MINDEF GIVES OUT INAUGURAL POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS

Research is key to producing state-of-the-art capabilities that keep the Ministry of Defence's (MINDEF's) defence technologies up to date and relevant in today's fast-paced world.

It was with that in mind that the inaugural Temasek Research Fellowship and Nanyang-DSO Post-Doctoral Fellowship were awarded on 7 Dec to Dr Oleg Vasylkiv and Dr Edwin Teo Hang Tong respectively. Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) Dr Tan Kim Siew presented the certificates of awards to the recipients in a simple ceremony at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

Designed to attract young and promising post-doctoral fellows to spearhead research in defence science and technology, the defence research fellowships allow MINDEF to engage a wider pool of talented researchers from around the world. Through these collaborations, MINDEF hopes to tap on their talents to explore areas in defence research which may translate into new applications.

At the awards ceremony, Chief Defence Scientist and Chief Research and Technology Office Quek Tong Boon said: "Just as many of the cutting-edge capabilities that the SAF enjoys today are possible only because of our R&D investments in the past, we need to continue to invest in defence R&D to ensure that the SAF of tomorrow continues to be at the cutting edge."

He added: "Every new technology we create adds to our portfolio of special building blocks that allow us to build special systems, which in turn enable us to develop special capabilities for our defence that we cannot buy."

Dr Teo, a Singaporean scientist with a passion for nanotechnology, was awarded the two-year Nanyang-DSO Post-Doctoral Fellowship and will look into manipulating carbon to creating a new class of materials with adjustable electrical and mechanical properties.

Dr Vasylkiv, a Ukrainian scientist in the field of materials science, was awarded the three-year Temasek Research Fellowship and will pursue research on nano-composites which will pave the way for a new class of ceramic with enhanced properties. He aims to come up with a ceramic that is harder, lighter and less brittle.

Both scientists will be based at Temasek Labs@NTU.

When asked why they chose NTU, both were quick to praise the university's facilities and expertise as a reliable platform.

Dr Vasylkiv explained that there are four main factors in research; Materials, Human expertise, Equipment and Funding. NTU's conducive environment, related research equipment and human expertise rank high in these areas.

Sharing similar sentiments, Dr Teo added that the rich synthesis of multi-disciplinary research at NTU gives them an opportunity to work with others who excel in their respective areas of expertise and who are at the top of their game.

With regard to the potential applications of their respective research, Dr Vasylkiv cited ceramic as a sound protective material. Dr Teo cited miniaturisation and greater efficiency in electrical gadgets. For example, an iPad made with a carbon case will result in a more lightweight tablet that runs at a cooler temperature and which is cheaper to build. Operating at a cooler temperature means having a longer battery life.

Beyond the research, Dr Teo saw an educational role in his work: "We aim to push the little ball of knowledge forward, especially to students in NTU."