Singapore

Data analytics and computing is a field that is increasingly concerned with “Big data”. Big data is a catchphrase often used to describe voluminous data that cannot be effectively managed using traditional database technology. Big data is sometimes characterized by having high volume, high velocity, and high variety (the so-called 3Vs model). High volume refers to the sheer size of the data sets. High velocity refers to rapid throughput of data. High variety refers to the types and sources of data (geographical data, social networking data, sensor data, health data, astronomical data, etc.).  A major research challenge for (big) data analytics is how to manage, process, aggregate big data in both space and time domains, and do something useful, e.g. discover hidden knowledge from such data for real-world applications, e.g. health care and biomedicine, banking and finance, resource discovery and management, sustainable development, weather/seismic prediction, decision support, traffic control, online safety and security, law enforcement, etc.

Aerospace Sciences is the study of newer and better ways to fulfill one of mankind’s oldest dreams: the dream of flight. Our staff is internationally known for teaching and research that address both demands and opportunities facing the aerospace profession, tackling problems in many highly strategic and challenging areas that range from visionary, blue-skies research to industrially driven applications. The main research themes are:

• Computational Fluid Mechanics
• Experimental Aerodynamics
• Space Systems Engineering
• Unmanned Vehicles

This theme aims to address two key areas in sustainable engineering. Specifically, our focus is on:

• Sustainable design and manufacturing
• Efficient use of energy resources

Composite and smart materials are transforming the way products are designed and manufactured these days. The work we do in this area aims to enhance understanding of the functional properties of these lightweight materials, with applications to the aviation, marine, automotive and wind turbine industry. Within the group, we also have expertise in reliability testing, structural health monitoring, non-destructive evaluation, defect characterisation and various imaging techniques. These, coupled with our understanding of the physics-of-failure of the composite material enable us to look at a problem in a more holistic approach.

Efficient use of energy and getting more from our existing energy resources are paramount to ensure more sustainable living. Within the broad spectrum of energy research, our work includes:

• developing techniques to efficiently harvest and store energy from external sources
• integration of renewable energy sources into the grid
• developing algorithms for intelligent demand-side management systems
• application of power ultrasonics in clean technology

Our expertise in systems engineering are focused in the areas of:

• biomedical system and signal analysis
• modern radar, underwater sonar and communications

In the area of biomedical system and signal analysis, we aim to address some of the key issues affecting the aging population today. A key aspect of this work lies in the development of techniques and algorithms for the discovery of biomarkers or signatures of diseases, for the accurate and early detection of disease onset.  In a wider context, these findings have also been applied to the control of assistive devices in bio-rehabilitation and in Brain-Computer-Interface (BCI).

Our work in modern radar, underwater sonar and communications are centred around target detection, parameter estimation, and tracking. We focus on the advancement and innovation of algorithms and systems for phased array beamforming, direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation, and robust target acquisition and tracking, in active excitation configuration as well as in passive and hostile radio environment.

Intelligent optimisation is the use of computational intelligence algorithms to improve and create innovative solutions to single/multi-objective problems. Our expertise in this field complements and binds together research across all thematic areas. For example, coupled with our work in biomedical systems, it enables the discovery of new biomarkers from bio signals, images and gene expressions through the use of intelligent hybrid search techniques to enhance our understanding of diseases. These techniques can also be applied to the design of engineering systems through ‘Computer-Automated Design’.