How NTU-made technologies are changing our future
by Lester Kok / Illustrations and animation by Vivian Lim
A mask-have for the pandemic
Now
Be pandemic-savvy with a new smart mask co-developed by NTU scientists. Connected wirelessly via Bluetooth to a smartphone, the mask has sensors that can capture the skin temperature, blood oxygen saturation, blood pressure and heart rate of the user.
Future
When developed into a small standalone device, the sensors can be easily attached to the inside of any mask. This will make it possible to remotely monitor the health of hospital-based workers and COVID-19 patients in real time.
Energy-saving “liquid window”
Now
NTU’s materials scientists have developed a “liquid window” that can block sunlight to keep a building cool while trapping thermal heat that can be released through the day and night to cut energy costs. They achieved this with a water-based gel sandwiched between glass panes. The gel traps and stores thermal energy, and in tests, this technology reduced up to 45 per cent of the energy needed in a building for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning.
Future
Buildings that adopt the new heat-trapping windows can be made predominantly from glass yet enjoy lower energy consumption without suffering from the greenhouse effect (where heat gets trapped in glass buildings).
New spin on cooling
Now
A UFO-shaped bladeless fan is the latest cool gizmo on the NTU Smart Campus. Unlike conventional fans that blow air downwards, the made-in-NTU “Vortec” fan uses the vortex concept by drawing air up the centre and throwing it outwards like an umbrella. It can generate up to twice as much airflow at half the electricity consumption, quickly cooling occupants in a room by wicking up moisture from their skin. Fitted with an ultraviolet LED, it’s also COVID-19 ready as it disinfects itself, killing germs on its surfaces.
Future
Instead of using multiple air-conditioners, smart buildings can be kitted out with multiple Vortecs to circulate cool air and cut utility bills.
This story was published in the Jan-Mar 2021 issue of HEY!. To read it and other stories from this issue in print, click here.
