How NTU-made technologies are changing our future
by Lester Kok / Illustrations and video by Vivian Lim
Nutty invention to help kill bacteria
Now
NTU’s food scientists have found a way to extract a powerful antimicrobial compound from the discarded husks of edible seeds that has been shown to inhibit the growth of bacteria. This new compound was used in anti-bacterial cloth masks that were distributed nationwide to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Future
Being naturally derived, the antimicrobial compound could be used in healthcare and other settings as a non-toxic coating on clothing or protective gear to kill germs and prevent disease transmission.
Spraying COVID-19 away
Now
A robot developed at NTU can be remotely controlled to disinfect large surfaces quickly. It comes with an electrostatic nozzle on an “arm” that mimics human movement. The ultra-fine droplets sprayed out easily latch onto surfaces, even the back of door handles. With this, cleaners not only have an extra hand but can keep safe on the job.
Future
A team of small robots operating autonomously can be run in shifts to disinfect hospitals, shopping malls and other crowded places round the clock. With an army of dexterous mobile cleaning assistants at our beck and call, it would be easier to contain and prevent viral outbreaks.
Plastic is fantastic… for powering fuel cells
Now
Chemists on campus have made a cheap catalyst from a metal, vanadium, that converts plastic waste into formic acid with the help of artificial sunlight. Formic acid can be used to power fuel cells in electric cars and trains, or as an alternative clean
power source.
Future
Using real sunlight to break down plastic would be an environmentally-friendly way of tackling the growing problem of waste disposal. At the same time, the chemicals obtained can be used in fuel cell technology to generate electricity for power plants and renewable energy facilities.
This story was published in the Aug-Sep 2020 issue of HEY!. To read it and other stories from this issue in print, click here.
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