solutions from research results that lead to innovative methods and products.
Research activities
BMERC’s strengths stem from the coherent fusion between core engineering disciplines, biology and medicine. Researchers in the Centre come from the established engineering schools. BMERC works very closely with industry partners and has strong collaborations with Biomedical Engineering and Medical facilities.
Research at BMERC focuses on the following: Biomolecular Physics, Bioimaging, Biosensors, Distributed Diagnostics and Home Healthcare, Neuroengineering, Tissue Engineering, Biomaterials, Biomechanics, Medical Robotics, Pharmacogentics, etc.
The BMERC-SUWA programme is a key programme which aims to promote a cutting edge research in Bioengineering in Singapore. This programme represents one of the avenues being used, to raise the level of biomedical research carried out in Singapore and to meet the challenges and opportunities available in the field of Biomedical Sciences. The alliance will facilitate research and commercialisation of new technologies in Biomedical Sciences. BMERC intends to support this win-win strategic partnership over the next five years, as a platform to promote the growth of Bioengineering research in Singapore, which is critical for advancing human health and wealth.
BMERC also works closely with the Society of the Physically Disabled (SPD), part of the Community Research Network, to research into the latest assistive technologies. The Assistive Technologies Group, based at BMERC, is spearheading this collaboration.
Center for Advanced Bionanosystems
Director: Assoc Prof Li Chang-ming
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/home/ecmli/
Mission
To lead scientifically and technologically in advanced bionanosystems innovation and accelerate commercialisation to meet the Singapore, regional and global needs for sustainable economic development.
Overview
Innovative biological systems and Devices such as biosensors, molecular drug delivery device, bioelectronics and molecular machines provide great potential to enhance quality of life, improve healthcare and strengthen biodefense. The most significant impact of bionanosystems is envisaged to be in health and medicine: diagnostics, treatment and prevention. Particularly, there is a great need in global health care for novel approaches to meet the needs of ageing populations and poor countries. Biotechnology and its based advance bionanosystems can enable cheaper, safer and more ethical production of a growing number of traditional as well as new drugs and medical services.
The excellence research center applies state-of-the-art methods to investigate and develop advanced bionanosystems, particularly focusing on micro/nano array sensors, Lab-on-chip systems, drug delivery devices, and bioelectronics and biofuecl cells. The center cannot only produce high impact publications, but also makes great contribution to Singapore economic development and particularly supports Singapore economy development in emerging technologies. The center serves as a focal point of university undergraduate students, faculty members and research students for fostering highly interdisciplinary research at the cross-road of chemical engineering sciences, life sciences, electronics and nano sciences, and further attracts remarkable research funds and international investment.
Core R&D areas:
· Bionanomaterials and applications
· Array biosensor and lab-on-chip system
· Micro/nano drug delivery system
· Organic transistor based biosystems
· Biofuel cells
· Sensors for detection of pathogenic Bacteria and Cancer Cells
Vision
Enhancing human needs and aspirations through next-generation information and knowledge management.
Mission
• To conduct frontier research in next-generation information and knowledge computing with the overall objective of enhancing human needs and aspirations.
• To establish strong international reputation by publishing research results in top international conferences and journals, and by establishing research collaboration with other renowned research institutions abroad.
• To build strong relationship with industry by transferring commercially-viable research results to the industry.
Research activities
• Next-generation information management infrastructure
• Information privacy and security
• Interface-driven computing
• Data Mining
• Mobile computing
• Digital library
• System biology Data Management
Centre for Advanced Media Technology (CAMTech)
Director: Assoc Prof Wolfgang Mueller-Wittig
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/camtech/
Mission
• To excel in applied R&D within Advanced Media Technology;
• To be the link between industry and academic R&D;
• To utilise technologies developed by Fraunhofer-IGD network;
• To contribute in academic and R&D manpower development; and
• To serve as a resource centre.
Research activities
Established in 1998, CAMTech is a joint R&D centre of the Fraunhofer-Institute for Computer Graphics (IGD) of Darmstadt, Germany and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) of Singapore. Located on the NTU campus, CAMTech taps on the resources, expertise and R&D results from both IGD and NTU, fostering strong ties through research collaborations.
CAMTech places significant importance on technology transfer and human resource development. CAMTech hosts undergraduate and postgraduate students to participate in the R&D projects carried out at the Centre and Industrial Attachment. Since 1998, the Centre has successfully managed international student exchange programmes with different institutions (e.g. Technical University Darmstadt). CAMTech hosts the new 2-year part-time programme leading to a master of Science in Digital Media Technology. This programme started 2005/2005 for the first time. Core modules focus on the basic areas of advanced computer graphics, multimedia, virtual reality and animation.
CAMTech’s products and services are used widely by various MNCs and local SMEs, governmental bodies and their affiliated companies, educational and research institutions. CAMTech primarily addresses the Asian market, but also handles projects via its international network. CAMTech’s track record of successful collaborations includes industrial partners such as Christie Digital Systems, Media Corp and Apple.
CAMTech’s key technologies are real time rendering, virtual reality and augmented reality. CAMTech’s core competencies include Scientific and Medical Visualisation, Interactive Digital Learning Environments for Sciences and Engineering, Virtual and Augmented Engineering and Manufacturing, Virtual and Augmented Environments for Medical and Industrial Applications, New Media for Education and Cultural Heritage as well as 3-D Modelling and Reconstruction of Incident Scenes.
Centre for Biotechnology (CBT)
Director: Assoc Prof Mary Chan Bee Eng
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/scbe/cbe/CBT
CBT capitalises on chemical engineering sciences to exploit several frontiers of biotechnology including tissue regeneration, virus-cell dynamics, cell-based biosensor, cell biophysics and systems bioengineering. Researchers at the Centre apply state-of-the-art methods in soft lithography, genetic engineering, biomolecular engineering, bio-surface engineering and biophysics to design novel cell therapy, engineered tissue equivalents, biopharmaceuticals, oral vaccines, and biosensor. Most importantly, CBT serves as a focal point for Chemical and Biomedical Engineering undergraduate students, faculty members and research students to foster highly interdisciplinary research at the crossroad of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Life Sciences and System Engineering.
Centre for Chiral and Pharmaceutical Engineering (CCPE)
Director: Prof Ching Chi Bun
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/scbe/cbe/ccpe
Mission
• To serve as a platform for collaboration;
• To act as a coordinating party integrating scientists and engineers;
• To provide novel separation techniques and processes for industries;
• To provide a conducive environment to nurture students with creativity and innovation; and
• To equip students with training and skills for industries.
Research activities
CCPE emphasises its research on chiral drugs.
Activities at CCPE include chemical synthesis, separation and purification technology, materials technology, control and process technology, as well as “green” chemistry and engineering.
The centre’s current research focus is on the following:
· Innovative Chromatographic Processes
· Enantioselective Extraction and Biotransformation
· Fast Filtration Techniques
· Nano-Enantioseparations
Centre for Computational Engineering (CCE)
Director: Assoc Prof Ng Teng Yong
Vision
Showcase college-wide computational engineering expertise from the different schools
Mission
• Carry out innovative and quality research, and constantly striving to meet and master the challenges of ever higher levels of detail and complexity in the most current and challenging modelling and simulation problems in the engineering sciences;
• Train a new generation of young scientists and engineers to be the future leaders in the field of computational engineering;
• Stimulate leading edge inter-school research projects ranging from basic to applied research in the engineering sciences through strong, multidisciplinary and cooperative research efforts;
• Create a conducive and fertile environment which naturally facilitates the “free-flow” of exchange of ideas between researchers and scholars of all levels; and
• Serve the research needs of SMEs and MNCs and the Singapore industry at large through consulting and applied research projects.
Research activities
The newly formed Centre for Computational Engineering (CCE) aims at supporting selected upstream core research as well as application areas, in the broad range of computational engineering activities. It seeks to foster interdisciplinary, computationally oriented research in different areas of science and engineering. This field is inherently interdisciplinary, requiring expertise in advanced computing technology as well as in one or more applied disciplines. Its successful application to many of today’s complex multidisciplinary problems is heavily dependent on both computer architecture and powerful numerical techniques and algorithms.
The research areas of interest to CCE range from the fundamental development of advanced numerical techniques to applied areas such as computational fluid and solid mechanics, and the modelling of advanced nano- and bio- material systems.
The topics include:
• Efficient meshless techniques
• Multiscale modelling techniques
• Model-order reduction
• Nano-scale computation
• Very large-scale computation of complex system
• Multi-physics modelling of multi-energy coupled phenomena
• Multiphase modelling of smart biomaterials
Centre for Computational Inteligence (C2i)
Director: Assoc Prof Quek Hiok Chai
Vision
To develop Intelligent Systems that just work, that is, require no user intervention, and are used pervasively and transparently in services, entertainment, the industry, and our home – just like we use a pen or a piano, without thinking of them as technology, or even thinking of them at all.
Mission
• To establish an internationally recognised centre in the field;
• To foster research collaboration and international exchanges;
• To develop innovative techniques, tools, and solutions;
• To improve our understanding of cognitive architectures, reasoning, problem solving, and general intelligence; and
• To promote the application of Computational Intelligence (CI) techniques and facilitate their transfer to the user community.
Research philosophy
To conduct “fundamental CI research in support of strategic IT directions”. CI is the ultimate Artificial Intelligence (AI), a quest for automating intelligence which, while attempting to answer the most fundamental questions about the nature of intelligence, has steadily grown into a key technology in many of today’s critical applications, from banking and commerce to medical, education, transportation, etc.
Research activities
Computational Intelligence = Adaptation/ Learning
Traditional AI is essentially a top-down approach for knowledge representation and manipulation (reasoning). The structure of a problem is analysed and the construction of the intelligent system is based upon this structure. By contrast, CI operates in a bottom-up fashion, where structure naturally emerges from unordered data without relying on explicit human knowledge. CI involves computing methods that exhibits an ability to learn from and deal with new situations, and facilitate intelligent behavior.
This translates into the development of cognitive systems that are truly autonomous. C2i strives to design novel CI technologies and implement them into promising applications.
Focus Areas: Autonomous Systems, Cognitive Neuroscience, Anticipatory Computing, Decision Support Systems and Humanised Interfaces.
Technologies: Biological Computing, Cognitive Architectures, Connectionist Systems, Distributed Intelligence, Evolutionary Computing, Fuzzy Systems, Machine Learning, Neuro-fuzzy Systems, Pattern Recognition and Probabilistic Reasoning.
Applications: Autonomous Robotics, Financial Engineering, Expert Process Control, Human-Machine Interfaces, Intelligent Transportation, Medical Diagnosis/Prognosis, Tutoring Systems and Visual/Speech Processing.
Various collaborations have been established, namely with the INRIA in France (MOU signed in 1998, double-degree programme under preparation), the Universities of Kent and Southampton in United Kingdom, Nicolaus Copernicus University (NCU) in Torun and University of Warsaw in Poland, Nagoya University in Japan, City University of Hong Kong, San Diego State University in the USA, as well as Australian National University (ANU) and RMIT University in Australia. Industrial partners include Delphi Automotive Systems and CEI Contract Manufacturing Ltd.
Centre for High Performance Embedded Systems (CHiPES)
Director: Prof Thambipillai Srikanthan
Vision and mission
• To undertake use-inspired basic research into novel algorithms and their architectural translations to innovate embedded solutions. The Centre will undertake basic research into Future Design Methodologies for shorter Time-To-Market (TTM) and lower Non-Recurring Engineering costs (NRE) to realize high-productivity embedded systems suitable for mass volume manufacture; and
• To serve as a knowledge base to facilitate state-of-the-art training in Embedded Systems Engineering through active participation in industrial projects and the use of advanced CAD tools and process technology.
Research activities
At the Centre for High Performance Embedded Systems (CHiPES), one of the main aims is to develop constraint-aware design methodologies that can be relied upon to realize viable embedded products. Complemented by state-of-the-art tools and technology, CHiPES is constantly formulating and developing novel ideas for the design and implementation of embedded systems that fulfill all the necessary criteria of modern day expectations. At the same time, CHiPES aims to serve as a knowledge base to facilitate state-of-the-art training, research and development in association with local and international academic and industry partners.
Projects at CHiPES fall into two broad categories. On one hand, CHiPES conducts use-inspired research in the design and development of core technologies for embedded systems that can lead to advanced solutions for a diverse set of problems ranging from security using biometrics to on-board satellite image processing. Focus groups at CHiPES aim to develop high performance architectures in the areas of dynamic routing, vision, image and biomedical processing, high performance arithmetic units, computer networks & communication and speech, audio and internet enablement. On the other hand, CHiPES conducts basic research by focusing on the creation of frameworks and methodologies to address TTM and NRE cost issues.
CHiPES has successfully forged collaborations with a large number of multi-national companies and is constantly on the lookout to create new partnerships for championing embedded systems R&D in Singapore and overseas. The main intent of such collaborations is to provide industry-relevant training to graduating engineers as well as to equip the partners with next generation technologies that allow industry to stay at the forefront of innovation in their products and services.
Academic and research collaborations with prominent overseas universities, such as Georgia Institute of Technology (US), University of Manchester (UK), University of Warwick (UK), University of Tokyo (Japan), Peking University (China), and Imperial College (UK), also help to maintain leadership in key research areas of embedded systems. This truly international peer network provides the much-needed variation in perspectives and approach to solve challenging research problems.
Centre for Human Factors and Ergonomics (CHFE)
Director: Assoc Prof Lim Kee Yong
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/mae/centres/HFE
Mission
• To develop a world-class centre and strive to achieve leadership in niche areas of Human Factors and Ergonomics research
• To train and develop expertise that is key for Singapore to advance successfully to the next lap of economic development and competition against developed first world economies
• To advance human-centered design to facilitate and empower ‘human-ware’ effectively
• To lead the design of jobs, systems and products that address both work and family needs
• To extend the effectiveness and socioeconomic contributions of an ageing population, and mediate the social cost of economic demands characteristic of the knowledge economy, i.e. an increasingly distributed (geographically) mobile workforce
Objectives
• To address emerging requirements of a knowledge economy
• To train and develop expertise that is key for a successful advance into the next lap of Singapore’s economic development
• To advance human-centered design that is needed to realise in full, the vast potential of our state-of-the-art national infrastructures, e.g. the national digital information infrastructure that underpins our SingaporeOne/IT2000
• To design jobs, systems and products that address both work and family needs. These initiatives extend and enhance respectively the socio-economic contribution of an ageing population and an increasingly distributed (regionally globally) workforce. Systems should also be designed to mediate the social cost of such economic demands. It should be noted that products and systems targeted at these concerns have vast commercial potential, since these demographic and mobility trends are emerging pervasively worldwide
Research activities
CHFE is an inter-school entity, involving staff from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) and the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI). It is well positioned to address the entire spectrum of design concerns, extending highly desirable art-to-part capabilities to encompass ideation/concept definition, art/virtual, design, computer aided design/simulation, and finally the production of a first physical prototype.
Interest areas are wide-ranging, covering industrial automation and systems, consumer products and military systems. Specifi c topics include user interface design, virtual reality systems, computer supported co-operative work, mobile computers and infocomm devices, teamwork, safety engineering, human vision, product design, affective and cross cultural design, usability engineering, system analysis, occupational health and safety, work systems, rehabilitation engineering, industrial and environmental ergonomics, human error, job/task design and analysis, designing for the elderly and people with special needs, workstation/workspace design and evaluation, process control, office ergonomics and transport ergonomics.
Members of the Centre, in collaboration with Linkšping University (Sweden), also launched the world’s first Dual Masters executive programme in Human Factors Engineering.
Some of the research collaborators include Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute (DMERI), DSO National Laboratories (DSO), MINDEF, US Air Force, Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development/ Air Force Research Lab (AOARD/AFRL), Honeywell Inc., Aeromedical Centre, Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), St Luke’s Hospital for the Elderly, National Library Board, Java Wireless Competency Centre, University of Waikato (New Zealand), University College London (UK), Linkšping University of Technology (Sweden), University of Technology in Compiegn (France).
Centre for Information Security (CIS)
Director: Asst Prof Jiang Xudong
Mission, vision and research philosophy
• To create an interactive environment for active R&D in information security, and establish collaboration with universities, research institutes, industries and government
• To solve the security issue of computer system, networks and internet; secure electronic and physical transactions and access; prevent illegal copying of documents and multi-media
• To engage in multidisciplinary research utilising mathematics, information theory, signal and image processing, pattern recognition, computer science, engineering and other associated technologies
Research activities
The main research activity broadly focuses on the areas of cryptography and network security, digital watermarking and biometrics.
• In cryptography, the research includes cryptographic algorithms, cryptographic protocols and provable security
• In network security, the focus is on the wired/ wireless network security and ad hoc network security
• The research in digital watermarking emphasizes copyright protection and authentication of mage, audio, video, document and vector graphic data
• Biometrics conducts both theoretical and applied research in areas related to the human identity recognition based on his/her physiological or behavioural characteristics that are unique to each individual
CIS has developed and patented a fast MPEG watermarking scheme which embeds watermarks efficiently and invisibly into the MPEG bit stream, without the need for MPEG decompression. Novelties in this technology include compressed domain block classification, enhanced bit rate control, and enhanced blind detection for drift-compensated video. CIS has investigated the effects of linear and non-linear collusion attacks on digital fingerprints (personalised watermarks) and devised new techniques to counter them.
CIS developed a fingerprint retrieval framework using the orientation field as the main feature and the dominant ridge distance as an auxiliary feature. These coarse level features have little correlation with the minutia points that are often used for the fi ner matching in an automated fingerprint verification and identification systems. Consequently, the proposed retrieval approach will not only speed up the identification process but also alleviate the accuracy deterioration of the fingerprint identification from that of the verification.
Centre for Integrated Circuits and Systems (CICS)
Director: Prof Do Manh Anh
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/eee/eee2/cics/
Vision
To be a global Integrated Circuits and Systems Design power hub for creative and innovative excellence
Mission
To excel in research in Integrated Circuits and Systems Design and to provide cutting-edge technologies and specialised personnel training for the Singapore electronic industry
Research activities
Research activities are focused mainly on the design, analysis and integration of electronic circuits and systems in general, and on the design of low-voltage low-power system-on¬chip (SoC) in particular.
CICS has three research groups: RF Integrated Circuits and Systems, Mixed-Signal IC (Integrated Circuit) and Applications, and VLSI Design and Embedded Systems.
CICS’s strong research activities in IC Design are well recognised internationally. Its expertise in the three specialised areas of RF (Radio Frequency) Integrated Circuits and Systems, Mixed-Signal IC and Applications, and VLSI Design and Embedded Systems are well demanded by the industry in the form of consultancy and industrial collaboration.
A Joint MSc (IC Design) Programme between NTU and Technical University of Munich (TUM) was launched in July 2005. The programme is well received by international students who make up 90% of the cohort. The current batch has 19 students.
Centre for Intelligent Machines (CIM)
Director: Prof Xie Lihua
Mission
• To spearhead R&D activities in the areas of Control System Technology, Robotics, Surveillance Technology, Real-time and Embedded Information Systems, and Machine Learning
• To cooperate with industrial partners and government agencies in fields of strategic importance
Research activities
The CIM’s research in control, especially robust and adaptive control, enjoys excellent international reputation. In addition to fundamental research, the Centre has put a lot of emphasis on industrial control, in particular, process modelling, optimisation and control with applications in air-conditioning systems and has completed several major industrial projects. The Centre also has very strong research teams in autonomous systems and machine learning supported by several government and industry funded projects.
Research focus
• Mobile Robotics
Simultaneous localisation and map building: Robot control; Underwater robotics; Autonomous vehicles, evolutionary and bio-robotics; Service robots and e-toys.
• Control Systems Technology
Robust and adaptive control; Networked control systems and sensor networks; Intelligent systems and control; Process control and automation; Flight control systems.
• Surveillance Technology
Face and gesture; Video surveillance; Visual information retrieval.
• Machine Learning
Stochastic learning theory and applications; Computational intelligence for machine learning applications; Feature analysis and classification.
• Real-time and Embedded Information Systems
Model predictive control on a chip; Framework for real-time monitoring and control; Hardware architecture and software tools for mobile robots.
Centre for Mechanics of Micro-systems (CMMS)
Director: Assoc Prof Du He Jun
http://www.cmms.mae.ntu.edu.sg/
Vision
We believe that:
• Mechanics (of systems and materials) is key to improving performance of micro/nano-systems
• Simulation and testing technologies, which enable better design and manufacturing of micro-systems, are in great demand to put micro-machines and nano-technology in practical use
• Many new micro-systems or machines will one day become as effective and powerful as the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is today
• HDD will continue to be a major industry in Singapore and support from academics will be in demand
Objective
• To develop new improved mechanical design methodologies techniques for micro/nano-system applications
• To establish a micro/nano-system mechanics laboratory with advanced mechanical design analysis and testing capabilities
• To develop a core team of researchers on mechanics of micro/nano-systems and provide industry with required expertise by training research fellows and postgraduates specialised in micro-system mechanical design
• To initiate joint projects with local industries and to provide them with expert consultancy on micro-system mechanics
Research activities and focus areas
Although the scope of research includes mechanics of all kinds of micro-systems, the research activities in CMMS can be broadly divided into two focused areas.
One focused research area is on HDD Mechanics (most collaborated closely with DSI and the industry). This includes the following topics:
• Shock resistance
• Simulation and control of vibrations
• Servo control
• Noise control and simulation of acoustics
• Mechanism (Kinematics and Dynamics) simulation and design
• Aero-elasticity (fluttering)
• Aerodynamics and slider design
• Sensing and actuating
• Tribology
• Mechanics of Materials
The other focused area of research is to develop enabling technologies for design and manufacturing of micro/nano systems devices.
This includes the following topics:
• Investigation of mechanism of micro joining
• Monitoring of micro processing
• Methods and software packages for topological optimization of flexural mechanisms
• Simultaneous sensing and actuating
• Crack-free coating SMA and PZT thin films
• MEMS and Biomems
• Nanotechnology
Centre for Modelling and Control of Complex Systems (CMCCS)
Director: Prof Soh Yeng Chai
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/eee/cmccs
Vision
To be a centre of excellence in the understanding and analysis of complex systems.
Mission
To excel in research and development on methodologies for modelling, computation, control and optimisation of complex systems.
Research activities
The R&D activities of CMCCS are related to the understanding of dynamics and computational issues of complex systems, and in particular, the development of methodologies for modelling, computation, sensing and control, sensor networks, and control and optimisation of complex systems. The core research activities include Modelling and Control of Biological Systems, Computational Nano-Electronics, Computational Electromagnetics, Control of Networks, and Modelling, Optimisation and Control Techniques. CMCCS has 25 academic staff, 6 research staff and 28 PhD students, with ongoing research grants totalling S$4 million from various sources. To-date, there are 4 patents being fi led by CMCCS. In the areas of environmental and water technologies, CMCCS will focus on the R&D areas of modelling, sensing, optimisation and control.
Centre for Multimedia and Network Technology (CeMNet)
Director: Assoc Prof Cham Tat Jen
Mission
Towards ubiquitous computing where communications and media transcend devices, mobility and activities. Enhanced user experience can be achieved through the deployment of network, effectors and location and context-awareness technologies into our daily lives.
Research activities
CeMNet is divided into three separate clusters, with each one dedicated towards addressing these general concerns:
• The Network Technology Cluster works on network technologies and protocols to ensure that networks of the future are well capable of handling high bandwidth and seamless communications. Research is also ongoing to focus on technologies that will facilitate the unification of current and future generation heterogeneous networks to support a truly pervasive and ubiquitous networking experience.
• The Multimedia Signal Processing and Communications Cluster conduct studies on how multimedia compression technologies and their transmission methods can be improved. Researchers also work on ways to better manage and retrieve current multimedia resources on the web.
• Incorporating the various multimedia and network technologies into our work and living areas is the forte of the Pervasive Computing Cluster. This cluster works on ways to make technological communication support as readily available as the air we breathe. Their research promises to make walls have not only ears, but voices, eyes, and even brains!
Centre for Smart Energy Systems (CSES)
Director: A/Prof Tseng King Jet
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/eee/eee1/research.asp
Mission
The development of intelligent systems, from concept to commercialization, in a multi-disciplinary and holistic manner, for the efficient and clean harvesting, storage, delivery and utilization of energy.
Research philosophy
With the national emphasis on clean and green energy, and the potential external funding for NTU, it was timely that the School of EEE started its strategic initiative on Clean Energy. With effect from 1 May 2007, the previous Centre for Advanced Power Electronics (CAPE) has been re-named and re-structured as the Centre for Smart Energy Systems (CSES). However its track record goes back to more than 20 years of research and education by members of the Power Engineering Division. Its overall objective is the development of intelligent systems, from concept to commercialization, in a multi-disciplinary and holistic manner, for the efficient and clean harvesting, storage, delivery and utilization of energy. It offers broad-based solutions to the global energy and environmental challenge facing mankind.
Research focus
§ Generation of Clean and Renewable Energy
From various sources such as solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, wind, marine tidal stream, micro-hydro and bio-fuels, into the eventual electrical form.
§ Smart Energy Distribution
With particular attention to distributed renewable energy management systems, flexible transmission-distribution grids, smart network control and communications, power quality, and system integration issues.
§ Energy Storage Systems
Including advanced batteries, fuel cells, flywheels, ultra-capacitors, super-conducting magnetic energy storage systems, the power electronic converters for interfacing these storage systems, their design, modeling and control issues.
§ Energy Efficiency in Utilization
Including energy-efficient power converters, solid-state lighting systems, electric motor drives, land-air-marine transportation energy systems, new power semiconductors and power integrated circuits.
§ Energy and Power Market
Design and analysis of market institutions, mechanism and computational tools, risk analysis, financial engineering, intelligent energy metering with power-line and wireless communications.
Centre for Signal Processing (CSP)
Director: Assoc Prof Ser Wee
http://www.csp.eee.ntu.edu.sg/asp/index.asp
Vision
To become a well referred research centre in the world on digital signal processing.
Mission
To spearhead research and development of signal processing technologies for the future.
Research philosophy
With the vision that future systems are becoming more intelligent and connected, we strive to create significant impact on enabling digital signal processing technologies in these areas.
Research activities
CSP was first formed as a research centre in the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) in 1991. From August 1995 to March 2002, CSP received its core funding from A*STAR (then NSTB) and operated as a national research centre. Since April 2002, CSP has been re-organised as a research centre in the School of EEE, with the mission of spearheading the research and development of signal processing technologies for the future.
CSP is organised into 4 research programmes with a total of about 100 research staff (including about 35 professors and more than 65 researchers and research students). Specifically, 3 thrust areas have been identified as the focus for research projects: biomedical signal processing, homeland security, and intelligent human-machine interface.
Computer Integrated Medical Intervention Laboratory (CIMIL)
Director: Assoc Prof Ng Wan Sing
Research activities
Research at CIMIL focuses on topics related to medical robotics and computer assisted surgery. Activities at CIMIL cover areas such as image processing, robots in medicine and computer visualisation to assist surgery.
Some of the key research projects are in the following areas:
• UROBOT
• CROBOT
• Image Processing
• Augmented Reality Technology (ART)
Emerging Research Lab (ER Lab)
The ER Lab identifies and incubates new and emerging areas of research in the disciplines of science, computing, and engineering which have high research values and commercial potential.
Research activities
In addition to the I2R-SCE Joint Lab on Intelligent Media, the ER Lab currently houses three research programmes with externally funded projects in collaboration with overseas and local partners.
Research areas
• Evolutionary and Complex Systems
• Cognitive and Neural Systems
• DNA Chip Design
Energy Research Group
Coordinators: Assoc Profs Chan Siew Hwa and Ho Hiang Kwee
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/mae/Research/Programmes/Fuelcell
The Energy Research Group at the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering comprises the Fuel Cell and Energy Research Laboratory (FCERL) and the Energy System Laboratory. These two laboratories are recognised leaders in their respective areas of activities in Singapore. The FCERL plays a leading role in Singapore and the region in advancing technological developments for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) and Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC), with research work ranging from fundamental research in electrochemistry, materials sciences and materials processing, to the application of fuel cells.
The Energy Systems Laboratory has core strengths in the development, evaluation and assessment of clean energy and energy efficient technologies that are particularly relevant to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in Singapore and the region, such as integrated energy systems (e.g. cogeneration and tri-generation systems), advanced cooling and dehumidification systems, renewable energy, and building energy systems.
The group has been successful in obtaining substantial R&D and consultancy funding from both internal and external sources (A*STAR, DSTA, EDB and other government agencies and industries), and have also filed several patents showing the potential commercial value of the work to date. Members of the group have also played a key role in outreach, advisory and advocacy activities to promote fuel cell and energy research, development and testing in Singapore universities, A*STAR, government agencies (EDB, NEA, HDB, DSTA, etc.) and industries.
Facility for Analysis, Characterisation, Testing and Simulation (FACTS)
Director: Assoc Prof Timothy John White
http://www.characterisation.com.sg
Vision
To be a focal point of investigations in materials science at NTU and across the wider research community through the provision of world class facilities and training for the examination of condensed matter.
Mission
To maintain a suite of state-of-the-art electron and X-ray beam hardware and software accessible to researchers nationally and internationally and advise scientists and engineers exploring the solid state.
Research activities
FACTS focuses its research on the atomic level crystallographic, structural and chemical analysis using electron and X-ray probes to provide an essential underpinning for the design, development and validation of nanomaterials.
FACTS supports a broad range of research across NTU, NUS and the A*STAR Research Institutes. In addition, FACTS conducts research in the following areas, where materials processing are developed and optimised through exploitation of advanced diffraction and imaging techniques:
• Energy – fuel cell electrolytes
• Ecomaterials – photocatalysis, radiation damage and waste solidification
• Porous materials – selective absorption, inorganic membranes
• Synchrotron methods – photoelectron emission microscopy
FACTS is supported by top-end diffraction and imaging instruments as a suite of facilities (equipment, software, databases) and it includes:
• Scanning Electron Microscopy
• Transmission Electron Microscopy
• Powder X-ray Diffraction
• X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer
• X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer
• Small Angle X-ray Diffraction
Access is available at:
• The Singapore Synchrotron Light Source (SSLS) for anomalous X-ray diffraction and X-ray imaging; and
• Bragg Laboratories at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation for neutron powder diffraction.
FACTS has also been successful in developing unique training courses in X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy that serve researchers throughout Singapore, developing on-line training and virtual scanning electron microscopy and servicing more than 150 clients through an on-line booking and billing system.
Vision
• To be one of the major research labs/centres for research and development in the areas of forensics, biometrics, and security technologies.
• To be a strong research arm between academic and industry to support R&D activities in forensics and security for Singapore.
• To create a synergistic group dedicated to research in the application of computational techniques to biometrics, information security and forensic analysis.
• To perform cutting edge research and train and develop talents to support Singapore’s efforts in the areas of Homeland Security and Infocomm Security.
• To make use of strong research base to further enhance the research contributions from NTU to the international arena in the areas of forensic and security.
Research activities
• Forensic analysis
Forensic analysis of computer storage devices, forensic analysis of handwriting, and forensic examination of digital devices including mobile phones and PDAs.
• Biometric technology
Facial, fingerprint and palmprint recognition, gait, DNA and skin or hair colour analysis, biometric techniques using infrared imaging.
• Security engineering
Intelligent video surveillance and monitoring for suspicious human action, facial analysis using emotion and expression, automatic searching and classification of image content, and clustering techniques for feature selection.
The gameLAB aims to develop technologies and techniques for commercial and experimental digital art, animation and game through research, innovation, education, training and production. Our lab serves as a labyrinth for computer scientists and engineers, artists and animators, storywriters and musicians, and user-interface designers to create new algorithms, tools, and systems to advance the state-of-the-art digital art and animation productions, including interactive forms of animation such as web-based animation and games. As one of its goals, the lab will engage the industrial players intensely to accelerate the growth of the digital media industry in Singapore.
Research activities
(1) Computer Graphics and Animation
(2) Computer Vision and Image Processing
(3) Human Computer Interface
(4) Game Artificial Intelligence
(5) Novel Game Design and Genres
(6) Serious Games and Applications
Interaction and Entertainment Research Centre (IERC)
Director: Assoc Prof William Russell Pensyl
Mission
The Interaction and Entertainment Research Center is a University Level Research Centre in Nanyang Technological University. IERC is dedicated to creative cross-disciplinary collaborations between various university departments, as well as with government and industry partners.
Areas of focus are in interactive spaces, robotics in art and entertainments, animation technologies, mixed and augmented reality, interactive fine art, games, education/training, and simulation.
The mission of the Entertainment Research Center is to develop an interdisciplinary approach to research centered around the interfaces between people and computing systems that unlock the power of human intelligence and link minds. The Center’s research encompasses science, technology, education, design and entertainment together with real world application of designed tools, product, culturally relevant artistic experiences and new media applications. The research, design, innovative projects and experience exist at the intersection between the arts and technology.
Research activities
The IERC explores the effects of new technologies on the traditions and metaphors of traditional creative practice and production. The Centre poses and attempts to answer critical questions which are of cultural and technological significance:
• What new art forms and practices can emerge from new technologies?
• How can computers become vehicles for our creative expression?
• How can the expanding universe of data become physically present in our daily life?
• How can humans and technology work, create and play together as a new kind of symbiotic organism?
Inspired by leading multidisciplinary research programmes such as ZKM and the Banff Centre for critical artistic focus, and Xerox PARC and MIT’s Media Lab for bold technical innovation, IERC exploits the power of collaboration across the boundaries that define traditional academic territories. The IERC’s integrated approach is reflected in current projects that stretch across such diverse themes as entertainment technology, computer assisted creativity, stage robotics, tangible media, augmented reality and theatrical performance.
Projects include:
• The Wishing Well, by Assoc Prof and artist, Louis-Philippe Demers
Liquid Stage is part of a series/studies of interactive installations rendering pixels in various spectrum of stages of matter in action – liquid, solid, gaz and rooted in the four elements: water, earth, fire, air. Rendering pixels is seen as a broad translation of the Wishing Well. These stages will encompass the use of mechanics, robotics, electro-magnetic, pneumatic, sound and light. When the studies will be completed, this will also represent a research on visualization and alternate sources of “displays”. The Dry Liguid Study explores the paradigm of multi-touch interaction and enables an unlimited number of visitors to engage in the experience of touching a dry water surface.
• Area V5, by Assoc Prof and artist, Louis-Philippe Demers
Recent developments in the field of Social Robotics and Artificial Intelligence call for the prominent role of eye movements in establishing meaningful dialogue between humans and machine. Area V5 is an artistic comment on the social robots hypothesis. The installation will invite the viewer to experiment the enigmatic gaze of hundreds of disembodied eyes in an out-of-context surveillance from impotent machines. The title of the work refers to the visual area V5, also known as visual area MT (medial temporal). V5 is a region of the extrastriate visual cortex that is thought to play a major role in the perception of motion, the integration of local motion signals into global percepts and the guidance of some eye movements.
• REAL, by Assoc Prof and artist, Louis-Philippe Demers, in collaboration with Prof Rolf Pfeifer, AILab, Uni of Zurich
We propose to develop a radically new robotic kit for classes at schools and higher education sectors as well as for hobbyists, autodidacts and professionals. REAL departs from existing robotic kits by empowering important concepts and methodologies from modern AI research and Artistic explorations, so far absent from existing solutions. REAL will then propagate key concepts (such as synthetic methodology, ecological balance, cheap design, self-organization) amongst practitioners in other fields such as social sciences, economics, art, design and architecture. These concepts encourage novel problem solving strategies, which may be more adequate for many challenges in an increasingly complex and dynamic world.
Artists who work with technology (e.g. in Media Art) employ an entirely different planning and development process than scientists and engineers. Specifically, artists engage in a bottom-up approach that iterates through several relatively short cycles of planning, development, observation and modification. This creative approach possesses many similarities with the synthetic methodology, which forms a recent and essential aspect of modern AI research.
• Computer Assisted Cel Animation (CACAni), this research into animation technologies directed by Prof Seah Hock Soon under the Computation Arts Group (CAG)
The software tool is based on novel and advanced computer graphics and image processing technologies for traditional cel animation that automates ‘tweening’, the tedious process of adding additional movie frames in-between the ‘key-frames.’, and automating the ‘coloring’ process.
• A Real-time Stable Markerless Tracking for Augmented Reality Using Image Analysis/Synthesis Technique, by Russell Pensyl
This project proposes a markerless tracking technique using image analysis/synthesis approach. Its task is to minimize the relative difference in image illumination between the synthesized and captured images. Through the use of a 3D geometric model and correct illumination synthesis, it promises more robust and stable results under different scenarios resulting in robust real-time markerless tracking. Providing reusable and extendable software modules easily integrated with different graphics and physics engines to facilitate advancement in AR applications for games and education, our research overcomes the lack of versatility and limited graphics and vision capabilities in the existing AR tools. This framework drives the creation of AR applications in games and education. Demonstration of this new work in markerless tracking will be carried forward in mixed reality installations such as those listed below:
• The Long Bar, Location Based Entertainment, using mixed reality in real world spaces and environments, by Russell Pensyl and Daniel Jernigan
The piece will use mixed augmented reality technology to develop culturally and historically significant events into fully interactive artistic experiences. Participants wearing head mounted display systems will witness various notable figures, including Somerset Maugham, Joseph Conrad, and Ava Gardner, immersed within that very real world environment allow.
• Everyman, The Ultimate Commodity 3.0, Experimental Staging Using Augmented Reality, Computer Vision, Inertial Sensors, Interactive Installation and Digital Media, by Daniel Jernigan and Russell Pensyl
An experimental theatre production using mixed and real time augmented reality technologies to spin a tale of a sinister alternate-future Singapore where the population becomes an unwitting supply of genetically modified organ donors. Based on a story by Singapore writer, Gopal Baratham and adapted for the stage by Daniel Jernigan from NTU’s Department of English, Version 2.0 was staged at the Fringe Toronto Theatre Festival in July 2007. The play featured noted Singapore actors, Gerald Chew, Debra Teng and Sara Yang. The technology was demonstrated in the 6th International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality in Nara, Japan in November, 2007. Version 3.0 research covers processes and system architecture for mixed reality in performance, methodologies for creating 3d modeled and animated assets and virtual characters, creation of augmented reality environments where the virtual characters can interact with live action actors, custom designed extrinsic calibration methods and the use of three axis gyroscopic accelerometers for sensor tracking systems and in wireless position tracking to accommodate mixed reality in large volume spaces and in the inconsistent lighting environment of the theatre stage.
In addition, a wide range of smaller projects will contribute technology to the above, as well as showcase their own innovations in the areas of augmented reality, vision and sensor-based tracking, tangible media, haptic interfaces, motion capture, context-aware and ubiquitous computing, location-aware media and many others.
Lien Institute For the Environment (LIFE)
Director: Assoc Prof Li Bing
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/cee/life
Vision
Our vision is to improve the living conditions of rural communities in developing countries by providing safe water, sanitation and shelter.
Mission
Technology Development:
• Source or develop a spectrum of appropriate technologies for deployment in developing countries
Transfer of Technology:
• Capacity building in reaching out to developing countries
Training and Consulting:
• Cultivate interest in environmental action programmes and technologies.
Overview
The LIEN Institute For the Environment (LIFE) was established in April 2006 as a pioneering collaboration between Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the Lien Foundation for development of appropriate technologies to help improve the quality of life of rural communities across Asia. This special partnership creates a powerful synergy between the Lien Foundation with its strong network and NTU’s technical expertise, to provide effective solutions to crucial development issues of water, sanitation and shelters.
LIFE is an action-oriented research centre that is working to develop, implement and promote affordable, eco-friendly, socially and culturally acceptable technologies and practices for serving the unmet needs of the poor in society. Driven by the motto “Bridging the Last Mile”, LIFE is committed to delivering sustainable development to local communities through the channels of collaboration, technology development, technology transfer, and training and consulting. A key objective of the institute is to enhance humanitarian relief, development work and disaster mitigation efforts, by providing technological and consultancy support to NGOs worldwide, that is targeted at improving the lives of others.
LIFE has been involved in development projects in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The areas of focus of activities of LIFE are:
· Water
§ Rainwater harvesting
§ Water treatment and arsenic removal
· Sanitation
§ Wastewater treatment and rural wastewater treatment
§ Ecological sanitation
· Shelter
§ Seismic strengthening
§ Seismic resistant and low cost housing
Maritime Research Centre (MRC)
Director: Assoc Prof Tan Soon Keat
Mission
• To establish a focal point for research and development for the maritime industry;
• To develop innovative approaches of port management and utilisation of coastal environment resources; and
• To provide continuing education and professional training in port operation, maritime practices and coastal management.
Research activities
MRC excels in hydrodynamics, hydraulics, environmental engineering, and logistics. Representative activities include Active Operator Guidance System for Ship, South China Sea Circulation Model, Two-ship Interactions, Development of a Shipboard Quality Assurance System for Bunker Fuel Transaction, and Design of an Optimised Liner Service Planning.
The Centre focuses on the initiation and undertaking of research to develop technologies and IT applications in the port and maritime field, management of joint R&D projects between the MPA and NTU as well as collaboration with local and international institutions and industry partners.
MRC’s research facilities include Hydraulics Laboratory, Environment Laboratory, Geotechnics Laboratory and Construction Technology Laboratory, Protective Engineering Laboratory, Spatial Information Laboratory, Transportation Laboratory, and numerical simulation and computational facilities.
Microelectronics Centre (MEC)
Director: Assoc Prof Pey Kin Leong
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/eee/eee6/mec/index.asp
Vision
• To be an internationally renowned leading edge research laboratory, specialising in new semiconductor-based materials, nanostructures/devices and microsystems; and
• To create new knowledge and technological know-how for the future of microelectronics and nanoelectronics.
Mission
• To spearhead cutting edge research in semiconductor materials and devices, and microelectronic integrated microsystems.
Research philosophy
• To collaborate with leading edge laboratories in microelectronics areas.
Research activities
MEC has complete facilities for the fabrication of compound semiconductor and a wide range of other semiconductor and non-semiconductor thin film devices, sensors and circuits. The facilities include two Class¬100 and one Class-10-10,000 clean rooms, Materials Characterisation Laboratory, Sensors and Actuators Laboratory, Ion Beam Processing Laboratory, IC Design and CAD/ CAM Laboratory as well as equipment for molecular beam and liquid phase epitaxy, vacuum evaporation and sputtering, wet and dry etching, lithography, chemical vapour deposition with electron cyclotron resonance and microwave sources and deposition systems using the filtered cathodic vacuum arc technique.
Advanced research work in silicon processes and devices is carried out in the Microfabrication Laboratory. This includes the development of low power CMOS, BiCMOS and SOI technologies to support the research effort in integrated circuit design, especially for sensors and sensor interface circuits. The processing facility is supplemented by a number of laboratories which house equipments for optical, structural and surface characterisation of materials, testing of high frequency devices and circuits, measurement of photonic devices and systems and characterisation of sensor materials and devices. Circuit design and simulation are accomplished using an extensive network of computer-aided design tools, based on which a variety of device simulation and process modelling software for different advanced applications are developed.
The research activities are focused on the following:
• Silicon Nanoelectronics
• Nanodevices and Materials
• Computational Nanoelectronics
• MEMS and Integrated Microsystems
• Compound Semiconductors materials and Devices
MicroMachines Centre (MMC)
Director: Assoc Prof Miao Jianmin
Vision
To make the MMC a world class MEMS research centre in the near future.
Mission
To establish a creative research culture and develop new micro/nano/bio fabrication technology and novel Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) design for supporting Singapore’s knowledge-based economy through research collaborations and manpower training.
Research activities:
MMC is a multidisciplinary research centre with a 500m2 clean room equipped with sophisticated MEMS fabrication characterisation equipment/facilities. The centre’s research areas range from the mechanical sensor design, micromachining, optical and RF MEMS, microfluidic MEMS for the biomedical applications to MEMS process development and materials research. It is developing nanofabrication and nanomachining technologies for the new wave of nano and bio research. Currently, the Centre undertakes the research of MEMS/NEMS, nanotechnology and biochip fabrication.
MMC is the biggest research centre for MEMS research in the world. It has established an excellent reputation in Singapore and overseas. The Centre welcomes researchers from Singapore and overseas to NTU to use the sophisticated clean room facilities and to collaborate in MEMS/nanotechnology/biochip research.
The Centre supports the dual Masters Degree programme of MEMS engineering with the French University Ecole Superieure d’Ingenieurs en Electrotechnique et Electronique (ESIEE). It is the first such kind of dual degree masters programme in MEMS engineering in the world. The course covers from the MEMS fabrication, design and characterisation to nanotechnology, bioengineering and project management. MMC hosts this programme and the Centre’s faculty members give the students lectures and the hands-on training in the cleanroom for the MEMS fabrication and design.
Network Technology Research Centre (NTRC)
Director: Assoc Prof Shum Ping, Perry
Vision
To be a centre of excellence for research, education and training in the areas of communications and computer networking technologies.
Mission
To spearhead strategic research in state of-the-art communications and computer networking technologies for short- and long-term benefits to the industry in Singapore.
Research activities
NTRC is an inter-school research centre hosted by the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) with participation from the School of Computer Engineering (SCE). The establishment of NTRC by Digital Equipment Singapore and NTU in November 1991 provides a focal point for researchers with interest in communications and computer networking to undertake research and development works of strategic importance to the Singapore’s economy.
Situated in the latest state-of-the-art Research TechnoPlaza, NTRC owns a total lab space of 12,000 square feet and is fully equipped to provide technical support and facilities to both academic (undergraduate and postgraduate levels) and industry-relevant research in the areas of data communications, local and wide area networks, digital signal processing, radio systems, optical transmission systems and fibre-based computer networks. In addition, NTRC currently enjoys a strong staff strength comprising 40 academic and research staff, 35 full-time research students and 50 undergraduate students.
The core research activities carried out in NTRC can be broadly classified under four research programmes:
(1) Power Line Communications
• Power line channel modeling
• MAC and network protocols for PLC Networks
• PLC systems with low EMI radiation
• Building control and monitoring systems
(2) Optical Communications
• Nonlinear fibre optics
• Generalised multiprotocol label switching
• Photonic crystal fibres based devices
• Optical channel monitoring
• Fibre grating based devices and fabrication systems
(3) Network Control and Engineering
• Network modeling and performance analysis
• Traffic engineering (congestion/ admission control, buffer management)
• Quality-of-Service (QoS) provisioning
• Reliable multicast protocol design
(4) Mobility Network Technology
• Radio resource management and packet access for 3G cellular
• WPAN technologies (Bluetooth and UWB)
• Mobile ad hoc network (MANET)
• Multihop cellular networks
• Multihop Cellular Network Architecture
The mission of the Parallel & Distributed Computing Centre (PDCC) is to form a Centre of Excellence in the area of parallel and distributed computing; to carry out research where goals of the projects are connected to real concerns; and to enhance the research profile of the University by putting the name of the Centre on the international research map. In pursuit of its mission, PDCC strives to seek new industrial projects where parallel and distributed computing can provide a solution to real problems; to conduct leading edge research and advance knowledge; and to foster research collaborations both nationally and internationally.
Research activities
Current research activities in PDCC can be broadly grouped into five interest areas:
Parallel and Distributed Simulation: distributed simulation of high-tech manufacturing and service systems, and distributed virtual environments for training applications.
Grid Computing: middleware and applications using grid and cluster computing in areas such as e-engineering, digital media, and computational biology.
Collaborative Working Environments: collaborative internet computing and computer supported cooperative work.
Multi-Agent Systems: applications of agent technology in grid computing and simulation.
High Performance Computing: performance modeling and characterization, resource mapping and scheduling.
Photonics Research Centre (PhRC)
Director: Assoc Prof Tjin Swee Chuan
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/eee/eee6/PhRCweb/
Mission
• To establish excellence in photonics research and teaching. In the area of research, PhRC has generated high-impact results in various aspects of photonics, and has spawned many international and local collaborations and initiatives in photonics research. In the area of teaching, PhRC provides training and education to the undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as practising engineers.
• To be the key leading research centre in photonics in the Asian region.
Research activities
PhRC is dedicated to research and teaching in the fast-paced field of Photonics science and technology. PhRC was originally founded in 1994 as a photonics research laboratory under the Microelectronics Centre, and was the first of its kind in Singapore. It became a school-based research centre in 2003, with about 18 academic staff and over 50 PhD students. PhRC has signed numerous MOUs with international collaborators and, more recently, the centre established the Thales@NTU joint research laboratory with Thales of France in 2006 to develop dual-use technologies.
PhRC conducts cutting-edge research in many areas of optics and photonics, which may be broadly divided in the following three programmes:
• Fibre and Laser Optics
This programme deals with the research areas of passive and active fiber components, soliton generation and transmission, infrared wireless communications, fibre optic sensors, solid state lasers, MEMS and micro-optics design and fabrication.
• Biophotonics
This programme covers the areas of optical tweezers, diagnostic immunoassay, laser-induced fluorescence, time resolved studies of biological samples using femto-second pulsed laser and pulsed UV laser. PhRC is exploring other applications with clinicians both locally and overseas.
• Photonic Materials and Devices
This programme comprises research areas relating to semiconductor optoelectronic materials, devices and processing; sol-gel oxide materials, devices and processing; polymers and liquid crystal display materials and devices; and advanced materials, mesoscopic structures, meta-materials, nanofabrication processes, device integration and applications (e.g. RF Photonics).
PhRC has the following laboratories:
Photonics Laboratory I, Photonics Laboratory II, Photonics Lab III (Nanophotonics), Photonics Training Laboratory, First Year Laboratory C. An affiliate laboratory is the Micro-Fabrication Facilities (MFF) for fabrication of optoelectronic devices, and a joint PhRC-NTRC Laboratory for optical communication research.
The Centre has one of the highest concentrations of laser systems in Singapore with laser wavelength from UV (193 nm excimer laser) to IR (10.6 micron CO2 laser).
The Centre is also host to one the first Competitive Research Programs (CRP) awarded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) to NTU in 2007. We have a host of semiconductor fabrication and characterisation equipment, including a Metal-Organic Chemical Vapour Deposition (MOCVD) epitaxy system, an inductive-coupled plasma etching equipment, a mask aligner with nano-imprint lithography, and a new electron-beam lithography system to be acquired in 2008. Most of these equipments are housed in the new Class-100 MFF facility.
Physiological Mechanics Laboratory (PML)
Director: Assoc Prof Yeo Joon Hock, Tony
Vision
To achieve internationally leading-edge research and innovations in biomechanical and biomedical engineering.
Mission
• To develop new effective technologies, approaches and medical devices to aid in cardiac/cardiovascular surgery, spinal surgery, and non-invasive intervention and detection for critical diseases.
• To impact worldwide bio-engineering and medical professional societies with consistent research prominence and productivity.
Research activities
PML has a long history in the development of artificial heart valve prostheses. Research activities in this area include computational design and manufacturing, finite element analyses of structure/function relationship, and in-vitro experimentation and numerical modeling of fluid dynamics, for assessment of new aortic and mitral valve prostheses.
Main recent accomplishments have been the invention of a series of heart valve molds and new implantation technique which allow safe and fast reconstruction of prosthetic aortic and mitral valves from autologous pericardium. PML has demonstrated its strength in heart valve research with four US patents and numerous fine publications. Researchers in PML engage in active and rewarding collaborations with hospitals, research institutions, universities, home and abroad.
PML also hosts intensive research in the following areas:
• Glucose monitoring technology which aims to develop more effective means for noninvasive optical monitoring of blood glucose levels for patients of diabetes mellitus
• Arterial pulse waveform monitoring technology that enables true evidence-based intervention and detection of pre-disease stage for hypertension and other blood pressure related diseases
• Finite element modeling of human Spine, including its fundamental mechanics, Vibration characteristics, traumatic analyses under car impact or pilot ejection, evaluation of new spinal implants for treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration, etc
• Computational fluid dynamics modeling for the human cardiovascular system, which offers insights into surgical interventions such as vascular bypass grafting, vascular stenting, mitral chordal transection, mitral annuloplasty, etc.
Positioning and Wireless Technology Centre (PWTC)
Director: Assoc Prof Guan Yong Liang
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/centre/pwtc
Vision
To be a centre of global excellence in Who, Where and When (WWW) technologies.
Mission
To lead and promote Research, Innovation and Training in Wireless Communication, Identification, Positioning and Tracking technologies.
Research activities
PWTC was established in March 1999 [formerly known as Global Positioning Systems Centre (GPSC)]. PWTC is an inter-school research centre hosted by the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) with participation from the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) and School of Computer Engineering (SCE).
PWTC’s research focus is on future generations of wireless communication and positioning techniques leveraging on components, systems and techniques developed under the following research programs:
• Wireless Networking
This research program aims to excel in the research and development of advanced communication techniques and solutions in the PHY (physical), MAC (medium access control) and networking layers of broadband wireless systems of WPAN (wireless personal area network, e.g. UWB), WLAN (wireless local area network, e.g. WiFi), WMAN (wireless metropolitan area network, e.g. WiMax) and cellular mobile radio network.
• RF Identification (RFID) and Tagging
This research program aims to excels in the design of antennas and arrays systems such as ultra wideband (UWB) RFID, 900MHz and 2.45GHZ RFID, GSM and DCS cellular mobile, and 60GHZ wireless LAN.
• Global Navigation Satellite System and Applications
This research program focuses on outdoor positioning techniques and applications. Its areas of interest includes high accuracy positioning systems such as differential GPS (DGPS) and centimetre-level UWB positioning, intelligent in-vehicle navigation, multi-objective routing and map matching, GPS-based attitude determination of LEO micro-satellite
• Media Embodiment, Delivery, Interaction and Acquisition (M.E.D.I.A)
This research program’s mission is to investigate new robot systems and new AI theory with the aim of integrating them together with wireless communication, positioning and identification techniques in order to develop the humanoid robots of next generation, which can be deployed to achieve effective acquisition, delivery and interaction of digital media to, and with, users in real space, real-time and real-application environment.
Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology (PEN) Centre
Acting Director: Assoc Prof Zhou Wei
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/mae/research/programmes/precision/index.htm
Vision
• To emerge as a world-class centre and leader in the field of nanofabrication and nanometrology.
Mission
PEN Centre’s mission is driven by two main thrusts:
• Knowledge creation in strategic areas of nanofabrication and nanometrology; and
• Manpower training and transfer of new knowledge to local industries.
Research activities
PEN Centre’s niche areas are in precision engineering, nanometrology, and nanofabrication. The research focus includes ultra-fast laser micromachining, focused ion beam technology, ultra-precision machining and nanometrology.
The Centre’s strength is in nanofabrication and nanometrology. Its ability in Focused Ion Beam Technology has impressed and convinced Infineon Technologies Asia Pacific Pte Ltd and WinTech Nano-Technology Services Pte Ltd to choose PEN Centre as their partner to support their R&D. PEN Centre has also positioned itself as one of the regional leaders in the area of precision engineering and nanofabrication research. It has established itself as an effective and relevant research centre to the industry and is well recognised internationally. Its priority is in carrying out upstream ‘user-inspired’ research that is relevant to local industries, especially those that address the challenges of next generation manufacturing technologies.
Protective Technology Research Centre (PTRC)
Director: Prof Pan Tso-Chien
Mission, vision and research philosophy
The threefold mission of PTRC is:
• To spearhead research efforts in developing advanced protective technology;
• To provide scientific and engineering solutions to meet the national needs in weapons and defence systems; and
• To address emerging national challenges for both government and industry in the field of protective technology and homeland security.
Research focus
Concerned with the dynamic and the weapon effects on buildings and infrastructures, PTRC focuses its activities on three functional areas:
(1) Research and Development
(2) Education and Training
(3) Technology Transfer
The functional areas comprise the following activities:
• Conducting focused R&D programmes in dynamic and weapon effects on infrastructures and facilities
• Establishing collaborations with local and foreign universities, research centres, and industries
• Effecting technology transfer
• Maintaining a resource centre
• Providing specialised advisory services.
Research facilities
The Protective Engineering Laboratory housed in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering is designed to conduct dynamic load testing of full-scale structural components. The laboratory has a system of L-shaped reaction walls with multi-cell design, a large shake table that can stimulate earthquake ground motions, and many dynamic actuators of various capacities to support protective engineering research.
Centre’s strengths, outstanding programmes/highlights of research activity
Established on 29 September 1998 via a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and NTU, PTRC has since administered 30 projects with a total funding of S$21.4 millions. Under the strong leadership of Professor Pan Tso-Chien, PTRC has developed into the leading centre of excellence in underground technology and rock engineering. This is prominently reflected in PTRC’s contribution of essential technologies towards the engineering as well as the construction of underground ammunition facilities. Besides building up PTRC’s strength in underground technology and rock engineering, the PTRC research team has completed a milestone study on the response of high-rise commercial buildings to blast loading. The study results have not only helped identify the R&D needs for building protections in the post-911 era, but also provided the basis from which a national programme on building protection was initiated. The Centre has a current strength of 26 faculty members, and 18 research staff and students. In terms of outreach programmes, PTRC had successfully organised 7 public seminars, 3 short courses and 2 workshops during the period.
Centre’s achievements
PTRC has initiated and been involved in the initial planning and coordination of the 8th Pacific Conference on Earthquake Engineering (8PCEE). It was jointly organized by School of CEE and New Zealand National Society for Earthquake Engineering, and received an overwhelming response of more than 200 papers and 239 participants. A variety of speakers from over 36 countries participated in the conference, which provided an invaluable forum for designers and researchers to share ideas on the state-of-the-art earthquake resistant designs. During the 3-day conference held on 5 to 7 December 2007 at Swissotel Merchant Court, there were 8 Keynote Speakers and 108 presentation sessions.
Residues and Resource Reclamation Centre (R3C)
Director: Assoc Prof Wang Jing-Yuan
Vision
To become a centre of competence for use-inspired R3 research in the nation and region
Research philosophy
Wastes are not waste; they are misplaced resources following manufacturing activities and treatment processes. With proper management and suitable technologies, waste residues can be converted into reusable/new materials, energy, and other products with value.
Mission
• To establish itself as a focal point for residues and resource reclamation (R3) research and translation
• To serve as an R3 resource and technology transfer centre
• To provide continuing education and training to professionals in R3 area
Research activities
R3C aims to conduct research and translation work and ultimately to develop technologies on waste minimization, conversion of residues into resources, contaminated environment remediation, and other related fields. The research programmes within R3C are grouped into three multidisciplinary clusters including both basic and applied research in R3 field.
These three clusters include:
• Cluster 1: Conversion of residues into reusable/new materials
• Cluster 2: Conversion of residues into energy
• Cluster 3: Remediation of contaminated environment
R3C is a focal point for synergistic research collaborations with leading government agencies, industry partners and educational and research institutions, both locally and around the world. R3C has active collaborations with the key environmental players in Singapore, including the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR), the National Environment Agency (NEA), and the Public Utilities Board (PUB). R3C is also working with industrial partners including ecoWise, SembEnviro, Sulo, Lioapex, IUT, Keppel-Seghers, and CH2Mhill. R3C’s overseas partners are internationally renowned and highly regarded for their residues and resource reclamation research.
These institutions include Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg in Germany, University of New South Wales in Australia, Tongji University in China, National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan, and University of California, Berkeley, USA. In addition to performing research, R3C provides consultancy and advisory services to various agencies and corporations both in Singapore and in Asia and the Pacific region including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Productivity Organization, and the United Nations organizations (e.g. UNEP, UNDP, and UNESCAP).
Robotics Research Centre (RRC)
Director: Assoc Prof Gerald Seet Gim Lee
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/mae/centres/rrc
Mission
• To consolidate, focus and accelerate robotics research activities within the University
• To bring together researchers in the area of robotics into a conducive environment equipped with state-of-the-art research facilities
• To cooperate with industrial partners and government agencies in fields of strategic importance to robotics
• To provide consultancy services to the local industry in robotics and related areas
Research activities
The Centre emphasises its research on:
• Customised robotic solution for hazardous applications
• Domain applications: underwater robotic vehicles, underwater imaging, mixed-multi agent collaboration, biomedical manipulation, sensing
• Mobile robotic “hardware-in-loop” simulation
The RRC provides modern state-of-the-art equipments and a stimulating environment for those who are participating in research activities. Research facilities include high speed imaging and laser illumination system, complex mobile robot systems, industrial manipulators, dynamic simulation and analysis software, suite of sensors and mobile platforms, including the Segway HT and MRP, and the ARGO ATRV. The centre is also well consulted by defence and industrial sectors for robotic/mechatronic solutions.
Research Centres under College of Science
Bioscience Research Centre (BRC)
Director: Prof Law Sai Kit, Alex
Vision
The Life Science Initiative, started by the Singapore government a number of years ago, has created an increased demand for the training of high quality research scientists in the fields of bioscience. The Bioscience Research Centre (BRC) of the School of Biological Sciences (SBS) at NTU has been created to specifi cally fulfill this need. Envisaged to include around 60 research labs along with the supporting core facilities that give access to state-of-the-art research equipment, it is a vision of the way institutes of higher learning will be run in the future.
It is the vision of both SBS and BRC to foster strong interactions between scientists at the BRC, but also at other Schools and Departments of NTU by providing the necessary environment to perform cutting edge research. It is hoped that access to these facilities to interested Scientists will ultimately lead to closer interactions and collaborations between a wide range of research groups.
Biomedical research in the 21st Century is a highly advanced field requiring sophisticated and expensive equipment. By creating a research environment that will bring together researchers from different schools at NTU and providing all the state-of-the-art equipment, the BRC aims to be the research centre that is at the forefront of biomedical research in Singapore and beyond.
Research activities
Research in the centre forms a subset of that in the School of Biological Sciences and is split into four main areas:
(1) Molecular and Cell Biology
This includes work on a variety of experimental systems that include bacteria, viruses, cancer and yeast.
(2) Genomics and Genetics
This includes stem cell research, malaria, genetic disease and microbial ecology. In addition, there is a microarray facility that has recently been established.
(3) Computational and Structural Biology
This includes research on the structure of biomolecules using X-rays, bioinformatics, spectroscopy and NMR.
(4) Chemical Biology and Biotechnology
This includes groups which examine the chemical (and biological) properties of peptides and proteins, with applications in a variety of fields including infectious disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer. There is also a new proteomics facility that has recently been established.
Research in the four mains areas outlined above is facilitated by an animal facility and a BSL3 laboratory, which are both located within the centre.
These areas have environmental, particularly human health, applications that the Cluster aims to explore.
Drug Discovery Centre (DDC)
Director: Prof James Tam
http://www.sbs.ntu.edu.sg/research/ddc/index.php
Mission
• For accelerated drug discovery through the generation and in-vitro biological screening of chemical libraries using molecular and cell-based assays.
• To focus on translational research aimed at identifying and validating useful biological targets for disease intervention and discovering candidate molecules as drug leads through the use of multi-disciplinary approaches that employs techniques in genetics, molecular and cell biology, chem- and bioinfomatics and systems biology, computational biology, chemical and structural biology, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacology.
Research activities
The DDC aims to establish a world-class drug research organization for the discovery of breakthrough therapies, and for the education and training of future-generation professionals with specialized expertise in drug discovery research.
It has been built to capitalize on and rapidly translate the basic research findings from the Bioscience Research Centre (BRC) to practical clinical solutions. It can be envisaged that in this process, Intellectual Property (IP) rights can be generated and start-up and licensing opportunities created. Research activities within the DDC focus on the early stages of the drug R&D process, i.e. validating disease targets and discovering candidate molecules as drug leads. In vitro biological screening of compound collections and libraries using molecular and cell-based assays are some of the approaches utilized. High throughput screening models are developed along with sample banking, automation and database systems. Collaborative acquisition of compound collections from partners such as Institute Materia Medica (China) is another strategy adopted by the DDC for expanding the potentials. Target areas include: neurological and degenerative diseases, infectious diseases, regenerative medicine such as stem cell research, cardiovascular, cancer and immunological disorders.
The DDC strives to provide a centralized platform for individual research labs to gain access to the required resources, research tools and expertise that are otherwise beyond their reach.
Platform technologies include:
• Functional genomics
• Parallel synthesis of discrete compound libraries
• Robotics of plate-format system for high throughput screening
• Other research automation
• IT support
Research Centres under College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC)
Secretary-General: Assoc Prof Indrajit Banerjee
Mission
The School is also closely affiliated with the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC). AMIC is a charity-registered organisation established in 1971 with the support of the Government of Singapore and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung of Germany. It aims to spearhead the development of media and communication expertise in the Asia-Pacific to foster socio-economic progress in the region.
• To be at the cutting edge of emerging research issues in the Asian media landscape
• To direct and produce world class research projects, events and publications focused on Asian media
• To assist in capacity building and networking of Asian media institutions, professionals, academics, policymakers, civil society and students
• To partner with traditional and new media organisations in furthering the cause of development in the Asia-Pacific region
• To assist global research and development organisations in exploring partnerships with the Asian media and ICT community
Research activities
As a research centre, AMIC initiates and organises research projects, training programmes and a research publication. It encourages the development of institutional capabilities to conduct appropriate research programmes through networking, exchange of research fellows and joint research activities. It enhances the capabilities and resources of communication research institutions in the region.
Centre for Chinese Language and Culture (CLCC)
Director: Assoc Prof Lee Guan Kin
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/cclc/research/
Mission
• To facilitate, coordinate and encourage inter-disciplinary and discipline-specific research in Chinese language and cultural issues of interest in the Chinese world;
• To provide a platform for interaction among international and local scholars from various disciplines to exchange latest research findings and ideas;
• To organize a range of integrated activities such as international conferences, public lectures including “Tan Lark Sye Professorship in Chinese Language and Culture” Public Lectures “陈六使中华语言文化教授基金”公开演讲, academic seminars, public forums and workshops;
• To offer Master’s and PhD programmes by research in Chinese language and culture;
• To produce academic publications including working papers, monographs, books and journals; and
• To serve as the point of contact between Nanyang Technological University and similar centres in other international and local academic institutions.
Research activities
CCLC was set up in April 1994, gearing towards excellence in the research of Chinese language and cultural issues in the Chinese world. In the past decade, CCLC has established well known reputation as an important research institution in the region of Southeast Asia, with successful academic workshops and conferences as well as good-quality publications on topics pertaining to Chinese language and culture, and Chinese overseas. CCLC also hosts academic forums regularly to promote scholarly exchange among its academic staff and to the benefit of its graduate students pursuing Master’s and PhD Degrees.
CCLC is focused on the following research areas:
(1) Chinese Tradition and Cultures in Asia华人传统与文化
(2) Chinese Language and Dialects in Asia 华族语言与方言
(3) Chinese Literature in Asia 华文文学
(4) Chinese History and Folklore in Asia 华族历史与民俗
(5) Literary and Social Traditions in the Chinese World 文学传统与华族社会
(6) Chinese Migration and Networks: Local and Global Issues 华人移民与网络
(7) Chinese Education in Southeast Asia 东南亚华人教授
CCLC is currently publishing three major publications, namely:
(1) Nantah Journal of Chinese Language and Culture (“Nantah Journal”, 《南大语言文化学报》)
(2) Nantah Chinese Language and Culture Series (“Nantah Series”, 《南大语言文化丛书》)
(3) Nanyang Series of Humanities Studies (“Nanyang Series”, 《南洋人文丛书》)
The Nantah Journal is an internationally refereed journal. To date, six volumes (with twelve issues) of the Journal have been published.
The Nantah Series includes monographs on Chinese language and culture, Chinese tradition and folklore, and Chinese literature in general. CCLC’s academic staff, while conducting research themselves, supervise research students enrolled in Master’s and PhD Programmes offered by the Centre. Overseas research fellows are invited to collaborate with the staff of the Centre and the research results are published eventually as the collections of the Nantah Series. To date, a total of twenty-two academic monographs have been published under the Nantah Series, resulting from various research projects conducted since 1994.
The Nanyang Series, launched in early 2006, includes collections of monographs and various serials such as the serials of 1) the History of Nanyang University (“Nantah History Serial”, “南洋大学历史研究”系列), 2) the National Boundaries and Cultural Configurations (“National Boundaries Serial”, “国家疆界与文化图像”系列), etc. To date, six monographs have been published, two of which were published under the Nantah History Serial, and four were published under the National Boundaries Serial.
Starting from 2008, CCLC will be producing another academic journal, entitled The International Journal of Diasporic Chinese Studies 《华人研究国际学报》, in collaboration with three other organizations, which are: 1) Centre for Chinese Studies, University of Manchester, 2) Centre for Overseas Chinese Research(COCR), Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), and 3) Global Publishing Pte Ltd.
Centre for Liberal Arts and Social Studies
Director: Prof Lawrence Wong
Mission
The Centre for Liberal Arts and Social Studies (CLASS) was established as a school-level research centre in 2006 to facilitate, coordinate and encourage both inter-disciplinary and discipline-specific humanities and social sciences research at NTU. It has six research clusters including Global Studies, Urban Studies, Chinese and China Studies, Gender Studies, Singapore Studies, and Language and Cultural Studies.
Research activities
Activities organised by the research centre include seminars, lectures, workshops and conferences. CLASS, in association with the Division of English, hosted a major international literary studies conference on the theme of ‘Irresponsibility’ in September 2006, at which former President of the Modern Language Association (MLA), J.Hills Miller delivered the keynote address. CLASS, with the Division of English, hosted the Pulitzer Prize winning author, Robert Olen Butler in September 2007, and featured the Whitbread book prize winning poet, Paul Durcan, in February 2008. Together with the Division of Economics, CLASS hosted another international conference ‘Singapore Economic Review Conference (SERC) 2007’. In August 2007, the 2001 Nobel Laureate in Economics, Professor Joseph Stiglitz, delivered a keynote address to the NTU community. CLASS seeks to provide a platform for interaction among local and international scholars from the various disciplines to exchange their latest research findings and ideas.
CLASS also houses the Singapore Economic Review (SER), a journal of the Economic Society of Singapore, which has a long history of publication since 1956. With effect from February 2007, the editorial office of the Singapore Economic Review (SER) has been relocated to the School of HSS in NTU. This is a significant milestone for HSS as the journal has been housed at the National University of Singapore (NUS) for the past 50 years.
Digital Creative Centre (dCc)
Director: Prof Isaac Kerlow
Mission
The Digital Creative Centre (dCc) is an interdisciplinary creative and research centre that blends a think-tank, an R&D lab, and a production centre into one. The dCc explores creative projects and concepts that are unique and original to the region and that incorporate new technologies or new media.
Research activities
During its first year, dCc is offering visiting fellowships and is preparing a collection of Digital Notebooks.
Economic Growth Centre (EGC)
Director: Prof Lim Chong Yah
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/hss/egc/default.htm
Mission
The Economic Growth Centre was established by the Division of Economics in 2004. Since its launch, the Centre has set up three new research units: the Economic Modelling Unit, the Exchange Rate Dynamics Unit, and the Survey and Social Research Unit. The Econometric Modelling Unit aims to make regular forecasts of exchange rates of selected countries such as China, Hong Kong, Japan, USA, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. The Survey and Social Research Unit aims to conduct opinion and information surveys on interesting and important policy and economic-related issues facing Singapore and the region, such as the adequacy or otherwise of the current CPF system to meet old-age requirements, and the reasons for selecting Singapore as a regional base by multinational corporations. The Centre also organises conferences, workshops and public talks on key issues relevant to Singapore and the region. It provides and designs executive and professional workshops ‘tailor-made’ for government ministries, statutory boards, private organisations, foreign governments and international agencies. Other activities of the Centre include joint research workshops, research seminar series and research collaborations with overseas and local universities.
Research activities
(1) Research Seminars in 2008
Ø 5 March 2008: "Monetary Policy in Singapore: Flexibility and Resilience Amidst Uncertainty" by Mr Edward Robinson
Ø 20 February 2008: "The Incidence of the Earned Income Tax Credit in the United States" by Mr Kampon Adireksombat
Ø 13 February 2008: "Modeling Insurance Claims with Extreme Observations: Transformed Kernel Density and Generalized Lambda Distribution" by Assoc Prof Low Chan Kee
Ø 23 January 2008: "EU - East Asia Economic Relations" by Professor Carlo Filippini
Ø 18 January 2008:"The Sustainability of China's High Growth" by Professor Wing Thye WOO
Ø 15 January 2008: "Satisficing Solutions to a Monetary Policy Problem: A Viability Theory Approach" by Dr Jacek B.Krawcyzk
(2) Working Paper Series – Papers Issued in 2008
Ø “Forecasting Business Cycles in a Small Open Economy: A Dynamic Factor Model for Singapore”, by Hwee Kwan CHOW & Keen Meng CHOY.
Ø “The Role of Families in Shaping Youth Social Participation: Evidence from Singapore”, by Irene Y.H. NG, Kong Weng HO and K.C. HO.
(3) Joint Research Workshops
Ø Workshop on "Recent Advances in Econometric Methods and Applications", 11-12 January 2007.
(4) Research Collaborations with Overseas Universities
Ø Seminars by Distinguished Visiting Professors of Economic Growth Centre:
Ø Professor Ronald McKinnon, “The East Asian Dollar Standard and Conflicted Virtue: Will China Follow Japan?”, 10 August 2005.
Ø Professor David Greenaway, “The WTO, Developing Countries and the Doha Round", 3 August 2005.
Language and Communication Centre (LCC)
Director: Assoc Prof Lai Phooi Ching
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/hss/lcc/default.htm
Mission
The Centre has courses designed for our undergraduates and graduates to sharpen these tools of learning. It is where communication skills courses are taught to NTU students. Courses at the Centre are not limited to speakers of English as it also offers modern language electives in French, German, Japanese, Korean, Malay and Spanish. LCC operates with 30 full-time staff who conduct research in areas such as language learning and teaching, and information and communication technologies, which ensures the currency and vibrancy of our courses.
The Language and Communication Centre aims to advance the teaching of and research on language and communication. It equips NTU students with the skills to communicate confidently, knowledgeably and effectively in a global setting.
Research activities
Faculty of the Language and Communication Centre offers research and professional services, short courses, and consultancies in the following areas:
· Business writing
· Business grammar
· Business and technical presentations
· Technical report writing
· Interpersonal communication
· Negotiation skills
· Communication and Leadership
· Public Speaking
· ESL/EFL
· Teacher training and Teacher education
· Web-based communication and development of teaching websites
· Professional editing
The Centre has research collaborations with the following organizations:
· Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore
· Air Liquide,
· MSI
· SAF
· SMRT
· Various local schools and institutions in Singapore
· University of Seoul and
· Daegu University, Korea
· National Taipei Teachers College
· The Bureau of Education, Taipei City Government
Singapore Internet Research Centre (SiRC)
Director: Assoc Prof Ang Peng Hwa
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/sci/sirc/
Mission
The Singapore Internet Research Centre (SiRC) is hosted at and has received initial funding from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
The goal of the Singapore Internet Research Centre is to be a premier Asian research institute on the Internet, and bring Asian experiences and perspectives to the global discussion about the development, impact, and potential of the Internet, and to conduct and promote broad-based high-quality multidisciplinary research in Internet development, e-services, new media use and social impact, and policy for the benefit and advancement of individuals, organizations, nation and society. The Centre focuses research attention on the experiences of Asian nations with the Internet.
• To initiate and promote high quality analytical research on a variety of issues associated with the Internet in the Asian context.
• To develop international networks with researchers and research for research collaboration, analysis, and technological development, as well as with industrial, research and educational organizations in Singapore and overseas.
• To provide umbrella for multiple large and small scale research projects, and generate external research funding and collaborative relationships.
• To disseminate research findings through grant reports, journal articles, book projects, and conferences.
Research activities
Research projects of the Centre are in the following areas:
· Internet & Society
· E-governance & Politics
· Policy & Regulation
· Internet Economics
· Tsunami Research
The Centre also organises conferences, workshops and seminars and research related to the Internet across Asia, including East, Southeast, and South Asia. Faculty associates of the Centre engage in wide variety of collaborative research efforts with other researchers around the globe. Although the research efforts are primarily supported by faculty from NTU, it engages in a wide variety of collaborative efforts with researchers and institutions worldwide.
Research Centres under Nanyang Business School
Asian Business Case Centre
Director: Assoc Prof Wee Beng Geok
Mission
The Asian Business Case Centre (ABCC) is part of the Nanyang Business School. Its mission is to build a virtual community of people interested in case writing, teaching, learning and research about Asian management and the Asian business experience. Since its inception, the ABCC has published more than 120 case studies written by NTU faculty. The ABCC also publishes cases submitted by faculty from other universities in the region.
Research activities
· Provide research and case writing support to faculty and the publication of case studies about Asian organizations
· Collaborate with industry partners such as the Ministry of Manpower, DesignSingapore Council and the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore to research, write and publish case studies or reports in specific areas.
· Maintain and build an e-catalogue of Asian case studies collected from academic institutions worldwide and made accessible in a single location.
· An initiative to write/translate cases in the Nanyang Case Collection into Chinese
· Publication of Casebooks under the Asian Management Case Collection Series on:
Ø Government Linked Companies and other organizations in Singapore
Ø Hospitality Industry in Asia
· Collaborate with Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management (CNI) to survey best practices in the Asian hotel industry and publication of best practices casebook.
Centre for Accounting & Auditing Research (CAAR)
Director: Prof Tan Hun Tong
http://www.nbs.ntu.edu.sg/research/CAAR/CAAR.asp
Mission
• To promote quality academic and applied research in accounting and auditing as well as to foster links with industry through joint research and consulting.
Research activities
· Planning, conducting, and providing administrative support for research on significant issues relating to accounting or auditing
· Organising research seminars, workshops, round-table discussions and forums on emerging or controversial issues affecting the accounting and auditing profession
· Circulating working papers and other monographs to disseminate research findings amongst academics and professionals
· Organising or supporting the organisation of local and regional accounting conferences for academics and professionals in the Asia-Pacific region.
· Please refer to http://www.isarhq.org/ for details of the International Symposium of Audit Research (ISAR)
Centre for Asia Pacific Technology Law (CAPTEL)
Director: Assoc Prof Tan Soo Kiat, Harry
http://captel.ntu.edu.sg/home.htm
Mission
The Centre for Asia Pacific Technology Law & Policy is an interdisciplinary research centre founded to explore the challenges of new technologies on the development of law and policy so as to promote development of its role in the Asia Pacific Economies.
CAPTEL is a research centre located in Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University. It is one of the first technology law and policy centres in the world to be founded in a business school. It is within the fertile environment of business academia and industry that the centre's early days were sown.
As a result, CAPTEL was created specifically be a centre for research and consultancy in technology law and policy for the promotion of the Asia Pacific region.
It is a centre created to accommodate a diverse cross discipline expert for the purposes of:
· Developing a vehicle for applied legal research and policy development
· As a regional think tank for institutions seeking expert advice and consulting
· Developing joint research in technology law and policy between Schools in NTU and with other top research arms and centres
· To be the organisational platform for academics for academic exchanges
· Developing leading edge industry oriented programmes
· To be a repository of knowledge on specific areas of information and technology law being developed in the Asia Pacific region
The core objective of the centre is to conduct developmental research on technology law and policy. To achieve this objective, the centre will have multi-track themes to reflect the diverse expertise from the School and associate fellows:
· Protection Regimes for Intellectual Property Rights
The laws relating to the protection of intellectual property of new technologies and to the new property developed by the use of new technologies.
· Legal Infrastructure for E-Business
Research on the development of International Treatises, Codes and Model Laws and their impact on E-Commerce.
· Regulation of the Internet
Researching the development of Standards for Internet Regulation to manage Internet conduct in the Asia Pacific; Content regulation.
· IT Laws
Cybercrime, Technology Security, Privacy and other IT laws.
· Telecommunications Law
Access Issues.
· Biotechnology Law & Ethics
Research in related laws and policy and regulatory infrastructure.
· ICT Competition Law
· Development of a repository database of relevant laws and cases in the region for further research
Collecting and sharing with the Public information on the region's reported cases and developments affecting technology.
Centre for Leadership & Cultural Intelligence (CLCI)
Executive Director: Prof Ang Soon
Director of Research: Assoc Prof Ng Kok Yee
Mission
To lead in the generation of Knowledge, Assessments, and Programs (KAP) for growing culturally intelligence individuals and organizations.
Research activities
(1) Developing reliable and valid psychometric and performance-based tools for assessing cultural intelligence.
(2) Establishing the predictive validity of cultural intelligence through field and experimental studies. Findings of our studies are disseminated through international publications and conferences.
Our latest publications include:
Ø Ang, Van Dyne, Koh, Ng, Templer, Tay & Chandrasekar (2007). Cultural intelligence: An individual difference with effects on cultural judgment and decision making, cultural adaptation, and task performance. Management and Organization Review, 3, 335-371.
Ø Ang & Van Dyne (Editors) (2008). Handbook of Cultural Intelligence. ME Sharpe.
Ø Organizing CQ symposium to disseminate and exchange views to advance CQ research. Our next symposium, titled “Empirical Advances in Expanding the Cultural Intelligence Nomological Network,” will be held in the 23rd Annual Conference of the Society and Industrial and Organizational Psychology at San Francisco, U.S.
(3) Designing programs for developing individuals’ and organizations’ CQ. Our participants include business executives and students from various continents including Asia, North and South America, Europe and Australia. We will also host a professional development workshop on CQ in the 68th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management (August 2008) in Los Angeles, U.S.
Significant achievements
Professor Soon Ang, Executive Director of CLCI, was awarded the prestigious Nanyang Awards 2007 for Research and Innovation, for her pioneering research on cultural intelligence. Professor Kok Yee Ng, Research Director of the Center achieved unprecedented twin awards for Best Teacher and Researcher of the Year for her teaching and research on Leadership and Cultural Intelligence.
Centre for Research in Financial Services (CREFS)
Acting Director: Assoc Prof Charlie Charoenwong
http://www.nbs.ntu.edu.sg/research/CREFS/CREFS.asp
Mission
• To improve productivity and performance of financial markets and institutions in Singapore and beyond
• To advance knowledge for the finance services industry
Research activities:
CREFS was established in 1992 to support high quality research on the major issues concerning the global financial market. The research focus of the Centre comprises central banking policies, corporate finance & governance, derivatives, equity & fixed-income markets, fund management, and market microstructure.
The Centre regularly runs a research seminar series to stimulate new ideas and to facilitate interaction between scholars and practitioners. CREFS has also organized finance research conferences, conducted executive education programs, and undertaken industry consulting.
Information Management Research Centre (IMARC)
Director: Assoc Prof Sia Siew Kien
http://www.nbs.ntu.edu.sg/research/IMARC/IMARC.asp
Mission
IMARC's vision is to create and disseminate knowledge for effective IT management through innovative cross-disciplinary research and interactions with leaders in academia, business and government.
Research activities
IMARC conducts joint research with many organisations and collaborates with researchers world-wide on high-quality research publications. The nine major research themes are listed below.
(1) Electronic Commerce
The development of the Internet as an enabler of business has led many in the business world to question fundamental assumptions. In an increasingly dynamic environment where each technological innovation has the ability to bring forth new competitive challenges, an awareness of the different facets of electronic commerce is crucial. IMARC's faculty has been actively engaged in researching, consulting and teaching the diverse aspects of the e-commerce phenomenon since it appeared on the business landscape. In particular, they are currently examining the following critical areas:(1) e-commerce strategy, (2) e-process design, (3) online service quality, (4) trust in e-commerce, (5) emerging interactive marketing models, (6) on-line consumer behavior, (7) B2B marketplaces, and (8) legal issues in e-commerce.
(2) Strategic Global IT Management
Business competitiveness depends on the appropriateness of an organisation’s strategy given its environmental context, and the design and performance of its business processes in achieving its strategic intent. This stream of research seeks to understand the role that IT plays in Asian businesses, and how organizations can effectively align global business and IT strategies by managing the development and implementation of their IT assets, including (1) leadership roles in IT-enabled organisational change, (2) flexible information technology infrastructure, (3) essential strategic capabilities for fast adaptation and innovation, (4) pay-off from IT investments, and (5) new competencies for the IT function.
(3) Enterprise Resource Planning
ERP systems represent a major change in organisational information systems in terms of their scale and scope, reliance on vendors and advocacy of best practices. They are pervasive and often mission critical. Streamlining and integrating organisational procedures and standardising them over a single platform were what these systems promised. However, cases of expensive ERP implementations going awry has led many to recognise the inherent challenges of successfully implementing such complex package software. Research is currently in progress on these themes: (1) cultural fit of the underlying ERP business models, (2) partitioning the sources of misfits in ERP, (3) process issues in analysing, designing, and implementing ERP, and (4) situated learning in ERP implementation.
(4) Supply Chain Management
To enhance their competitiveness, companies are today paying greater attention to the management of their supply chains. Improvements in information technology have meant that accurate information and sophisticated models can now be used to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of supply chains. Recent developments in Internet technologies and B2B e-commerce have generated new opportunities for leveraging supply chain management as a means of enhancing a firm’s competitiveness. The focus of SCM research within the centre is two pronged. One stream of research focuses on supply chain/logistics within a single firm or a single vertically integrated entity. Here the research focuses on the solution of specific models for optimisation of part or whole of the integrated logistics system. The second stream of research focuses on mechanisms for co-ordinating a supply chain comprising different corporate entities. Specific research issues addressed include: (1) SCM/inventory management for Internet-based businesses, (2) management of 3PL (third-party logistics), (3) systems for Cross Docking, (4) price discounts as a co-ordination mechanism,(5) multi-echelon/capacitated inventory models, and (6) facility location/warehouse location.
(5) IT Personnel Management: Careers & Competencies
One of the most pressing areas of concern for organisations has been to identify the drivers behind the recruitment and retention of technical professionals. Turnover and skills obsolescence have always been a serious problem in the IT function and it is with this in mind that the research has been structured. Research is currently in progress on these aspects of the theme: (1) retention of key technical talent, (2) integration of technical professionals into the organisations, (3) development of technical careers and professions, (4) development of individual competencies among technical professionals, (5) managing technical obsolescence in the workforce, (6)cross-cultural competencies, and (7) compensation, reward and incentive systems for technical professionals.
(6) Management of the IT and Business Process Outsourcing
The past two decades witnessed the growing popularity of outsourcing among business in all industries, with the recent advent of the ASPs (application service providers) being its latest manifestation. However, businesses have had varying levels of success with outsourcing. IMARC faculty have had a multidisciplinary program of research in outsourcing that covers multiple levels of analyses (from individuals to organisations), adopts multiple theoretical perspectives (from economic to psychological to sociological), and employs multiple methodologies (from qualitative case studies, to legal & archival research, to quantitative large-scale field-studies). Research is currently in progress on these aspects of outsourcing: (1) types and drivers of outsourcing, offshoring, and backsourcing, (2) management of vendor client relationships in outsourcing or vendor transition, and (3) causes of success and failures of strategic outsourcing.
(7) Data mining, Data Modelling and Decision Support Systems
A key competitive advantage among firms today is their expertise at leveraging the knowledge they have within their organisations. This skill has become a crucial differentiator within industries. Applications such as customer relationship management, decision support systems, risk analysis, and fraud detection are examples where organisational knowledge has been innovatively exploited. Our research associates are actively involved in exploring the implications of data modelling in web-based environments and the development of data mining applications to solve business problems. Specifically, our Data Mining Centre has won the SAS Enterprise Computing Award (Academic Institution) for both 2000 and 2001, on the strength of its extensive research programs.
(8) E-Government
As the Internet matures, governments around the world are trying to harness its potential in terms of service delivery as well as better governance. IMARC faculty studies the antecedents and consequences of e-Government, with a special focus on e-Gov developments in Singapore. Specific areas of research include: (1) measurement of e-Government activity, (2) determinants of e-Government maturity, (3) consequences of e-Government, with special attention to the digital divide, and (4) open-source software adoption in e-Government.
(9) Virtual Communities & Knowledge Management
Research on virtual communities explores how diverse individuals from around the world meet in virtual spaces to exchange knowledge and perform tasks. Virtual communities range from auction sites such as eBay, to virtual worlds such as Second Life or World of Warcraft, to bulletin boards and Usenet newsgroups, blogs, Internet Relay Chat and Instant Messenger environments. Faculty who work in this area have generally explored: (1) how communities band together to resolve problems (e.g., fraud), (2) how a sense of community evolves in virtual communities, (3) the governance of virtual communities by members, organizational owners (e.g., eBay), and governments, and (4) knowledge sharing and knowledge exchange in virtual communities.