NUS and Toyota Tsusho Asia-Pacific are working together to test the use of micro electric vehicles on campus for a year

This is a report on Dr Saravanan Kuppan from the NUS Faculty of Science who is one of the 10 PhD students who were presented with the recent World Future Foundation PhD Awards in Environmental and Sustainability Research.

Five doctoral students each from NUS and NTU received US$10,000 (S$12,700) under the World Future Foundation’s PhD Awards in Environmental and Sustainablity Research for their works in environment-related fields.

The NUS Faculty of Engineering has unveiled its Eco-car which took part in the Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2012 held at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur from 4 to 7 July.

The NUS Energy Office organized a two-day event on 13 and 14 June with more than 150 participants from the government, industry and research community.

Report on SEER@NUS 2012 organised by the NUS Energy Office.

Ms Catrina Yeo, Energy Analyst from the Energy Studies Institute at NUS, discussed about energy labeling, such as the “tick” labeling system, which tells consumer about the energy efficiency of household appliances.

Professor Asit K Biswas, a Distinguished Visiting Professor from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS, and Leong Ching, doctoral student at the school, reflected on the access to safe drinking water and the importance of wastewater treatment.

Associate Prof Edward Webb from the Department of Biological Sciences at NUS and Mr Jacob Phelps, a PhD student, and their collaborator Professor Bill Adams at the University of Cambridge, presented five major approaches for conceptualising the links between biodiversity and carbon conservation.

Flett (Fun in Ecological Tech Textile) is a start-up by four NUS students that produces ISGloves – a hybrid glove-mitten that can be used to access touch screen devices.

Professor Lui Pao Chuen, Adjunct Professor from the Faculty of Engineering at NUS and Adviser to the National Research Foundation, proposed that underground tunnels and rock caverns are possible solutions to water shortage and flooding in Singapore.

The Cambridge Centre for Carbon Reduction in Chemical Technology (C4T) was jointly established by NUS, University of Cambridge and NTU. It will integrate state-of-the-art experimental analysis with advanced computational modeling research for low-carbon chemical technology development.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between NUS, Total S.A. and Total Oil Asia-Pacific (Total), to partner in education and research through Total’s Regional Education Partnership.

Professor Paul Matsudaira was concerned with, among other things, using his specially-constructed microscopes to study the biological make-up of water and why it behaves in certain ways.

The three-year study by researchers from the Tropical Marine Science Institute at NUS and the Department of Biological Sciences, entomologists from NEA’s Environment Health Institute and an overseas midge expert to investigate if the infestation of the species involved is related to weather or water quality changes and suggest potential solutions.

NUS and Dutch research institute Deltares launched a new water alliance called NUSDeltares, which aims to lead research and specialist consultancy services in Southeast Asia.

It was reported that a team of research engineers led by Dr Thomas Reindl, Senior Research Fellow from the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore at NUS, has devised a new way to package solar cells, energy-efficient LED lighting, and safe, high-quality batteries in one street lamp.

Assistant Professor Vivien Chua Pei Wen of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is studying the impact of climate change on water resources and coastal zones that is of critical importance for social, economic and environmental sustainability of densely populated urban areas.

Professor Chua Kee Chaing, Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has led a team to launch a trial to study whether one-seater electric vehicles can enhance travel around NUS.

This is an interview with Professor Neal Chung Tai-Chung, Provost’s Chair Professor at the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Prof Chung's research focuses on development of high performance membranes for applications such as desalination and water reuse.