Ling Ting Rang( Award Conferred 22 January 2025)
Title of Thesis:‘ A Learning Framework for Visual Depth-based Hardness Sensing in Soft Robotic Grasping.’
This thesis presents a novel framework for hardness sensing in soft robotic grasping, employing a single embedded depth camera. Leveraging convolutional neural networks, it captures intricate hardness features from depth images, achieving a commendable mean absolute percentage error( MAPE) of 0.46 % for trained shapes and hardness. The innovative GripDepthSense3DNet outperforms existing networks with significantly fewer parameters and shorter training time. A dynamic tuning strategy enhances generalization and robustness, enabling seamless integration of new shapes and hardness levels. Demonstrating adaptability across various objects, this advancement holds great potential for automation and robotics applications.
Supervisor: Dr Mohammed Ayoub Juman Associate Supervisor: Dr Surya Girinatha Nurzaman Associate Supervisor: Professor Chee Pin Tan
Darren Yi Sern Low( Award Conferred 21 April 2025)
Title of Thesis:‘ Development of Smart Self-Healing Nitrile Gloves using Dynamic Supramolecular Chemistry.’
Responsible material use is increasingly recognized as a crucial aspect in maintaining balance of the planet ' s sustainability triple bottom line, particularly in manufacturing. This thesis encompasses the development of a sustainably reinforced smart self-healing synthetic rubber composite for reusable glove applications. The formulated material was able to recover its strength substantially over multiple damage cycles based on dynamic intrinsic healing mechanisms. A functional self-healing glove prototype was also fabricated using a retrofitted dipping method. This innovation ultimately aims to reduce glove waste during manufacturing and at product end-of-life, benefiting fields of healthcare, sanitary, chemical handling, personal protection and heavy industries.
Supervisor: Dr Patrick Siah Ying Tang Associate Supervisor: Dr Janarthanan A / L Supramaniam Associate Supervisor: Associate Professor Bey Hing Goh
Mary Low( Award Conferred 2 April 2025)
Title of Thesis:‘ Enhancing cooling efficiency using corona discharge plasma-activated water via phase change heat transfer.’
This thesis investigates plasma-activated water( PAW) as a novel coolant for improving heat transfer efficiency. PAW, produced using atmospheric pressure plasma, has unique properties like reduced surface tension and increased electrical conductivity. This research demonstrates PAW ' s effectiveness in enhancing cooling performance across various scales, including bulk, droplet, and aerosol cooling systems. PAW is chemical-free and environmentally friendly, making it a sustainable alternative to conventional coolants. This work demonstrates PAW ' s potential for improving cooling performance in high-performance and compact thermal management systems.
Supervisor: Associate Professor Ming Kwang Tan Associate Supervisor: Professor Yew Mun Hung
Michael Luke Ho Gwanjie( Award Conferred 17 September 2025)
Title of Thesis:‘ Thermohydraulic Performance Optimization Utilizing Flow Structures, Streamlined Geometries, and Hybrid Magnetic Nanofluids within Annular Domains.’
This thesis examines how the use of flow structures and nano-sized solid particles in fluids can improve cooling in systems. As modern devices are susceptible to overheating, the study is imperative. Using simulations, flow structures significantly alters temperature and pressure, which can leveraged to enhance cooling. In parallel, adding nano-sized solid particles to fluids like water allows the fluid to become better at conducting heat, essentially enhancing its cooling abilities. The results indicate that individually, cooling is enhanced, but simultaneous employment of both methods further improves system cooling. This research supports the development of cooling technologies for energy-intensive devices.
Supervisor: Dr Cheen Sean Oon Associate Supervisor: Professor Yew Mun Hung Associate Supervisor: Dr Lling Lling Tan
G R A D U A T I O N CEREMONY
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