NTU College of Engineering

Smarter Separation. Better Recycling. ♻️

Professor Hu Xiao and his team at NTU’s School of Materials Science (MSE) and the Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute (NEWRI) have developed a new solvent-free method to tackle one of recycling’s biggest challenges: separating mixed plastics.

Named depolymerisation-induced polymer separation (DIPS), the process uses glycerol to selectively break down PET while leaving PP intact. The recovered PP can retain up to 90% of its original tensile strength.

🌊 The ocean’s future is our future.
Protect it with care, knowledge, and action.

A journey shaped by opportunities across borders.

Raised in Bangkok, Slocha Sapasakulvanit's passion for science led her from studying materials science in Thailand to a research opportunity at Kansai University in Japan, before earning a full scholarship to pursue a PhD at NTU, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE).

Beyond her research, she mentored students, taught laboratory courses, and served as President of the MAE Graduate Students' Club.

A researcher, mentor, and leader, her story shows that growth often begins with the courage to embrace opportunities beyond one's comfort zone.

🔗 Read the full article: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/engineering/coe-news/detail/faces-of-engineering--meet-slocha

Waste or resource?
The difference is how we see it. 🌏

Happy Vesak Day 🕯️

We extend our sincere wishes for a time of reflection and commitment to compassion within our engineering communities.

Here’s a quick wrap-up of Semester 2 at NTU Engineering

From group projects and last-minute submissions to new friendships and unforgettable memories, it’s been a semester full of growth, chaos, and everything in between.

He originally thought of civil engineering as solely construction and buildings. At NTU College of Engineering, Jerrell Foo Chuan Peng discovered it was far more expansive.

At the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, he explored fields beyond structures, from geotechnical engineering and transportation to water systems and AI.

Beyond the classroom, Jerrell served in the CEE Club as logistics director before becoming president, helping to build a stronger and more connected student community.

His time at NTU was shaped not only by what he learned, but also by the friendships and experiences he shared. One memory that stayed with him was climbing Mount Bromo in Indonesia with classmates who had formed a hiking group — a moment that prompted him to reflect on the contrast between his studies of built environment and the raw power of the natural world.

🔗 Read the full article: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/engineering/news-and-events/news/detail/faces-of-engineering--meet-jerrell

🌟 Selamat Hari Raya Haji. On this significant day of compassion and gratitude, we cherish the people around us.

As we look ahead with purpose and resilience, may we continue carrying forward the values that bring us closer together.

🔍 Tiny robot, big surgical potential.

At just 4.4 mm and scalable down to 1.5 mm, this miniature magnetic soft robot by Associate Professor Guo Zhan Lum and his team at NTU’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) packs five functions into one device.

It can grip, cut tissue, deliver drugs, store samples, and provide localised heating.

Most others manage just one or two.

Wirelessly controlled, the robot can navigate uneven and unstructured environments inside the body while operating using relatively weak magnetic fields to minimise unwanted interference — a promising step for the future of minimally invasive medicine.

🔗 Read the full article: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/engineering/news-and-events/news/detail/robot-surgery

What does it mean to be an engineering student today?

For Sirikanya Nuchong, it means creating impact both inside and outside the lab.

A PhD candidate at the School of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), her research transforms waste like biomass, plastics, and rubber into carbon dots. At the same time, she supports fellow students as a teaching assistant and through academic talks.

Beyond research, she found a passion for the community. In the MSE Graduate Student Club, she became Vice President of Welfare and later President, helping build a more connected and supportive community.

🔗 Read the full article: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/engineering/news-and-events/news/detail/faces-of-engineering--meet-sirikanya