Research Highlightsresearch.ntu.edu.sg/News/Documents/ResearchReports04/02-21_R... · Research Highlights 3 ... electron microscope image of an entire granule (left bottom); and scanning

Res

earc

h H

ighl

ight

s

R e s e a r c h H i g h l i g h t s 3

Epicentres of earthquakes with magnitude ≥ 6.5 (1960-2004),

including the massive earthquake which occurred undersea

on 26 December 2004 and resulted in over 150,000 deaths

due to tsunamis.

Effects of long-distance major Sumatra earthquakesA research team led by Professor Pan Tso-Chien(School of Civil and Environmental Engineering) has

investigated the tectonics and seismology around the Sumatra

region to determine the maximum probable earthquakes that

may be generated by the subduction process at the Sunda

Trench and the Great Sumatra Fault. They also assess the

effects of strong ground motion that may be generated by the

major Sumatra earthquakes on Singapore’s built environment.

Biogranulationtechnologies

Granule images: Granules in

a test-tube(left top); scanning

electron microscope image of

an entire granule (left

bottom); and scanning

electron microscope image of

granule surface showing rod-

shaped bacteria (right top).

The CEE research team led by Professor Tay Joo Hwa(School of Civil and Environmental Engineering)

has successfully created microbial granules for use as

powerful bioagents for high performance biological

wastewater treatment. The team achieved another major

groundbreaking feat with the successful cultivation of

aerobic granules which can tolerate and treat high

concentrations of toxic chemicals, and which can rapidly

remove inorganic substrates in the absence of organic

substrates. A patent for this technology has been filed in

the US, European and Asian countries. The team also

introduced advanced molecular imaging techniques to

optimize granule size and maximize performance

efficiency under different treatment situations.

The UTRE program spearheaded by Assoc. Prof. Zhao Jian(School of Civil and Environmental Engineering) is a joint

research and development between Defence Science and

Technology Agency (DSTA) and the Protective Technology

Underground Technology and Rock Engineering (UTRE)Research Centre (PTRC). It concentrates on underground

technology and rock engineering related to the development of

underground protective structures in Singapore rocks.

Underground Technology and Rock Engineering (UTRE)

meeting.

4 R e s e a r c h i n N T U

Fire engineering researchAssoc. Prof. Tan Kang Hai (School of Civil andEnvironmental Engineering) and the Fire Engineering

Research Group at NTU aims to breakthrough the stereotype of

prescriptive-based code. The objective of this project is to set up

a new performance-based design guide for the fire resistance of

steel structures. This would serve as a design guide for structural

engineers or mechanical engineers and also hopefully, fill in the

gap between the prescriptive and the performance-based fire

code. With the new guide, a fire scenario will be simulated by a

more realistic fire curve. The restraining effect of the surrounding

cool structure will also be taken into account. Therefore, the new

guide will help structural engineers to make more realistic,

economic and innovative fire protection design

in Singapore.

The study conducted by a team led by Assoc. Prof.Lu Yong (School of Civil and EnvironmentalEngineering) involved both numerical modeling and

experimental investigation with results incorporated into

NATO Safety Manual. The recommendations derived

from this study for the ground shock prediction and

structural damage assessment were officially endorsed

at a NATO AC258/UGSWG Meeting in October 2002

to be incorporated into “The NATO Manual on Safety

Principles for the Storage of Ammunition and Explosives

(AASTP-1 PART III-B)”.

Study on underground blast induced ground shock andpotential damage to surface structures

Experimental investigation on the effect of underground blast to surface

structures.

Numerical stimulation study for ground shock prediction & structural damage assessment.

Fire test conducted together with FSSD (Fire Safety and

Shelter Department).


Assoc. Prof. Yuan Xiaocong (School ofElectrical & Electronic Engineering) from

the Division of Microelectronics led a group of

graduate students in developing an optical

tweezers technique (Optical trapping group).

Some typical optical trapping results are

selected for demonstration as shown on the

right.

Development ofoptical tweezerstechnique

A team headed by Assoc. Prof. Liu Ai Qun (School ofElectrical and Electronic Engineering) has invented a glass

plate which only require a single drop of blood to test for cancer.

This new method is so easy that even family doctors can perform

the test, reducing the time and cost of cancer-testing.

Fast and cost-effective cancerdetector test

Optical trapping system and refractive scanning optical trap holding 10

microparticles of 3µm in diameter, in a circular ring. This is a new version of

time-sharing optical trapping.

Using novel optical trapping modes, microstructures are

arranged from a circle to a pyramid by a noninvasive

technique based on optical light forces and orbital

angular momentum.

The biophotonic microchip for measuring the refractive index

of the cells.

Overview of a biochip fabricated by a polymer material on a glass

substrate.

Research team of the biophotonic microchip. From left to

right: Mr. Liang Xiaojun, Ms. Sun Yi, and Mr. Zhang Xuming.



Development of silicon based VLSI technology has progressed at

a nearly exponential rate and made a huge impact on almost all

aspects of human life. However, the technology is unlikely to adapt

to the high demand of next generation of electronic devices

because of several serious problems, such as fundamental

physical limitations, extremely high fabrication costs, etc. In

contrast, molecular electronic devices can, in principle, overcome

CNT patterns of “NTU EEE”

prepared using microwave

CVD. The magnification of the

photo is 100.

The surface morphology of CNT-FETs.

Clearly, a SWCNT is bridging the two

adjacent electrodes.

Features of our CNTFETsHigh on/off ratio: > 104.Hole density: 2.8x106cm-1.Hole mobility: 30-50 cm2/Vs.

(Hole mobility of SiMOSFET: 50~160 cm2/Vs.)

Contact Resistnce: 350 KΩTransconductance:

gm = 1.4 x 10-8 A/V, ~1900 µS/µm.

gm of Si MOSFET

Development of carbon nanotubes for molecule-sized sensor

Illustration of CNT based

glucose sensors and the

amperometric responses

at an applied potential of

+0.65 V for the CNT

electrode (a) and a glassy

carbon electrode (b).

(b)(a)

The top-view of CNT

based NH3 gas sensors

and their response.

these problems, because it is possible to have single-molecule devices that are

organized cheaply in parallel self-assembly. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), depending

on their diameter and helicity, behave as one-dimensional metals or

semiconductors, which by virtue of their great electrical current handling capability,

high thermal conductivity and high mechanical toughness, represent an ideal

material for molecular/nano electronic devices. A team led by Assoc. Prof. ZhangQing (School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering) working in the

Microelectronics Centre, has successfully developed CNT based field effect

transistors, glucose sensors and NH3 gas sensors, etc. A few unique physical

phenomena have been observed and studied by the team.


Assoc. Prof. Wang Han (School ofElectrical & Electronic Engineering) has

designed a ‘Guide-way Intrusion Detection

System’ (Gids) that uses light signals to detect

objects that fall onto the tracks from the LRT

station platform. The system which is installed in

the middle of the tracks consists of four laser

radars mounted on a rack, two facing each

platform. The radar sends out light pulses that are

reflected back by the platform. Any intrusion

breaks the light signal and triggers an alarm.

Radar to detect intrusion on LRT tracks

Assoc. Prof. Wang Han with the Infra-red

light sensor.

Nanyang Technological University has come up with a

surveillance system that capitalizes on video processing

technology. This system, developed by Assoc. Prof. TanYap Peng (School of Electrical and ElectronicEngineering), is smart enough to detect and decide if a

swimmer is in danger of drowning, and subsequently send an

alert in less than five seconds.

Preventing swimming pool drowning

A team led by Assoc. Prof. S. Balasuriya (Schoolof Electrical and Electronic Engineering) has

developed a robot with the "brains" to manoeuvre

autonomously underwater. Unlike its peers, NTU's

versatile submersible is programmable for various

missions instead of just dedicated ones. The robot can

be used in depths of up to 100m and is expected to

have numerous applications from underwater oil and

gas exploration and the study of marine life to even

mine detection for counter-terrorism at sea.

“Brainy” robot does the job underwater

Assoc. Prof. S. Balasuriya and his "brainy" robot that is

able to manoeuvre autonomously underwater.

Surveillance system able to detect

and decide if a swimmer is in

danger of drowning.


The laser at work. The configuration is flexible

to cater for heavy rail such as the MRT where

the platform can be as long as 200 metres.


A team of researchers from the School of Electrical andElectronic Engineering (EEE), led by Assoc. Prof. GanWoon Seng, has completed a prototype system, called NTU

Audio Beam System (ABS). This system has the capability to

project sound in a desired direction like a beam of spotlight. NTU's

team used a combination of mathematical analysis, digital sound

NTU researchers led by Asst. Prof. Koh Tong San (Schoolof Electrical and Electronic Engineering) have come up

with a new method of taking images of a cancer tumour. The

breakthrough can lead to better diagnosis and tracking of the

progress of follow-up treatments.

Novel sound reproduction system

New light on cancer – NTU plays a role

Faster and smaller computer chips are on the way from NTU, with

researchers there at the cutting edge of materials science

technology. Researchers led by Prof. Yoon Soon Fatt (Schoolof Electrical and Electronic Engineering) have come up

with a new nanotechnology process that enables smaller and

faster computer chips to be built. This process is based on

building computer chips made of an alloy that transmits data

through light rather than today's traditional metal wiring. The use

of quantum dot technology in lasers look set to herald a new era

in electronics and optical communication.

Smaller and faster chips

Picture shows the growth

of quantum dots in a

clean room environment.

Audio Beam loudspeaker.Novel sound reproduction system.

Asst. Prof. Koh Tong San

presenting a new method for

taking images of a cancer tumour.

processing, and hardware and software

engineering to achieve this feat and has

filed for several patents in Singapore and

the United States. Potential application

areas for this system such as in cinema

sound systems and advertising billboards

were also mentioned in the programme.



Assoc. Prof. Joseph Chang and Asst. Prof. Gwee Bah-Hwee (School ofElectrical and Electronic Engineering) have developed several novel low-voltage

ultra-micro-power asynchronous circuits for power-critical biomedical applications.

These circuits are the building blocks for digital signal processors that can perform

complex computations without the usual associated high power dissipation. A USA

patent has been filed for the Wallace-Tree Parallel 16x16-bit Multiplier. They have also

developed a very power-efficient high-fidelity digital Class D amplifier for advanced

digital hearing aids. A multinational consumer electronics manufacturer has expressed

interest in their Class D amplifier.

An array of microphones to track the location of a desired speaker

and form a beam to the desired speaker to pick up his/her voice

and suppress the interference was developed by Assoc. Prof.Ser Wee (School of Electrical and ElectronicEngineering). The design aims for real-time implementation in

places such as auditorium, conference room and health caring

applications, overcoming some inherent difficulties.

Smart microphone array

Asynchronous logic circuits and classD amplifier in biomedical applications

Microphotograph of a microchip

embodying the 3 asynchronous logic

circuits and the digital Class D amplifier.

Fingerprint image quality analysisThe performance of an Automated Fingerprint Identification

System (AFIS) is very sensitive to the quality of the captured

fingerprint image. Fingerprint image quality analysis can

enhance the reliability of the AFIS system by accessing

fingerprint features such as directional strength, sinusoidal local

ridge pattern, ridge/vally uniformity and core occurrences. This

work is being pursued by Assoc. Prof. Ser Wee and Mr.Lim Eyung (School of Electrical and ElectronicEngineering).

Microphone array.

Automated Fingerprint

Identification System.

1 0 R e s e a r c h i n N T U

Development of tissue engineering scaffolds using rapidprototyping techniques

Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)

fabricated scaffolds models using

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

with different raster width and air gap.

The results revealed that scaffolds with a

wide range of porosity and mechanical

properties can be fabricated via FDM.

A research team in the School of Mechanicaland Aerospace Engineering (Assoc. Prof.Chua Leok Poh and Prof. D. Ghista) develops

a complete three-dimensional aorto-right coronary

bypass graft model under representative

physiological conditions, delineating the blood flow

patterns and wall shear stresses deemed to play a

major role in intimal hyperplasia. It is inferred from

this work that sites favouring the development of

arterial diseases are the toe region and the floor of

the artery, where the spatial wall shear stress

variations are high. The corresponding wall shear stress distribution of the bypass model

simulating the flow field of the anastomosis.

3D aorto-rightcoronary bypass graftmodel

A generic computer-based parametric library and assembly algorithm for scaffold

structures, Computer Aided System for Tissue Scaffolds, CASTS, has been developed

by Assoc. Prof. Chua Chee Kai; Assoc. Prof. Leong Kah Fai and Assoc. Prof.Lim Chu Sing (School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering). The

method is conceived to overcome the limitations of conventional fabrication in creating

scaffold micro-architectures that are optimised for the regeneration of different tissues

and organs. Using the library, the user can select from a variety of standard unit

construction polyhedral shapes to decide the unit shape that will be used in

assembling the scaffold micro-architecture.

The research team has successfully explored the feasibility of using Rapid Prototyping

(RP) technology to replace the cumbersome conventional techniques for fabricating

Tissue Engineering (TE) scaffolds to meet the stringent requirements for TE scaffolds.

(b)

PR image of the Blitz green treated

fingerprint on fluorescing smooth

calendar paper.

New technique for fingerprint imagingA research team led by Assoc. Prof.Seah Leong Keey (School ofMechanical and AerospaceEngineering) has developed a new

imaging technique for fingerprint imaging.

The proposed Phase-Resolved (PR) optical

imaging technique is based on the phase

shift occurring on the fluorescence

emissions from the background and

fingerprint, when excited with modulated

laser, depending upon their fluorescence

lifetime values. This technique enables

imaging of older fingerprints of more than

one year, on different substrates with

strong background fluorescence.

(a)

Conventional digital image of the Blitz

green treated fingerprint on

Fluorescing smooth calendar paper.

R e s e a r c h H i g h l i g h t s 1 1

Imitating natural propulsion system (biomimetic) is an alternative

to solve the concern caused by propellers, which produce greater

amount of marine debris, continued mortality of manatees as a

result of propeller strikes, and disturbance of shallow waters

ecosystem. Research by Assoc. Prof. Low Kin Huat (School

Imitating the natural propulsion system

A cuttlefish and its biomimetic underwater robot counterpart.

Biomimetic robot in a water tank for an experiment to investigate its propulsive thrust.

of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering) leads to the

development of an environment-friendly propulsion system, which

mimics undulating fins of cuttlefish and stingray. A mechanism

comprises several linkages was designed and fabricated to mimic

the actual flexible fin.

By studying the waveform characteristics of a few hundred

patients, the teams from NTU (Assoc. Prof. Yeo Joon Hock,

School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering) and

HealthStats (HS) has developed a Medi-Watch, which is able to

identify a number of consistent indices that are independent of

blood pressure. It is also very useful for monitoring the outcome

of treatment in those “recalcitrant” hypertensives. Together with

the other known parameters, like 24-hr BP patterns, a more

complete and evidence-based approach to the management of

hypertension can be achieved.

Development of Medi-Watch by NTU and HealthStats

The method developed by HS and NTU is very simple to use,

as in wearing a watch. Medi-Watch apturing of arterial pulse

waveform and calibration.



Prototype of the designed actuator: (1) Linear guide;(2) Output shaft; (3) Feeding screw 2; (4) Support forfeeding screw 2; (5) Piezoelectric actuator; (6) Linearguide; (7) Actuator holder; (8) Feeding screw 1 (9)Support for feeding screw 1; (10) base.

A project conducted at the Precision and Nanotechnology

Center (Assoc. Prof. Bryan Ngoi) of the School ofMechanical and Aerospace Engineering has

developed and studied the performance of a novel

piezoelectric actuator, which provides a long travel and is

capable of working against large axial loads. This invention

can be applied in manufacturing processes where both

precision positioning and high thrust force are essential,

such as positioning cutters and carriages in machine tools.

Novel piezoelectric actuator

Micro-CT scans showing the scaffold in (a) two dimensions and (b) the

reconstructed three-dimensional scaffold.

A milestone in the field of Tissue

Engineering (TE), a research group in the

School of Mechanical andAerospace Engineering (Assoc. Prof.Leong Kah Fai and Assoc. Prof. ChuaChee Kai) focuses on the design and

fabrication of customized TE scaffolds

through the use of rapid prototyping (RP)

techniques. A prototype CAD system

called the Computer Aided System for

Tissue Scaffolds (or CASTS) was also

developed to generate the scaffolds.

Computer aided system to generate tissue scaffolds

(a) Climbing competition;

(b, c) instrumented holds

; vector diagrams (time is

colour-coded) of pinch

grip (d: 5°, e: 30°-inclined

wall) and World Cup hold

(f: more experienced

climber than g).

A research project on sport climbingA research project on sport climbing at the School of Mechanicaland Aerospace Engineering (Assoc. Prof. Fuss Konstantin)

is aimed to increase the training output of Singaporean sport climbers.

This research, which includes a fully instrumented climbing wall, will

contribute to the prevention of injuries and overuse syndromes

associated with climbing, as well as to the development and testing of

climbing equipment and training devices. The results have attracted a

lot of interest from the Singaporean Mountaineering Federation

(SMF), which facilitated the studies by providing the venues and

allowing measurements to be taken during the competitions.

(a) (b)


Surface measurement using three-dimensional stylus instruments

is a relatively new technique that offers numerous advantages over

more traditional profilometry methods. Research work by Asst.Prof. D. Butler into this area in the School of Mechanical

Measurement strategy capable of measuring grinding wheelfeatures

By combining a range of techniques such as force measurement, scanning electron microscopy, finite element modeling and

topographic measurement, a more complete picture of the grinding process can be achieved.

and Aerospace Engineering has been underway for the past

five years with a number of projects aimed at developing a

measurement strategy as well as parameters capable of measuring

the grinding wheel features.


Dr. Carlos Duran (International Heart

Institute of Montana, USA) and Assoc.Prof. Yeo Joon Hock of the Schoolof Mechanical and AerospaceEngineering have jointly developed a

three-dimensional aortic valve mold.

Two sets of animal trials have been

carried out in Singapore using merino

sheep in February and November 2004.

This was the first successful cardiac

surgery performed on sheep in

Singapore.

Development of autologous pericardial valve

The animal study: (a) a sheep implanted with the autologous pericardial reconstructed

valve; (b) a group of the adult sheep in animal trials.

(b)(a)


A research team in the School of Mechanical andAerospace Engineering, funded by the NTU-

MINDEF JPP, is developing an exoskeleton system to

enhance the performance ability of the human

individuals. Currently, a working primary prototype

encompassing of the entire assembly has been

developed and is undergoing its primary testing and

improvement in a real environment.

Development of anexoskeleton system

The developed exoskeleton system (a) CAD model

and (b) the inner exoskeleton system wore by a

person.

(b)(a)

The Biomechatronics group at Robotics Research

Center from the School of Mechanical andAerospace Engineering is working with the

University of Heidelberg, Germany on a Robotic

System of Non-invasive Surgery of Breast

Cancers”. The system has undergone laboratory

phantom trials, as well as successful pre-clinical

trials on animal tissue with our clinical partners at

University of Heidelberg.

Robotic system of non-invasive surgery for breast cancers

A manipulator system developed by a

Biomechatronics group of the RRC for cancer

surgery supervisory.

Traditionally, palm-oil mills generate a large amount of wastes

which have to be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.

However, a research project headed by Assoc. Prof. Lua AikChong of the School of Mechanical and AerospaceEngineering (MAE) has turned these wastes into activated

carbons to clean up the environment.

The novel technique first grinds the shells and fibres into small

chips. These chips are heated in an inert atmosphere to release

the oil molecules, thereby leaving tiny pores inside the char

particle. The char is subsequently activated by burning some of

the carbon contents to create even more tiny pores of nanometre

sizes. These highly porous structures yield a large pore surface

area for trapping pollutants. One gram of this activated carbon has

a pore area of 1,950 sq m, which is equivalent to 18 five-room

Singapore Housing Board flats.

Black gold from oil-palm wastes

Activated carbons from oil-palm wastes.


Example of Reverse Parking Manoeuvre Achieved by a Self-Organized Neuro-Fuzzy

System Modelling the Human Driving Behaviour.

Autonomous parking system modeling human drivingexpertiseThe approach of developing intelligent

systems is based on the recognition that

the capabilities of the human brain go far

beyond what can be programmed in a

machine. Assoc. Prof. Abdul Wahab,

Assoc. Prof. Michel Pasquier and

Assoc. Prof. Quek Hiok Chai from the

School of Computer Engineeringhave modeled the human driving behavior

as a set of fuzzy rules mapping input

variables such as road distances and

vehicles speed to the output control

parameters, which are the acceleration,

brake and steering. Sensory data is

recorded while a number of human drivers

perform the desired manoeuvre and fed

into the system to automatically generate

the rules that can be used to subsequently

control de car.

The methodology developed by Assoc.Prof. MayLor K. Leung (School ofComputer Engineering) in SINVI

involves the novel use of only visual clues

deciphered from images captured by a

camera mounted on its user. Most of the

visual clues will make use of ceiling

patterns to discover the position of the

user in an indoor environment. The

success implementation of the system will

therefore demonstrate the usefulness of

harnessing ceiling patterns for navigation.

This study also involves the discovering of

a set of visual clues necessary to create

an indoor navigational system, in

particular, in an indoor corridor

environment. With this knowledge, we can

extend the discovery to other indoor

scenes, which is useful for the creation of

dynamic indoor navigational systems.

SINVI: Smart Indoor Navigation for the Visually Impaired

System overview of SINVI.

The figure shows the ideal pictorial representation of SINVI.

Images will be captured from a camera. The image will then go

through a series of image processing before the output data is

sent for analysis (i.e. detection). Based on the analyzed

information and the relative position of the user in a logical map

(stored in server), conveyed to SINVI through wireless

communications, the system outputs the necessary navigational

direction to the user via vocal prompts.



This project, led by Assoc. Prof.Graham Leedham (School ofComputer Engineering) endeavoured

to build up a system that can acquire vein

images from individual hands, and through

appropriate processing stages, extract the

vein patterns from the images and match it

against reference images stored in a

personnel database for identification.

Eventually, the whole system is to be

integrated and implemented into an

Biomimetic system using infrared images of vein pattern inthe hand

Figure 2: Structure for

the System Architecture.

Figure 1: A thermal image of the back

of the palm.

This project, led by Assoc. Prof. SabuEmmanuel (School of ComputerEngineering), has implemented and

tested a watermarking scheme on an

MPEG-4 streaming server. The watermark

could be detected fully in real-time from

the streaming MPEG-4 video at the

receiving end device. In addition it could

also survive error prone nature of the

transmission channel since the

watermarking technique is based on

spread spectrum. The payload capacity is

sufficient to embed the advertisement

information, however the capacity needs to

be improved further. The watermarking

technique also needs to be adapted to

support the scalability issue of supporting

Enabling mobile commerce through watermarked MPEG-4streaming video

In this research, a Thermal Imager is used

for data acquisition. By placing the hand

under the imager, a thermal image of the

back of the palm is captured (Figure 1). In

the image, the main dorsal blood vessels

have higher temperature compared to the

surrounding tissues; hence, they appear to

be brighter in the image. By carefully

selecting the regions of interest (ROI), the

vein pattern can be extracted. After noise

reduction, the vein pattern can then be

The watermarking technique on

an MPEG-4 streaming server.

various kinds end devices, which becomes one of the future

objectives.

embedded system to become a stand-alone, robust and portable

biometric device.

segmented from the background. Since the sizes of blood vessels

vary as people grow, only the shape and distribution of the veins

is taken into consideration. The vein

pattern is skeletonized and a shock graph

representation is obtained for the pattern.

Finally, comparison of the shock graph

with the ones stored in the database is

carried out and decision is made for the

identification result.

Ultimately, this project aims to implement

all the processing stages into an

embedded system. Figure 2 shows the

envisaged structure of the above system.


Economic growth in Asia has benefited media industries, providing

them with new markets and new resources. However, with growth

has come contradictions and blind-spots requiring reflection and

reform. In 2004, the Asian Media Information and Communication

Centre (AMIC) sponsored this project in the School ofCommunication and Information, NTU, that brought together

scholars and practitioners to analyse critical dimensions of the

political economy of Asian news media. It will result in an edited

volume in 2005.

The political economy of journalism in Asia

AMIC Secretary-General, Assoc. Prof. Indrajit Banerjee (centre),

giving the opening address at the workshop. With him are Asst.

Prof. Cherian George (left) and Dean of the School of Communication

and Information, Assoc. Prof. Ang Peng Hwa (right).

Research indicates that the most significant impact of new

technology on electoral campaigns is as an organisational and

mobilisation platform, rather than simply serving as a general

campaign platform. Besides issues of regulation, political

culture and expectations also play a role in the effective

deployment of technology. Through applying these general

findings to elections during the 2004 election cycle in Asia,

this project (School of Communication andInformation) explored the potential scope of internet in the

various national political systems how it can be deployed for

election campaigns.

Political parties’ use of the internet in elections in Asia

At the Internet and Elections Workshop held at NTU in March

2004. It was sponsored by the Asia-Europe Foundation and

the Singapore Internet Research Centre.

This ongoing project at the School of Communication and Informationcovers contemporary issues in the development of the television, radio, film,

computers and internet, new technologies, satellite and cable, and advertising

industries. It also explores the processes of regulation, audience feedback and

reception in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand and the Philippines.

The media in Singapore and SouthEast Asia


The School of Materials Science and Engineeringteam of researchers, led by Prof. Freddy Boey and Assoc.Prof. Ma Jan teamed up with California Institute of

Technology (CALTECH) to produce the world’s smallest heart

pump.

World’s smallest heart pump

The School of Materials Science and Engineering(MSE) team of researchers, headed by Prof. Freddy Boey,

has produced the world's first completely-dissolving stent

containing multiple layers of drugs - something that will help

patients heal faster and lower the risk of a relapse.

Made from biodegradable polymer approved by US FDA

(Food and Drug Administration), the stent can be

programmed to dissolve in 3 to 6 months’ times. This product

is expected to enhance the quality of life and reduce medical

cost as patients no longer need to undergo another operation

to remove the stent after implant because it will disappear in

time.

The world’s firstcompletely-dissolving stentwas born at MSE

The School of Materials Science andEngineering and California Institute of

Technology (CALTECH) have combined their

technology to develop a frictionless micro-pump

that can draw liquids into or out of various body

parts.

The device looks like a tiny tube, and can be

used to help pump blood into areas of the body,

such as in gangrene patients, or drain excess

fluids in the lungs or brain.

Development of a frictionless micro-pump

World’s smallest heart pump.

Longitudinal

Flexibility.

Actual size of

the expanded

stent.


The device could be implanted without open heart surgery. It also

increases patients’ mobility and reduces hospitalization and overall

costs. The technology has been licensed to Orqis Medical (USA)

for cardiovascular applications.

Frictionless micro-pump.


From left to right: Assoc. Prof. Gan Yik

Yuen, Mr. Vincent Lee, Mr. Ho Kok Hian

and Dr. Saw Lin Kiat examining the

nose cancer detection kit.

The School of Materials Science andEngineering (MSE), DSTA (Defence Science and

Technology Agency) and Temasek Lab have put up a

roadmap for advanced soldier system. The roadmap

looks into the development of enhanced soldier

systems in various survivability aspects when fighting

in different terrains. MSE is applying the technologies

established in the School, such as nano-materials and

functional materials, to facilitate the development of

the advanced systems for Singapore Armed Forces.

Roadmap for advanced soldier system

The Plasma Physics and Processing group at the National Institute of Education(NIE) comprises Low-Temperature Plasma Processing, and Plasma Focus

researchers. Research by the Low-Temperature Plasma Processing Group involves the

development of novel sources of chemically active low-temperature plasmas and the

applications of plasma processing for innovative synthesis and surface modification of

advanced materials. The Plasma Processing Group works on low-temperature

fabrication of functional coatings, semiconductor quantum dots and vertically aligned

Plasma Physics and Processing

Research at the Plasma Radiation Sources

Laboratory.

nanostructures for applications

in microelectronic, optical,

biomedical and other industries,

as well as the elucidation of

physical principles of plasma-

assisted nanoassemblies using

advanced mathematical tools

and computational techniques.

Research by the Plasma Focus

group include, the generation of

high-temperature plasmas, productions of soft

X-ray and neutrons in plasma focus devices

and their applications for X-ray microlithography

and imaging, plasma spectroscopy as well as

deposition of various coatings.

Assoc. Prof. Gan Yik Yuen from the

National Institute of Education(NIE), lead a team that successfully

developed molecular biology of Epstein

Barr viral antigens for the application of

diagnosis of Nasopharingeal Carcinoma

(NPC).

Medical diagnostics


The first book planned in a

series titled Asian Management

Case Collection. This book offers

interesting perspectives on

contemporary management

issues, including organisational

processes, implementing

process re-engineering, quality

management, strategy, human

resource and more.

In May 2004, the ABCC collaborated

with the Maritime Port Authority of

Singapore with a grant of $350,000 to

work on a collection of cases focusing

on the shipping and maritime industries.

These cases will highlight how the

maritime industries have contributed in

making Singapore a global port hub and

a major competitor in the global

maritime industry.

2004 also marks the start of the

ABCC’s book publication. The first, a

case book titled ‘Government-Linked

Companies & Other Organisations in

Singapore’ was published in July

2004, and the second, a Chinese

translation of the English book, was

ready in August 2004. The books

The Asian Business Case Centre (ABCC)

The official website for Asian Business Case Centre.

the DesignSingapore Council at the Ministry of Information,

Communication and the Arts, where the Centre was commissioned

to write several case studies focusing on homegrown companies

which have successfully fused strong design principles with

business practices.

CASES IN THE E-CATALOGFrom January 2003 to January 2004, 187 cases were added to the

E-catalog in www.asiacase.com. These cases came from Harvard,

University of Hong Kong, NUS, INSEAD, Ivey, ICFAI, IMD,

Thunderbird and various universities found in the European Case

Clearing House. As of now, the total number of cases in the E-

catalog stand at about 1,400 cases on Asia and Asia businesses.

contain nine cases from the case

collection. These books mark the start

of a series of case-books planned to be

published under the collection name

‘Asian Management Case Collections’.

EXTERNALCOLLABORATIONSIn 2003, the ABCC was a supporting

partner for the Startup@Singapore

business plan competition organised

by the National University of

Singapore’s Entrepreneurship Centre.

The ABCC provided research support

and undertook the writing of three

mini-cases on past winners of the

competition. Another collaboration

the ABCC formed in late 2003 is with

The Center for Cultural Intelligence (CCI) is the first

research center in the world to focus on the research and

development of Cultural Intelligence (CQ).

At the Center, it is recognized that rigorous research and

development on CQ is essential to the success of individuals

and organizations in the increasingly challenging business

environment. Hence, its mission is to lead in the generation

of knowledge, products, and programs (KPP) for growing

culturally intelligent individuals and organizations.

As part of the Nanyang Business School that is

strategically located in Asia, CCI has extensive collaborations

with researchers and scholars from Asia, North America and

Europe.

The world’s first Cultural Intelligence (CQ) center



Integrins belong to a family of important

cell surface receptors which mediate the

adhesion of most anchorage-dependent

cells to nature extracellular matrix (ECM)

and biomaterials. It is known that the

binding of integrin with ECM proteins

triggers mechanochemical responses of

cytoskeleton. In a recent study in Asst.Prof. Vincent Chan’s group (School ofChemical and BiomedicalEngineering), in collaboration with

Assoc. Prof. Chen Wei Ning William(School of Biological Sciences) and

Assoc. Prof. Liao Kin (School ofChemical and BiomedicalEngineering), green fluorescence protein

(GFP)–actins were expressed in HepG2

cells for the temporal visualization of

cytoskeletal structure of adherent cells on

naturally derived materials (Fig. left,

Bottom Left).

Effect of cytoskeleton alteration on mechanochemicaltransduction

By combining confocal reflectance contrast microscopy (C-RICM) and fluorescence

microscopy, the adhesion contact dynamics, cytoskeleton remodeling and two-dimensional

spreading of intact and GFP-actin expressing HepG2 cells on ECM coated substrates

are simultaneously probed during the initial cell seeding (Fig. above, Top Right).

Assoc. Prof. Mary Chan Bee Eng from the School of Chemical andBiomolecular Engineering together with Prof. Soon Fatt Yoon from the School

of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Jung-Hoon Chun from the Massachusetts

Institute of Technology and Newman S-K Sze of the Genome Institute of Singapore,

have developed micro- and nano-structures with high aspect ratio by UV embossing.

High aspect ratio micro- and nano-patterned polymeric films

Figure 1 Schematic of embossing.

Figure 2 Nano-embossing (a) TiN mold (b) Rubber mold from (a); (c) UV

embossing from (b).

In the UV embossing process (Figure 1), a substrate

with a coating of liquid or semi-solid photocurable

resin mix is pressed against a patterned embossing

mold. The resin mix is irradiated with UV before

demolding of the hardened microstructures. When

the mold itself is UV transparent, the resolution can

be nano-scale as well (Figure 2). Unlike thermal

embossing, UV embossing is usually done at room

temperature and low pressure (less than 1 bar). This

technique enables the critical patterning of delicate

substrates such as polymer-encapsulated protein or

water-containing hydrogels which are required for

biomedical applications.