The document describes 20 inventions created by researchers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore in 2017. Some of the key inventions mentioned include a belly patch that can help burn fat by turning white fat cells into brown fat cells, an autonomous shuttle that can transport people around campus, and a software that can virtually overlay information on real-life objects using augmented reality. The inventions cover diverse areas from healthcare and transportation to gaming, smart materials, renewable energy, and space technology.

1. 20 x 2017 NTU
inventions that gave
us a glimpse into
Tomorrowland.
NTUsg

2. 20 ’17 NTU inventions
#1
Here’s a belly patch that could help
burn fats. Made of hundreds of
microneedles containing anti-
obesity drugs, it can turn energy-
storing white fats into calorie-
burning brown ones.
FAT BUSTER Replace with pinch test
photo
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3. 20 ’17 NTU inventions
#2
Autonomous vehicles will ease the
manpower issues for public
transportation. Already being
tested at NTU is an air-conditioned
15-seater driverless shuttle that
could soon be a smartphone tap
away. Summon the shuttle to
shuffle you from the residential
halls toThe Hive.
DRIVERLESS SHUTTLE
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4. 20 ’17 NTU inventions
#3
Researchers at NTU’s Fraunhofer
Singapore have created a software
to layer information virtually over
real life objects using augmented
reality. Users can point their phones
at buildings or at any objects to get
information.
CYBER VISION
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5. 20 ’17 NTU inventions
#4
Meet Emma the robot masseuse.
Comprising a robotic arm with soft
silicon tips and powered by artificial
intelligence, it is able to measure
muscle stiffness before and after
therapy. It gives a precise recovery
report to aid physicians in treating
their patients.
ROBOT MASSAGE
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6. 20 ’17 NTU inventions
#5
NTU’s game programming
software, IntelliK takes the
complication out of game creation.
Enabling anyone to build games
like Minecraft without learning a
single line of code, it also teaches
them about big data and artificial
intelligence.
GAME CHANGER
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7. 20 ’17 NTU inventions
#6
A network of smart cars and traffic
management system is now
operational on the NTU campus.
Remote cameras can monitor
traffic, flagging out jaywalkers and
errant motorists. In future, it could
warn pedestrians of oncoming
traffic via their smartphones and
alert them when their bus is
arriving.
EYE-SPY
NTUsg

8. 20 ’17 NTU inventions
#7
Speakers that direct aural beams at
you will become smaller so you can
watch movies and listen to music
without headphones without
disturbing others.
ONLY YOU SPEAKERS
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9. 20 ’17 NTU inventions
#8
The next generation of smart
personal mobility devices that are
being created at NTU with
autoparts manufacturer Schaeffer
could warn you of traffic jams and
road hazards. E-scooters can also
transform into smart trolleys that
remind you to stock up on milk for
example.
WHEELIE SMART
NTUsg

10. 20 ’17 NTU inventions
#9
Smart bandages created by material
engineers at NTU can monitor your healing
process, keep tabs on your sports
performance or warn of imminent injuries.
WHAT’S UP PLASTER
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11. 20 ’17 NTU inventions
#10
Raise your mug to the most sustainable
brew ever. NTU scientists have found a
way to reuse spent beer grains to grow
beer yeast.This cuts down waste and
costs, resulting in cheaper and
“greener” beers. Besides spent grains,
other organic wastes from food
products like used soybeans can be
used to grow probiotics that will make
your gut healthier.
BEERY GOOD
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12. 20 ’17 NTU inventions
#11
The latest Re-RAM memory chip not
only stores data but also processes it.
We look forward to the day when
computers can become miniaturised
and fit into a flash drive. So all you will
need is a screen with a port to plug
the memory chip into.
RAM IT UP
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13. 20 ’17 NTU inventions
#12
Don’t be scammed. Scan 3D
printed products to tell them apart
from fakes. A new technique by
NTU Asst ProfTran AnhTuan
embeds unique codes into goods as
they’re printed so there’s no
question of legitimacy.
3D IMPRINTS
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14. 20 ’17 NTU inventions
#13
NTU scientists have created an
artificial flower that blooms when it
feels the sun’s rays. Have a seat that
shelters you on sunny or rainy days
but folds up in balmy weather.
SOLAR FLOWER
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15. 20 ’17 NTU inventions
#14
The invisibility cloak is real and can
mask small objects from sight. NTU
physicist Zhang Baile is working on
new ways to cloak more objects
from detection, to shield vehicles
from infra-red and radar waves for
instance.
INVISIBILITY CLOAK
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16. 20 ’17 NTU inventions
#15
A new band aid developed from active
ingredients refined from discarded
fatty issues can potentially patch up a
scar without leaving tell-tale marks.
FAT LOT OF GOOD
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17. 20 ’17 NTU inventions
#16
Soybean residue can be made into
cling wrap, thanks to NTU’s food
technologists led by ProfWilliam
Chen.The same upcycling
technology can be used to make
organic, biodegradable food
wrappers.
SOYA WRAP
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18. 20 ’17 NTU inventions
#17
Engineers have printed a drone
with its electronics inside in just
under 14 hours.They then got it
flight-ready by attaching the rotor
blades and motors.
PRINT-A-DRONE
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19. 20 ’17 NTU inventions
#18
Here’s a slow-release medicinal gel
to help men regain their crowning
glory.We await the day when a
slow-release medicine gel delivered
in a single jab bi-monthly is all it
takes to keep a headful of luscious
locks.
PATE POWER
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20. 20 ’17 NTU inventions
#19
NTU’s AOBAVELOX-III satellite
boasts miniaturised thrusters that
keep it in orbit twice as long as
other satellites. It could pave the
way for future space probes to
boldly go on low-cost missions
where no satellite has gone before.
SPACE RACER
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21. 20 ’17 NTU inventions
#20
The Outobot is a robot designed to
clean and carry out maintenance
duties on skyscrapers. Relieving
maintenance workers from risky
activities, they will instead be
upskilled to operate the Outobots.
OUTOBOTS
NTUsg

22. Like our list? Keep tabs on the latest
innovations by following NTUsg on
Facebook, Instagram,Twitter,
LinkedIn andYoutube.
Also look out for theTomorrowland
page in our bimonthly magazine,
HEY! (bit.ly/HEY_mag).
Illustrations: Derek Chua, Chris Foo
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