Unique Singapore lab to develop defense apps

SINGAPORE: Joining hands towards the fulfillment of a nanotechnology research alliance in their bid to develop defense and security applications, Singapore-based Nanyang Technology University (NTU), based in Singapore, France's National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and French electronics group Thales have floated the CNRS International-NTU-Thales Research Alliance (CINTRA).

The setting up of a joint research laboratory would give final shape to the alliance. The CINTRA Laboratory will go on stream by the end of October at NTU's Research Techno Plaza.

It is being expected that technologies such as an imaging chip to process and display real-time multi-dimensional information would be enabled by the three players who have come together to realize the alliance goals.

The Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of CINTRA was signed on Wednesday in Paris, France, witnessed by Singapore's Minister of Education and Second Minister of Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen and France's Minister of Higher Education and Research, Valérie Pécresse, said a press release.

The signatories to the agreement are NTU President, Dr Su Guaning; Director General CNRS, Arnold Migus and chief technical officer Thales, Dr Marko Erman.

The CINTRA Laboratory aims to harness the latest in science and technology to develop innovations in nanotechnologies for future computing, sensing, and communication applications, the release added.

The The collaboration will among the three partners would provide appropriate resources in terms of personnel, finance and materials to the lab for carrying out research, it is expected.

“The CINTRA laboratory will be an important conduit for the transfer of scientific and technological knowledge, breakthroughs and industrial innovations between Singapore and France,” said NTU President, Dr Su Guaning.

The CINTRA Lab, to be managed by a scientific committee with representatives from the three entities, will house about 50 Singapore and French researchers in the next two years. All three partners will pump in money to fund the lab.