24 January 2007

TL@NUS to scale greater heights in defence technology

In the last six years, Temasek Laboratories (TL@NUS) has produced excellent research results, including development of a suite of electromagnetic modeling tools for antenna design; and studies of electromagnetic wave scattering and interactions with materials. The performance of these codes is among the best in the world.

A collaboration between NUS and the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), TL@NUS is ready to scale greater heights. It will get a new permanent home at the NUS Faculty of Engineering. Expected to be ready in 2008, it will house offices, advanced laboratories for aerodynamics, control and guidance, electromagnetics, material research, signal processing, information security and nonlinear dynamics studies.

LAUNCHING THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY: From left: Dr Tan Kim Siew, Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) and Chairman, DSTA; Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Defence; Prof Shih Choon Fong, NUS President; Prof Tan Chorh Chuan, NUS Deputy President and Provost; and Prof Lim Hock, Director, TL@NUS.

Prof Lim Hock, Director, TL@NUS, said the building will greatly enhance their capacity to do innovative research, especially experimental studies which could be translated into cutting-edge defence applications. They may also undertake research in new areas such as cognitive science, he added.

DSTA Chief Executive, Mr Richard Lim said: "DSTA is enthusiastic about providing the necessary resources to nurture core expertise in basic research and develop a vibrant defence ecosystem. We will continue to harness the potential of TL@NUS and collaborate with other departments of NUS. They have very significant and unique capabilities that can help us in solving the multi-faceted defence and national security problems that we face today."

	YOUNG TEMASEK INVESTIGATOR: Dr Chen Ping, winner of the 5th Temasek Young Investigator Award, with Prof Lui Pao Chuen, Chief Defence Scientist, Ministry of Defence (left) and Prof Tan Chorh Chuan, NUS Deputy President and Provost (right).

At the groundbreaking ceremony for the new building held at NUS on 23 Jan 2007, Prof Lui Pao Chuen, Chief Defence Scientist, Ministry of Defence, presented the 5th Temasek Young Investigator Award to NUS researcher, Dr Chen Ping from the Faculty of Science. She won $500,000 in research grant to develop portable light-weight fuel cell for military application.

Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Defence, officiating at the ceremony, also announced the TechX Challenge organised by DSTA. The inaugural competition will feature an urban race among robots that demonstrate capabilities in autonomous navigation and target engagement. The Finals of the Challenge is scheduled in August next year, with the winner snaring a cash prize of $1 million.