Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Ian Ferguson Innovation Seed Fund (IFISF)
Inculcating creativity and spirit of entrepreneurship
MSE and the Ian Ferguson Foundation aims to develop an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset among MSE students. To support this, the Ian Ferguson Innovation Seed Fund (IFISF) has been launched to provide seed funding for all MSE students to
undertake prototyping projects by applying for funding, which will be evaluated by a committee comprised of MSE faculty.
All year round
Winner of The Student Project Competition 2021
Elysia, a Year 3 (AY21/22) Materials Engineering student, and a team member from Environmental Engineering developed a ‘Remote-Controlled Biological Microscope’ to address inconveniences related to prolonged usage of microscopes, and emerged as the Winner of The Student Project Competition 2021, awarded by RS Component – DesignSpark. First developed as a project under the Making & Tinkering course to solve ergonomic issues from gradual strain to pain in the neck, eyes strain from looking through the eyepiece, as well as to reduce physical contact with dangerous pathogens and improve time efficiency, the Remote-Controlled Biological Microscope was conceptualized, designed and prototyped using their knowledge in electronic and 3D modeling, facilitated by relevant firmware and hardware. Learn more about the project here: https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/remotely-controlled-microscope
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Year 4 (AY21/22) Materials Engineering student, Giang Nguyen founded a start-up Linh AI
Giang Nguyen, a Year 4 (AY21/22) Materials Engineering student, has founded a start-up even before getting his degree! Linh AI was setup with fellow NTU undergraduates and their feat was recently featured in the 24 February issue of Lianhe Zaobao. Linh AI (linh.ai) is an offshoot of a data-labelling solution they proposed to ST Engineering, the company where Giang undertook his internship. This eventually led to the development of Graviton, their first artificial intelligence (AI) development platform. Linh AI will help ST Engineering in the development of Mobility-on-Demand-Vehicles (MODVs). The start-up aspires to develop a platform that can support the development of a wide range of AI applications and they have also gained support from an angel investor.
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Ian Ferguson Innovation Challenge (IFIC) 2023/2024
Champion: Quantitative Modelling of Anti-Fouling Performance
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1st Runner-up: Biodigester to ensure Life Cycle of Lucilla Cuprina |
2nd Runner-up: Corrosion Modelling with Digital Twinning Assets |
Most Popular Project: Minerals For Oxygen Barrier Coating on Paper |
Congratulations to the winning teams in the Ian Ferguson Innovation Challenge AY23/24. Professor Lam Yeng Ming, Chair, presented the winners with the certificates and prizes on 18 January 2024. The winning teams are:
The IFIC is supported by the Ian Ferguson Foundation. It is an annual ground-up, student-centric catalyst to spur innovation, encourage prototype development and develop an entrepreneurial mindset among students at MSE. Projects submitted are relevant to materials science and engineering and the teams have to demonstrate creativity and provide original and practical solutions to an engineering problem. They can also choose to prototype their project. |
Ian Ferguson Innovation Challenge (IFIC) 2022/2023
Champion:
Group 4: Logic Toy for Adults Congratulations to the winning teams in the Ian Ferguson Innovation Challenge AY22/23. Professor Lam Yeng Ming, Chair, presented the winners with the certificates and prizes on 26 January 2023. The winning teams are:
The IFIC is supported by the Ian Ferguson Foundation. It is an annual ground-up, student-centric catalyst to spur innovation, encourage prototype development and develop an entrepreneurial mindset among students at MSE. Projects submitted are relevant to materials science and engineering and the teams have to demonstrate creativity and provide original and practical solutions to an engineering problem. They can also choose to prototype their project. |
Ian Ferguson Innovation Challenge (IFIC) 2021/2022
Champion: Congratulations to the winning teams in the Ian Ferguson Innovation Challenge AY21/22. Prof Joachim Loo, Associate Chair (Students), presented the winners with the certificates and prizes on 3 March 2022. The winning teams are:
The IFIC is supported by the Ian Ferguson Foundation. It is an annual ground-up, student-centric catalyst to spur innovation, encourage prototype development and develop an entrepreneurial mindset among students at MSE. Projects submitted
are relevant to materials science and engineering and the teams have to demonstrate creativity and provide original and practical solutions to an engineering problem. They can also choose to prototype their project. |
Ian Ferguson Innovation Challenge (IFIC) 2020/2021
Two MSE undergraduate students won the Champion Prize in the AY2020/2021 Ian Ferguson Innovation Challenge (IFIC) for the project TERRAPIN– A Temperature-Controllable Thermal Flask. The team of Muhammad Naziruddin Bin Mohd Ali and Pang Pei Yi developed TERRAPIN thermal flask that aims to revolutionize the reusable water bottle industry by incorporating a unique temperature control that allows for heating and cooling of the liquid inside. Situated in the cap of the flask is a thermoelectric cooler (TEC), which utilizes the Peltier Effect and is capable of heating up to 100 degrees Celsius or cool down to - 40 degrees Celsius. This allows the flask to heat or cool its contents rapidly. This temperature can then be held for extended periods through vacuum insulated walls. |
Ian Ferguson Innovation Challenge (IFIC) 2019/2020
Phileon Goh Ze Wei, MSE undergraduate student, won the Champion Prize in the AY2019/2020 Ian Ferguson Innovation Challenge (IFIC) for his project Bitez. It features piezoelectric pressure sensors in artificial teeth to monitor the distribution of biting pressure among teeth during use, allowing dentists to analyse information, and to adjust dentures more effectively than by manual examination/ tactile sensors. Quartz is used as a piezoelectric material, incorporating it within artificial resin teeth which improves hardness and mechanical stability, increasing biting power. |
Ian Ferguson Innovation Challenge (IFIC) 2018/2019
Five MSE undergraduate students took home the Champion Prize (Undergraduate Category) in the AY2018/2019 Ian Ferguson Innovation Challenge (IFIC) for their proposed innovative new product. The team of Jain Palash Abhineet, Low Ker Yang, Matthew Jun-Hui Reavley, Tan Zhen Yuan and Teo Ren Jie developed HyLite – a lightweight, low power electronic sensor to monitor dehydration through sweat. The sensor takes the form-factor of a watch, utilising electrode-less deposition of copper to integrate the circuit board with the actual watch itself, a simple display utilising electroluminescent paint for minimal weight and reduced power consumption while retaining maximum flexibility to achieve user comfort. It is intended to be a low-cost system with long battery life which is not invasive and simple to use by individuals at risk of heat injury. |
Jerome Lim won the IFIC Champion Prize for the Postgraduate Category. His project on Responsive NasoGastric (NG) Tubes for Confident Intubation involves the use of a newly designed feeding tube in conjunction with a device adaptor. These feeding tubes have two copper wires embedded within the walls of the tube. When used with the device adaptor, it will give out a false or positive response of the tube-tip location. This invention can replace the current method of confirming tube-tip location using radiography, i.e. x-ray, which is inconvenient and may not be readily available (e.g. home-care nursing), considering the frequency at which feeding has to be carried out. The IFIC, which is supported by the Ian Ferguson Foundation, is an annual ground-up, student-centric catalyst to spur innovation, encourage prototype development and develop an entrepreneurial mindset among students at MSE. Projects submitted are relevant to materials science and engineering and the teams have to demonstrate creativity and provide original and practical solutions to an engineering problem. They can also choose to prototype their project. |
2017 Soft Robotics Design Competition
We are delighted to share that the NTU team comprising of Febby Krisnadi (2nd year MSE undergraduate), Nguyen Linh Lan (2nd year SPMS undergraduate) and Muhammad Iszaki Bin Patdillah (4th year MSE undergraduate) overcame stiff competition to emerge as the runner up for the college-level category of the 2017 Soft Robotics Design Competition. The team’s novel idea, quality documentation and feasibility of implementation greatly impressed the judging panel, which comprised of industry experts and previous competition participants. The team’s stellar performance on the international stage was made possible with the invaluable guidance and support of MSE Assistant Professor Nripan Mathews and Ankit (3rd year MSE PhD). The rigorous preparations and training have paid off handsomely. Well done, team! |
Photo of the winning team with their invention, B-Robot: (L-R) Febby Krisnadi, Nguyen Linh Lan, Muhammad Iszaki Bin Patdillah and Ankit
Ian Ferguson Innovation Challenge (IFIC)
A ground-up, student-centric catalyst that spurs innovation, prototype development, and an entrepreneurial mindset among students at NTU MSE.
Congratulations to the 2 joint winning teams of the Ian Ferguson Challenge AY16/17.
Team “Modified Belay Device, Yeti” Under the supervision of Assistant Professor Jason Xu Zhichuan, with members consisting of Lim Zheng Peng, Seah Fung Ling, Verner Soh Qun Liang, Wong Lee Yan Serena and Yu Jing |
Team “Versatile Personal Combat Helmet (VPCH)”
Decarbonathon 2016
“Decarbonathon” is an international competition organized by the Young Global Leaders of the World Economic Forum to fight global warming. In 2016, a team of NTU MSE undergraduates consisting of Mutiara, Christopher, Stener, Bob and Theresia, competed against 235 teams from 67 different countries and successfully emerged as one of the top 16 finalists for this global competition. The judging panel were impressed by the team’s creative proposal of a walkway, named ““ZOLAR”, which generates electricity by utilizing the piezoelectric and solar cell technology. In addition, the MSE undergraduates had the privilege of participating in a hackathon and final presentation in held in Paris, France. |
Schneider Electric: Go Green in the City 2016
"Go Green in the City" is the ultimate global student competition for sustainable energy solutions. In teams of two, students from all over the world are invited to enter the competition and share their innovative solutions to real world business challenges within energy management. The top twelve teams will travel to Paris where they will compete for a trip around the world and a career opportunity with Schneider Electric. The partnership of 2 MSE undergraduates, Mutiara and Christopher, produced stellar results. The student team emerged as 2nd runner up for the Singapore edition in 2016. Their proposal, which focused on heat ventilation and electricity generation system in houses and buildings, received positive commendation from the judges. |
P&G Tech Challenge 2016
A team of MSE undergraduates, comprising of Christopher, Mutiara, Matthew, Haziq and Natalia, participated in this prestigious competition and emerged as one of Asia’s top 14 finalist teams. Through a culmination of tireless preparations and meticulous research, the team created a technological innovation that aims to disrupt the laundry experience through the intelligent and integrated usage of a smartphone application. |
Vatican Youth Symposium 2016
The annual symposium held by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN) brings together young leaders from around the world to devise solutions for the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. "I am grateful for the one-in-a-million opportunity to represent MSE at the 2016 Vatican Youth Symposium. It was an eye-opener, as young leaders from all around the world come together and devise solutions for education, technology and environmental issues". - Mutiara, MSE undergraduate |
Security Awareness for Everyone (SAFE)
 Winner for 2015 |
International Energy Innovation Challenge
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Winner for 2015Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Challenge 2015
Recognising the importance of education, Samsung creates programmes that support youth development and training through the use of technology, services and expertise. Supported by IDA, Solve for Tomorrow, reflects Samsung’s investment in youth, and the company’s continued commitment to empowering students so that they can create positive impact in the community. This competition encourages students to leverage technology to address social issues and come up with creative ideas to improve communities and shape a smart, sustainable future for Singapore. A team of undergraduates flew the MSE flag high and proud by emerging as the top 10th finalist team. To address the social stigma associated with power naps in Singapore, the student team of Christopher, Mutiara, Wen Di, Haziq, incorporated the features of isochronic tones, high-tech glasses, sleep analysis data and personalization options into a single portable product – “The Samsloth”. |
Collaboration with NTUitive (The University’s Innovation and Enterprise Company)
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