How NTU’s homegrown technologies are reshaping our future
by Lester Kok + ChatGPT / Visuals by DALL-E
NTU’s insect innovators: Tomorrow’s lifesavers
Now
At NTU, things are getting a little buggy, but in the coolest way possible. Prof Hirotaka Sato and his squad have literally given life to cyborg cockroaches. Forget superheroes; these tiny critters are the real deal. Decked out with sensors and transmitters, they’re training to weave through earthquake debris like pros, all for search and rescue. These bugs will not just wander aimlessly; they’ll be on a mission to find survivors and ping back their locations – talk about being seriously tech-savvy.
Future
These robo-roaches could be the MVPs of rescue missions. Picture this: a swarm of these tech-infused insects, with next-level sensors and teamwork that would put your group project to shame, diving into spots where even the bravest rescuers can’t reach. They might soon be doing more than just saving lives; think environmental monitoring or even zipping around in space. NTU isn’t just playing with bugs – it’s redefining the future of rescue and exploration, one cyborg cockroach at a time. Get ready, because it’s about to get insect-intense! 🐛🤖
Plucky power in feathered fuel cells
Now
NTU and ETH Zurich are pioneering the conversion of chicken feathers into a thin, proton-conducting membrane. This isn’t just an unusual experiment; it’s a stride towards eco-friendly innovation, transforming poultry byproducts into valuable resources.
Future
Envision chicken feathers as key players in reducing toxic chemicals and minimising carbon footprints. With NTU and ETH Zurich’s cutting-edge research, these common feathers are set to emerge as a significant resource for sustainable bioproducts. A future rich in feather-derived solutions is on the horizon.
Heal in 3D print style
Now
NTU and the Singapore General Hospital have joined forces to revolutionise medical tech with their new 3D printing lab. In the works are custom prostheses and bone implants that will provide medical breakthroughs for patients. The future of personalised medicine is being crafted, layer by layer.
Future
Healthcare will mirror the wonders of science fiction. From bioprinting living tissues to crafting specific metal implants for complex surgeries, this collaboration will redefine patient care. With this leap towards tailored health solutions, there will be a new era of bespoke medical miracles.
How we used AI
ChatGPT turned factual descriptions of NTU technologies into engaging snippets; DALL-E produced visuals of the future scenarios based on specific keywords.
😮: When prompted, ChatGPT expertly created both the NOW and FUTURE scenarios for this story based on short descriptions of the existing technologies.
🤔: However, up to 10 rounds of prompting were needed to create each visual; for instance, prompting DALL-E for a “cute cyborg roach” resulted in intimidating, larger-than-life roach-terminators, while the response to a request for a tub filled with chicken feathers was a vat full of chickens. When prompting AI for visuals, it helps to be as specific as possible – set the scene and the camera angle, detail the action, and decide which objects should be in the foreground or background, like how a director of photography on a film set would.
Lester K
This story was published in the Jan-Feb 2024 issue of HEY!. To read it and other stories from this issue in print, click here.
