Complementing SIT’s applied learning approach is our applied research that focuses on creating solutions for contemporary issues, and implementing them in industry settings.

SIT focuses on working with the industry on translational research and innovation, spanning technology readiness levels (TRLs) 3-7. Unlike traditional research which is discovery-oriented, applied research projects have higher TRLs which bridge the gap between theoretical research and industry applications.

The applied research efforts of the Engineering cluster are centred around the following pillars:

1. Infrastructure (Maintenance Focus)

Our applied research in infrastructure aims to develop and maintain an intelligent, resilient, and sustainable rail, marine and air transportation network to meet the long-term needs of Singapore.

The purpose is to realise the optimal life-cycle asset values of the infrastructure - both new and existing - while meeting their expected operational requirements. Areas of focus include resilient infrastructure, preventive, predictive and maintenance engineering, and the use of technologies such as data analytics, AI and robotics for predictive and maintenance of critical infrastructure.

2. Sustainability (Built Environment Focus)

A sustainable built environment is circular and designed for resilience against future climate risks. It is important to be able to predict and mitigate the impact of climate change when building a sustainable urban built environment.

Our applied research focuses on reducing carbon footprint, recovering used resources, and increasing productivity with integrated digital technologies. Areas of focus for the pillar include food security, energy efficiency, construction technologies, as well as the adoption of green and lower embodied carbon construction materials.

3. Energy Resilience

Ensuring a reliable and secure energy supply, and developing a dynamic energy sector for Singapore has always been a grand challenge. SIT has been working with public agencies and industry to develop integrated solutions to promote the usage of cleaner energy and increase energy efficiency.

Areas of focus include energy efficiency, digital twinning, distributed generation, microgrid, green energy, and energy storage. Our applied research covers land transport as well as maritime shipping with the drive on electrification, energy storage and harnessing green energy.

Manpower Training through Industrial Doctorates/Masters

SIT offers Industrial Masters and Industrial Doctorate research-based programmes for mid-career professionals to deepen their specialist knowledge at the postgraduate level, without leaving their careers. The focus of these programmes taps on the university’s strengths in applied research and industry collaboration. The aim is to strengthen the industry-academia interaction and build Singapore’s pipeline for industry-relevant professionals with deep technical knowledge and specialisation skills, who are able to innovate and make improvements to current professional practice.

To foster greater strategic partnerships that involve multidisciplinary applied research collaborations, talent development, as well as workforce training, SIT has set up various thematic Applied Research Centres (ARCs) to support industry in their respective needs:

Construction Technology Innovation Laboratory (CTIL)

A collaboration between SIT and Woh Hup Pte Ltd, the Construction Technology Innovation Laboratory (CTIL) provides a platform for Singapore-based construction companies and SIT researchers to carry out applied research and develop innovative technologies for building structures and sub-structures with societal and economic impact.

Energy Efficiency Technology Centre (EETC)

In collaboration with the National Environment Agency (NEA), SIT's Energy Efficiency Technology Centre (EETC) aims to be the leading technology innovation centre supporting local industries in energy efficiency initiatives

Rapid Product Innovation & Development (RaPID) Centre

A specialised Product Development Facility for rapid product prototyping and sample production to support companies in pursuing innovation and value creation

Centre for Infrastructure and Tunnel Engineering (CITE)

A partnership between the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), the CITE will serve as a platform for the civil engineering community to exchange and deepen their knowledge and skillsets in this field.

Optimisation of Energy Management in Multiple Micro-grids System Based on Predictive Control and Artificial Intelligence

Funding Agency: Exploiting Distributed GEneration (EDGE) Programme which is a collaboration between EMA and SIT
Project Duration: 2.5 years (Apr 2021 to Oct 2022)
Industry Partner: Power Automation Pte Ltd
SIT Project Team Members: Asst Prof Tan Kuan Tak

Key Focus:
The project aims to develop a reinforced learning-based decentralized energy management system that is aimed to overcome the challenges of coordinating and optimizing the operation of multiple interconnected microgrids with complex operating dynamics.

Embedded Fastener Inspection and Monitoring

Funding Agency: National Research Foundation, Singapore, and Land Transport Authority under Urban Mobility Grand Challenge (UMGC-L015)
Project Duration: 3 years (June 2021 to May 2024)
Industry Partner: SBS Transit Rail Pte Ltd
SIT Project Team Members: A/Prof Edmund Liew, A/Prof Lim Chun Yee, A/Prof Mustafa Shabbir Kurbanhusen and A/Prof Soh Chew Beng

Key Focus:
The project aims to develop a robust anchor bolt inspection system with damage detection artificial intelligence for the overhead catenary system (OCS) on the North-East Line (NEL).

Dual Passive Displacement Coil System (Dual PD Coil): Design and System Performance Evaluation as Alternative Cooling Technologies to Achieve Super Low Cooling Energy Consumption (Green Building Technology – for Energy Efficiency)

Grant: BCA Green Building Innovation Cluster (GBIC) Super Low Energy Building Challenge Call.
Project Duration: 2 years (1 November 2020 – 31 October 2022)
Industry Partner: Shinhan Tech-Engineering Pte Ltd and MET Engineering Pte Ltd
SIT Project Team Members: A/Prof Steve Kardinal Jusuf, A/Prof Victor Wang, Asst Prof An Hui and Asst Prof Aung Myat

Abstract:
Passive Displacement Coil (PD Coil) system is designed to support the basic principle of natural (not forced) convection heat transfer which has the best heat transfer efficiency and latent heat cooling capacity. Although PD Coil is certainly more energy efficient as compared to typical HVAC system due to the absence of fan to distribute cool air in a space, its performance in improving thermal comfort has not been well researched and understood.

The project aims to redesign the Dual Passive Displacement Coil system (Dual PD Coil) prototype by evaluating its design parameters; investigate and evaluate the performance of Dual PD Coil system through objective and subjective thermal comfort measurements and cooling energy consumption measurement

Study on the Use of Probiotics to Increase Yield and Nutritional Value in an Integrated Rooftop Hydroponic Farming and Solar Photovoltaics (PV) System (Sustainability: Energy and Food Security)

Grant: Temasek Foundation Innovates
Project Duration: 3 years (1 December 2020 – 30 November 2023)
Industry Partner: Archisen Pte Ltd
SIT Project Team Members: A/Prof Steve Kardinal Jusuf, A/Prof Soh Chew Beng and A/Prof Ryan Tay Hong Soon

Abstract:
In recent years, Singapore has been pushing the adoption of solar PV as its main renewable energy source to reduce its reliance on fossil fuel. In addition, Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has set the target of producing 30% of Singapore’s nutritional needs by 2030. With limited land size, meeting both targets are certainly very challenging. The solution is to integrate both systems by placing farming systems on the entire rooftop space and then cover them with PVs. The energy generated by the PVs can be used to power, either the farming system or the building. However, the impact of PVs coverage towards vegetable growth is not fully understood, as the PV will block much of the sunlight needed by the vegetables to grow. This project aims to develop optimum solution for both systems.

The integrated system is then supported by the use of probiotics to increase crops’ yield and nutritional values. As the solar PV creates shading to the urban farming system, probiotics is used to promote growth and crops’ yield despite less sunlight available for vegetables to grow.

On-going Industrial Doctorate Projects

Thermal Resistance Modelling of High Power Electronics Packages

Student: Sim Boon Hwa Derrick (Product Manager)
SIT Supervisor: Asst Prof Kiew Choon Meng
Industry Supervisor: Dr Marvin Boell

Managing Change and Resilience Planning for Whole Life Asset Management

Student: Ho Chee Kit (Senior Director, Asset Services and Facility Management)
SIT Supervisor: Prof Tseng King Jet
Industry Supervisor: Dr Kang Kok Hin

Design for Sustainability – Development of Practices and Methodologies for Product Design and Development Businesses

Student: Joseph Ladislaus Aroguiaraj (Program Manager / Business Process Architect)
SIT Supervisor: A/Prof Ethan Chong
Industry Supervisor: Mr Mohan Kumar

Holistic User-Centric Network Planning and Infrastructure Design of Urban Cycling Network in a Tropical Climate

Student: Yang Ligu (Principle Engineer/Deputy Manager, Active Mobility Group)
SIT Supervisor: A/Prof Kum Yung Juan
Industry Supervisor: Ms Yap Hui Jin

Industry 4.0 Data Driven Cognitive System in Shop Floor

Student: Ma Zhaoyu (Senior Research Engineer)
SIT Supervisor: A/Prof Zhou Junhong
Industry Supervisor: Dr Ian Chan