Research Projects | SMART| Singapore

Online monitoring and modeling of water distribution system, hydraulics, and water quality

Real-time monitoring of Singapore’s water distribution system by a network of wireless sensors to reduce water losses by detecting leaks and pipe burst events (a first step towards the development of a smart water grid).

Non-point source water quality in Singapore's catchments

Sampling and bacterial analysis of stormwater drains suggest leakage from the sanitary sewer system as a possible source of contamination of Singapore’s surface waters.

Ecological genomic indicators for urban water quality

Study of microbial community gene content and expression in water to identify the next generation of bioindicators for water quality monitoring.

Measurement and models of the urban atmosphere

Study of the interactions of the built environment and the urban atmosphere, which influence each other, with impacts on near-surface air temperature, air quality, air movement and rainfall.

In-situ chemical sensing for urban, marine, and climate monitoring

Development of miniaturised LED-Induced-Fluorescence sensors for rapid in-situ measurements of water quality to identify and help solve water quality problems more effectively.

Coastal Environment and Sediment Transport (CEST)

The WCS facility (NUS) is the first of its kind to be able to simulate sediment transport by combined wavecurrent flows over a sloping bottom.

Dynamics of sediment clouds

Experimental, theoretical, and numerical simulations are used to study the fluid mechanics of sediment clouds observed in land reclamation and dredging waste disposal.

Near-field hydrodynamic sensors

Developing MEMS-sensor-arrays to detect objects and flow patterns underwater and harbour-seal-whiskerlike sensors for underwater sensing and tracking. These biomimetic sensors are then mounted on autonomous robotic systems (WAVES Lab, see below).

Water and air vehicles for environmental sensing (WAVES lab)

Developing path planning tools, navigation control tools and new marine vehicles (stingray) that can be used to augment the capabilities of an autonomous robotic fleet for monitoring and inspection of the Singapore harbour.

Imaging underwater in occluded and turbid environments

Developing high-speed holographic particle image velocimetry (PIV) instruments to acquire 3D flow data, and improve visibility for optical imaging in the turbulent waters of Singapore’s port.

Records of anthropogenic marine lead (Pb) and regional climate change

Study of the geochemistry of carbonate layers deposited by reef-building corals to infer past changes (decades to century ago) in heavy metals and climate in marine environments.

Regional climate modeling and coupled ocean-atmosphere modeling of the maritime continent

An integrated regional climate modeling system, coupling the regional ocean model and new land surface scheme, has been developed to better predict rainfall events. A coupled ocean-atmosphere model has been developed to predict future climate scenarios over the next 20 to 40 years.

Simulations of the present climate of the circulation of the South China Sea and Indonesian Throughflow

Developing MEMS-sensor-arrays to detect objects and flow patterns underwater and harbour-seal-whiskerlike sensors for underwater sensing and tracking. These biomimetic sensors are then mounted on autonomous robotic systems (WAVES Lab, see below).

Global climate modeling and processes

To improve our understanding of some largest uncertainties in climate projections, particularly the impact of anthropogenic aerosols on the monsoon system and aerosol-cloud-precipitation interactions. Use climate system model to study future climate change and provide results for making regional climate projections.

Carbon, water, and energy fluxes from forested and deforested tropical environments

Measuring ecosystem exchange and its coupling with hydrology in tropical peatlands and turf.