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MoU to extend composite research partnership to industry

01 Apr '13

4 min read

Technical University of Munich (TUM), German, Institute of Science and Technology – TUM Asia (TUM Asia), Singapore Polytechnic and ST Kinetics signed a Memorandum of Understanding with 9 other local and international companies to promote composite technology through the following avenues:

a) Technology development and demonstration
b) Education and training
c) Services for industrial projects
d) Entrepreneurship

The need for high performance and efficient composite materials are evident in the increasing use of fiberglass and carbon fiber in various industries. In key economic sectors such as construction and manufacturing which contributed 4 % and 21% respectively to Singapore's GDP in 2012, light weight components and material systems that combine a high specific performance and corrosion resistance are essential to improve productivity and efficiency.

Therefore, the collaboration aims to build a sustainable composite technology resource model that will support local small and medium enterprises as well as startup companies with the necessary resources to develop and build composite materials in accordance to their individual industry needs.

The four founding members, TUM, TUM Asia, Singapore Polytechnic and ST

Kinetics will drive this initiative along with other participating companies through efforts in the 4 key areas of technology transfer, workforce development, technology demonstration and promotion, and services.

As a founding academic institution of this initiative offering technology expertise and knowledge transfer, Professor Liqiu Meng, Senior Vice President for International Alliances and Alumni, TUM says, “Carbon Composites and Fibers are seen worldwide as an outstanding technology with a tremendous impact in engineering, construction, and mobility. Bavaria and TUM have over the last years invested considerably in research, development, training in this new technology, making both, Bavaria and TUM, first movers internationally in this breathtaking new area.

“TUM Asia is excited to spearhead this project with TUM's experience in technology transfer” said Dr. Wächter. “We have been successful in leveraging on our parent university's success in applied science research to deliver relevant industry focused programmes to students here in Singapore. The initiative to look into composite technology research demonstrates our commitment to continually contribute to Singapore's industries through science and technology”.

With composite technologies at a turning point, marked by widespread adoption in the aerospace industry and high-volume production breakthroughs in the automotive industry, this extensive partnership established among companies across various industries comes at an opportune timing, as the Singapore government seeks to focus on research and development to upgrade and upskill companies for increasing productivity and global exposure. The development of high-tech capabilities and skills will enable companies to achieve product innovation and reach additional markets.

Singapore Polytechnic and ST Kinetics will play an important role in this project. A composite technology laboratory has been setup within the premises of Singapore Polytechnic to leverage on the training and development skills of its staff to equip the workforce with the know-hows in the latest composite technology.

“This new initiative reinforces SP as one of the frontrunners in the field of application engineering. As a result of the collaboration between TUM, TUM Asia and ST Kinetics, we are able to gear our engineering curriculums towards the latest composite technological developments. This empowers our graduating students with the skills and knowledge to contribute to a future workforce that will see an increase in the utilization of composite technologies,” said Mr. Tan Choon Shian, Principal and CEO, Singapore Polytechnic.

Such a facility will also offer participating companies options for workforce development and opportunities to expose themselves to high performance technology demonstrations that will be led by experienced educators and engineers from Singapore Polytechnic and ST Kinetics.