Year: 2024

On April 17, a historic event took place at National Taiwan University (NTU) as it welcomed a cross-party parliamentary delegation from Kosovo, marking the first formal interaction between the university and the European nation. The delegation was received by NTU’s Associate Vice President for International Affairs, Professor Kuo-Hsin Yang, alongside staff from the Office of International Affairs. Discussions focused on potential collaborations in student exchange programs, scholarships, and virtual academic conferences, establishing a foundation for future educational cooperation between Taiwan and Kosovo.

One of the notable attendees was Chia-Yo Kuo, President of the Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Association and an NTU alumna. Kuo has extensive diplomatic experience and has worked closely with Kosovo on several initiatives, including curating an exhibition at the Kosovo Museum and spearheading the “Domain for Kosovo” movement, which advocated for the country’s top-level domain. Her contributions have significantly strengthened Taiwan-Kosovo relations and expanded Taiwan’s presence in global diplomacy. During her visit to NTU, Kuo shared her experiences and insights, which inspired discussions on enhancing higher education collaboration.

The following day, NTU welcomed a second distinguished delegation, this time led by the Rector of Vilnius University (VU) from Lithuania, one of NTU’s partner institutions. This visit was a continuation of the relationship initiated in 2022 when NTU visited Lithuania to sign the EU Erasmus+ program agreement. The delegation, headed by VU Rector Rimvydas Petrauskas and accompanied by Vice-Rector Edita Sužiedėlienė and Pro-Rector for Partnerships Artūras Vasiliauskas, was received by NTU Executive Vice President Wan-Jiun Liao and Vice President for International Affairs Hsiao-Wei Yuan. The talks focused on strengthening academic exchanges with a particular emphasis on sustainability.

As part of the discussions, Professor Jen-Ping Chen from NTU’s Department of Atmospheric Sciences introduced the International Degree Program in Climate Change and Sustainable Development (IPCS). The Lithuanian delegation also visited NTU’s Global Change Research Center, where Professor Syuan-Jyun Sun presented research on the effects of environmental changes on species. Additionally, the visitors toured the “Smart Campus+NTU” project, which features a microclimate sensing network around the NTU campus, demonstrating NTU’s commitment to sustainability research.

NTU hopes that these fruitful discussions and exchanges will further strengthen Taiwan-Europe international cooperation, promoting joint research projects and enhancing opportunities for student and faculty exchanges between Taiwanese and European universities.

Micelles play a crucial role in dispersing hydrophobic inks and drug in water-based solutions. Recently, researchers from Tokyo University of Science compared the dye solubilization capacities of micelles made from block and random copolymers to identify the optimal structure for dye solubilization. Their results show that block copolymer micelles with well-defined core-shell structures have a slower solubilization rate but can hold significantly more dye compared to random copolymer micelles, which have a more diffuse structure.

Micelles are spherical molecular structures usually formed by amphiphilic molecules with block structure, which contain both hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts. The hydrophobic tails of these molecules cluster together to form a core, while the hydrophilic heads face outward, creating a protective shell. This structure allows micelles to encapsulate hydrophobic substances within their core and disperse them in a water-based environment.

An example of micelles in action is in soap, which traps dirt and oil, making them easy to rinse off with water. Micelles can be created using block copolymers, which have distinct hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments, or random copolymers with a mixed distribution of hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments. The former, used in the pharmaceutical industry, offers precise control over the micelle’s properties but is more complex and expensive to produce, while the latter, used in the dye industry, is simpler and cheaper to produce.

Researchers led by Mr. Masahiko Asada and Professor Hidenori Otsuka from Tokyo University of Science (TUS) and DIC Corporation, are investigating how to make micelles more effective at dissolving dyes. In a study featured on the cover of Volume 20, Issue 26 of the ournal Soft Matter published on July 14, 2024, they compared the performance of block copolymers and random copolymers to determine the most optimal micelle for dye dispersion.

“There is a trade-off between utilizing random copolymers as dispersants for ink production and their inadequate dispersion performance. We investigated block copolymer micelles and compared their dispersion performance with those of random copolymers to determine the micelle structure required for adequate dye solubilization,” says Prof. Otsuka, the lead author of the study.

The researchers synthesized various block copolymers (BL01 to BL05) using different ratios of styrene (St), n-butylmethacrylate (BMA), and
methacrylic acid (MA) as monomers. They compared the performance of these block copolymers with random copolymers (RD01, RD02, RD03, and RD04), which were made from styrene and either methacrylic acid or acrylic acid. The copolymers and random copolymers were dispersed in water at a 0.5% concentration, and the micelle structures were examined using Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) analysis.

The SAXS results showed that micelles formed from block copolymers had a well-defined spherical structure with a clear core-shell boundary. Micelles from random copolymers were found to have a more diffuse and continuous structure, resembling a random-coil pattern with no distinct core-shell boundary. The absence of a clear core-shell structure in the micelles formed from random copolymers reduced their ability to hold hydrophobic dyes. In Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC) tests, the researchers measured the concentration at which micelles form by detecting changes in the polarity around a fluorescent pyrene probe. The results showed that block copolymer
micelles had a much lower polarity, meaning the pyrene molecules were better protected inside the hydrophobic core of these micelles.

The researchers made similar observations on measuring the extent of solubilization of hydrophobic orange oil SS dye in the micelles. The micelles made using random copolymers were found to let the dye in easily. However, BL01, BL03, and BL05 prevented the dye from penetrating the core, resulting in a longer time to reach saturation (2 days compared to 10 hours for the random copolymers). Micelles (BL01, 03, and 05) with larger core volumes and more polymer molecules (higher aggregation numbers) were found to hold or solubilize more dye (0.2 to 2 dye molecules per micelle) than the smaller micelles (BL02, BL04).

While the larger micelles with well-defined core-shell structures took longer to become saturated with dye, they could hold a significantly higher amount of dye. The micelle with the highest dye solubilization was BL02. Its shell contained a random mixture of methacrylic acid (MA) and butyl methacrylate (BMA), resulting in a highly polydisperse or varied interface between the core-shell and shell-solvent boundaries, which allowed the dye to enter and be expelled from it quickly.

Prof. Otsuka explains, “The block copolymer micelles exhibited a higher dye solubilization capacity, which correlated with their core volume, clear core-shell contrast, and slow solubilization rate.” This finding could lead to more efficient and cost-effective micelles for the ink and dye industries as well as pharmaceutical industries.

Pests are the bane of the horticulture, landscape and agriculture sector, destroying about 20 to 40% of global production yearly. One effective way to tackle this problem is by detecting pest infestations early.

To this end, a laboratory set up by National Technological University, Singtel – led by its digital and technology services unit, NCS – and the National Research Foundation Singapore presents an innovative solution.

Leveraging machine learning, researchers at the Singtel Cognitive and Artificial Intelligence Lab for Enterprises (SCALE@NTU) devised a sensor using radio waves called millimetre waves (mmWave) to detect insect pests on plants without the need for manual inspection. This transforms the labour-intensive process of pest detection into something automated, data-driven and non-invasive.

The innovation has piqued the interest of a branch in Singapore’s lead agency for greenery and biodiversity conservation, the National Parks Board (NParks). The agency’s Plant Science and Health branch is working with the lab to refine the prototype and test it in the field.

“NParks’ Plant Science and Health branch is keen to explore this advanced technology for pest detection. The utilisation of mmWave radar technology presents a significant commercial opportunity in horticulture and agriculture, offering a sustainable solution for pest management,” says Prof Cong Gao, Co-Director at SCALE@NTU.

SCALE@NTU is an example of a successful academia-industry tie-up based at NTU. Collaborations like this help research breakthroughs find the light of day in real-world applications, while companies and governments tap into the University’s vast resources for their innovation needs.

To date, NTU has over 250 industry partners. SCALE@NTU is one of about 20 corporate and joint labs involving major companies and the University, set up right on the campus where the action is.

Such cooperation stands to benefit both industry and academia, according to Prof Lam Khin Yong, NTU’s Vice President (Industry). Prof Lam heads the University’s Vice President (Industry) Office (VPIO), which was formed to accelerate bench-to-industry applications.

“Building strong strategic partnerships with key industry players will not only contribute to innovation and the commercialisation of basic research, but also enrich the academic and industrial experience for our students and researchers,” says Prof Lam.

Offering multiple models for different parties to cooperate, NTU aims to enable its public agency and industry partners to hit the ground running when innovating alongside researchers. How these models work depend on the needs of the industry, and can run the gamut from one-to-one unions and tripartite-level corporate labs to multi-party tie-ups, large consortiums and flagship programmes involving overseas organisations.

For instance, SCALE@NTU is a corporate lab established to help drive Singapore’s digitalisation strategy in becoming a smart nation. Its various research projects, from enhanced search-and-rescue localisation technology to intelligent transportation systems, are anchored on cutting-edge artificial intelligence to address key issues across sectors.

“Synergising the domain expertise of NCS with NTU’s research strengths, we’ve achieved remarkable outcomes, including training 280 researchers and students, filing 82 technology disclosures and completing 16 technology transfers,” says Prof Ong Yew Soon, Co-Director at SCALE@NTU. “Our fruitful collaboration exemplifies an effective public-private partnership.”

SCALE@NTU’s latest research in pest detection is spearheaded by Dr Muhammad Faeyz Karim and Assoc Prof Arokiaswami Alphones of NTU’s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

The potential benefits it presents are manifold – the solution can improve plant quality and crop yield, contribute to the urban greening of Singapore and the nation’s “30 by 30” goal of being self-reliant in food production, and address labour shortage in the horticulture and agriculture sector.

Says Dr Karim, who is preparing the technology for commercial use: “Its real-time nature could provide early warnings of pest outbreaks, allowing farmers to take timely action and reduce losses.”

A boon for the industry

Industry players like infrastructure consultancy Surbana Jurong have found working together with NTU on research valuable. For example, to address the need for clean energy, the Surbana Jurong-NTU Corporate Lab developed a cryo-polygeneration project.

The project involves converting liquefied natural gas (LNG) back to gas, a process that releases “cold energy”. The gas can then be used for applications like generating electricity, while the cold energy is not wasted but instead harnessed for various industry cooling needs, including refrigeration and deep freezing.

This alliance pairs NTU’s worldclass research capabilities with Surbana Jurong’s global industry experience in the urban and infrastructure sectors to develop solutions for complex urban and industrial challenges.

“As global temperatures continue to rise, the tropical hot weather that we face in Singapore will only get worse.

Leveraging the circular economy concept, our lab saw the potential of repurposing waste cold energy to provide clean and efficient cooling to residential districts and for industrial applications,” explains Prof Alessandro Romagnoli, Co-Director of the Surbana Jurong-NTU Corporate Lab.

With cryo-polygeneration, the researchers seek to use the waste cold energy generated during LNG regasification as a cooling mechanism and to capture carbon – trapping harmful greenhouse gases emitted during industrial processes, such as in industrial parks.

According to Mr Tan Wooi Leong, Surbana Jurong’s Senior Executive Director, Energy, producing cold energy for carbon capture is expensive, so the cryo-polygeneration project presents a sustainable alternative that optimises waste cold energy.

Mr Tan is confident of the project’s commercial viability. “The design, plant process and all other packages of the project are completed. We are already looking at implementing it across our other projects worldwide. The knowledge that we’ve gathered through the corporate lab has allowed us to navigate these overseas projects quite easily,” he says.

Another example of the synergy between NTU and the industry in accelerating research translation is the joint work between battery maker Durapower and the University’s Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N), both of which share similar goals towards developing innovative energy solutions.

“We believe in value creation. Our partnership with NTU is an extension of our company’s readiness to adopt new technology through ongoing market engagement, and research and development,” says Mr Kelvin Lim, Durapower’s CEO. “NTU offers research expertise, while we provide industry-focused insights, mass production capabilities and global sales channels.”

According to Prof Madhavi Srinivasan, Executive Director of ERI@N, both parties have complementary expertise and interest in advancing sustainable battery research.

There has been good progress since the start of the tie-up. The team has created a novel solution that utilises digital twin and cloud technologies to offer accurate, real-time condition monitoring of lithium ion batteries for up to five years. This patent-pending innovation developed by ERI@N Cluster Director Asst Prof Hung Dinh Nguyen is expected to extend the lifespan of batteries by over 50% and, in turn, significantly reduce carbon emissions. It is currently being tested at NTU’s Smart Campus.

“The humid, high temperatures of tropical Singapore pose unique challenges to battery performance, so testing and understanding the operational state of batteries at the individual component and system levels is important,” explains Prof Madhavi.

Building a community

As industry problems become more complex and involve more stakeholders, NTU is pivoting to multi-party collaborations that leverage the expertise and strengths of each party from academia and industry. One example is its ongoing research in liquid organic hydrogen carriers – compounds used for storing and transporting hydrogen as renewable energy. This is a joint effort with the National University of Singapore and several companies across Singapore and Japan.

VPIO’s Prof Lam says: “We foresee such collaborative models will become the norm as industries become increasingly interconnected and global challenges require more interdisciplinary solutions.”

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts proudly held the Launch Ceremony for its 40th Anniversary Celebration in the Academy Atrium on the evening of September 26, 2024. The Academy was honoured to receive a congratulatory video message from The Honourable John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The ceremony was officiated by The Honourable Kevin Yeung, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Mr. Lin Nan, Deputy Director-General, Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; alongside Mr. Charles Yang Chuen-liang, Chairman of the Academy Council and Professor Gillian Choa, Director of the Academy.

The Honourable John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, recognised the contribution of the Academy in performing arts education in a congratulatory video message, stating, “The Government supports the Academy’s efforts in nurturing cultural talent for Hong Kong and the country. We believe that the Academy’s potential establishment of a new campus in the Northern Metropolis could provide much-needed space for programme development. Meanwhile, we also support the Academy in bringing in a higher proportion of non‑local students to its programmes. These developments, I am certain, could enrich Hong Kong’s talent pool in performing arts in light of the industry’s evolving needs.”

Mr. Charles Yang, Chairman of the Academy Council, expressed, “As the sole tertiary institution in Hong Kong dedicated to nurturing performing arts talents, the Academy is committed to providing exceptional education to its students, resulting in remarkable success. Graduates of the Academy have become pillars of the performing arts industry, showcasing their talents on different stages, serving Hong Kong, and making significant contributions to the country. Their captivating performances enhance the wellbeing and quality of life of the public, promote the development of arts and culture in Hong Kong as well as foster cultural exchanges between the region and the global community. It is worth noting that the Academy has been ranked the top positions in the QS World University Rankings in the Performing Arts category, recognising its outstanding achievements. Following tonight\’s launch event, the Academy will host a series of celebratory events, and the participation of the community is warmly welcomed.”

Professor Gillian Choa, Director of the Academy, remarked, “Earlier this year, with the support of our Council, we completed a 10-year Strategic Plan that will guide the Academy into the future, and we are excited to launch it today. The key goals of which are: Scaling up local, national/GBA and international talent development and cultural impact; Enriching transformative learning experience for performing arts education; Impactful research on technology-enabled performing arts practices, and Building a campus of creativity and sustainability, with a mission to nurture a new generation of performing artists and cultural leaders with a global impact in the region. I would like to thank the HKSAR Government for its unwavering support and pledge our commitment to ensure the Academy’s continued success and relevance in the performing arts sector over the next decade and beyond.”

To mark this significant occasion, the Academy showcased a wide array of performances during the ceremony, celebrating this milestone and highlighting the immense talent of students from the Academy’s six Schools in the performing arts. The celebratory event featured film showreels and screenings, along with captivating performances of Chinese opera, dance, music, and drama by faculty members and students, as well as showcasing outstanding stage designs.

Professor Lily Kong, President of Singapore Management University (SMU), has been elected as a Foreign Fellow of the esteemed Geographical Society of China (GSC).

This prestigious accolade recognises her exceptional contributions to geographical research, particularly in urban transformation and social cohesion within Asia.

Founded in 1909, the Geographical Society of China is one of the nation’s oldest academic organisations, comprising over 15,000 scholars. The election of Fellows is highly selective, with only a few foreign members chosen each year. Professor Kong’s election was announced during the Society’s 115th anniversary celebrations and annual conference in Nanjing, China on 27 September.

Professor Kong’s research focuses on social and cultural change in Asian cities.   The specific topics have been wide-ranging, reflecting the pace and scale of change in Asia.  They include inter-communal relations and social cohesion, whether it is inter-religious or inter-ethnic relations, or local-migrant interactions; cultural industries and creative economies; urban heritage; smart cities; and higher education. Her interdisciplinary approach has helped shape how these complex issues are understood across the region.

Reflecting on her election, Professor Kong said, “I am deeply honoured to be recognised as a Foreign Fellow of the Geographical Society of China. Geography’s ability to foster integrative thinking and connect diverse fields of knowledge has been central to both my academic and leadership journey. It is this interdisciplinary approach that guides our work at SMU, where we tackle some of Asia’s most urgent challenges such as urbanisation and sustainability. This recognition also reflects the collective efforts of my colleagues and collaborators whose commitment to impactful research is helping to shape a more sustainable future for the region.”

This recognition comes at a pivotal time for SMU, as the university intensifies its focus on “Growth in Asia,” positioning itself at the forefront of academic inquiry into urbanisation, sustainability, business transformations, technological change, and social integration — key issues as Asia continues to develop rapidly.

An award-winning researcher and educator, Professor Kong has garnered numerous international accolades, including the Royal Geographical Society’s Victoria Medal, the American Association of Geographers’ Robert Stoddard Award, the Commonwealth Fellowship, and the Fulbright Fellowship. Her recent recognition by the Geographical Society of China underscores her academic achievements and reaffirms SMU’s leadership in impactful, regionally rooted research.