PRESS RELEASE 20 May 2015 Singapore s Young Research Talents go Global at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2015 1. The Ministry of Education (MOE), the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the Science Centre Singapore congratulate the Singapore Team on their performance at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2015 held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America (USA) from 10 to 15 May 2015. The Intel ISEF is the world s largest pre-college science fair held annually to provide a platform for top science and engineering talents of different nationalities to showcase their projects. The Singapore team submitted four individual projects and two team projects this year and achieved commendable results at the fair (Refer to Annex A for details of the projects). 2. Benjamin Tan Kye Jyn, Lim Zheng Theng and Tan Yi Zhao from Hwa Chong Institution found a novel way of embedding silver nanoparticles into membranes used in water purification processes and won the Second Award in the category of Environmental Engineering. Additionally, for their innovation in membrane technology, they were also awarded the Second Life Science Award in the Special Awards Segment. One of the team members, Lim Zheng Theng, shared, By participating in the ISEF, I m able to see how I can apply this knowledge in a manner that benefits people and processes. I m inspired to consider science and engineering research as my future career option. 3. Lee Shi Ya Claudia from Raffles Institution studied how the use of peptidederived hydrogels could be injected into the body for the consistent release of drugs over a specific period of time. For her new method of producing hydrogels, she was awarded the Fourth Award in the Chemistry category. On her thoughts about participating in Intel ISEF, Claudia said, I feel that science and engineering is very much dependent on the effective exchange of ideas and meaningful collaboration. I value the experience of having the opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas with the judges. 4. In their team project, Madhumitha Shridharan and Ren Yuhua from NUS High School of Mathematics and Science developed a method to significantly reduce energy consumption and improve patient comfort to administer a patch test for 1
patients with skin problems. For their innovation, they were awarded the Special Award by the China Association for Science and Technology. 5. Other individual projects submitted to Intel ISEF were by Tommy Ong Zhi Xian from Raffles Institution, Joel Tan Shi Quan from NUS High School of Mathematics and Science and Ching Yi Jie Preston from National Junior College, whose research projects explored the scientific areas of Microbiology, Physics and Astronomy as well as Biomedical and Health Sciences respectively. 6. The Singapore Team was chosen from the top awardees in the Singapore Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) held in March this year. SSEF is a national competition jointly organised by MOE, A*STAR and Science Centre Singapore. The Singapore Team was jointly led by Mr Gary Neo Wei Chung (Curriculum Planning, MOE), Mrs Sow Yoke Keow (Hwa Chong Institution) and Dr Tan Guoxian (Raffles Institution). For media enquiries, please contact: Sarina Chng (Ms) Media Relations Executive Communications Division Communications and Engagement Group Ministry of Education Tel: 6879 7605 Mobile: 9837 0998 Email: Sarina_CHNG@moe.gov.sg Mr Jeremy Pakiam Senior Communications Officer Marketing and Communications Department Science Centre Singapore Tel: 6425 2372 Mobile: 9436 8100 Email: Jeremy_PAKIAM@science.edu.sg Miss Vanessa Loh Senior Officer Corporate Communications Division Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Tel: 6826 6395 Mobile: 9769 2359 Email: Vanessa_LOH@a-star.edu.sg 2
Annex A Background info 1. The Intel ISEF is the world s largest pre-college science fair held annually to provide a platform for top science and engineering talents of different nationalities to showcase their projects. This year, close to 2000 finalists from more than 75 countries, regions and territories took part. In all, Intel ISEF saw more than 1700 projects submitted. There are 20 scientific categories in Intel ISEF 2015 and within each category, the Best of Category, First, Second, Third and Fourth awards are given out. Further to that, two finalists from amongst the 20 winners of the Best of Category will be awarded the Intel Foundation Young Scientist Awards. These finalists are selected for their commitment to innovation in tackling challenging scientific questions, using authentic research practices, and creating solutions to the problems of tomorrow. Special Awards sponsored by various organizations are also given out in recognition for the science and engineering innovations in projects. 2. Details of projects submitted by the Singapore team Students Lee Shi Ya Claudia (Individual) IP Year 6 Raffles Institution Tommy Ong Zhi Xian (Individual) IP Year 6 Raffles Institution Joel Tan Shi Quan (Individual) Project description Project title Metal-free click chemistry for the development of peptide-based biomaterials Category Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Metal-free click chemistry was used as a novel way to develop the hydrogels that were sensitive to the human body temperature. These hydrogels could be used for drug delivery that will greatly enhance the patient experience and reduce discomfort. Claudia did her project under the supervision of Dr Michael Reithofer and Dr Charlotte Hauser from the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN), A*STAR. Project title Development and Optimization of Novel Aminebased Antimicrobial Cationic Polymers Category Microbiology: Antimicrobials and Antibiotics The project seeks to develop low-cost cationic polymers that have antimicrobial properties. These polymers can be used as coatings on surfaces in hospitals and have the potential in applications that combat drug-resistant bacteria. Tommy conducted his research under the mentorship of Dr Majad Khan from the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN), A*STAR. Project title Physical analysis of the rotating saddle trap the mechanical analogue of the quadrupole ion trap 3
Year 6 NUS High School of Mathematics and Science Ching Yi Jie Preston (individual) IP Year 6 National Junior College Benjamin Tan Kye Jyn, Lim Zheng Theng, Tan Yi Zhao (Team) IP Year 5 Hwa Chong Institution Madhumitha Shridharan, Ren Yuhua (Team) Year 6 NUS High School of Mathematics and Science Category Physics and Astronomy: Mechanics, The project investigated the predictive power and limitations of the rotating saddle trap as an analogy of the quadruple ion trap that had applications in mass spectrometry. Joel did his research under the supervision of Dr Yeo Ye from the Department of Physics, National University of Singapore (NUS). Project title Ultrafast and Green Design of Luminescent Nanoclusters for Photodynamic Therapy Category Biomedical and Health Sciences: Disease Treatment Preston found an environmentally friendly and efficient way of developing metal nanoclusters that could be used in a more targeted and less invasive approach in the treatment of cancer. The discovery of this approach has the potential to revolutionise cancer treatment. Preston submitted his project in the category, and was supervised by Dr Yu Yong from the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), A*STAR. Project title Synthesis of Electrospun Nanosilver- Functionalized Nylon 6 Nanofibres for Membrane Water Purification Category Environmental Engineering: Water Resources Management The team found a novel way of embedding silver nanoparticles that had anti-bacterial properties in membranes that were used in desalination and water reclamation plants. Their membranes make the water purification process more affordable and efficient, potentially leading to immense cost savings for the water industry. The team conducted their research under the supervision of their school teacher, Mrs Sow Yoke Keow from Hwa Chong Institution. Project title Wearable LED Illumination for Skin Sensitivity Calibration Category Computational Biology and Bioinformatics: Biomedical Engineering The team developed a method that significantly reduced energy consumption and improved patient comfort to administer a patch test for patients with skin problems. This could potentially lead to substantial cost savings in hospitals by freeing up treatment rooms for other purposes. They were mentored by Professor Chua Soo Jin from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore (NUS). 4
From left: 1. Lim Zheng Theng (Hwa Chong Institution) 2. Benjamin Tan Kye Jyn (Hwa Chong Institution) 3. Tan Yi Zhao (Hwa Chong Institution) 4. Joel Tan Shi Quan (NUS High School of Mathematics and Science) 5. Ren Yuhua (NUS High School of Mathematics and Science) 6. Ching Yi Jie Preston (National Junior College) 7. Tommy Ong Zhi Xian (Raffles Institution) 8. Lee Shi Ya Claudia (Raffles Institution) 9. Madhumitha Shridharan (NUS High School of Mathematics and Science) Team from Hwa Chong Institution explaining their project to a visitor (2 nd Award in category and Second Life Science Award by Sigma Xi) 5
Lee Shi Ya Claudia sharing her project with a visitor (4 th Award in category) Team from NUS High School of Mathematics and Science with their prototype (Special Award given by China Association for Science and Technology) 6