Issue No. 13 (October 2006)http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/alumni/index.html

DINOSAURS!DINOSAURS!DINOSAURS!DINOSAURS!DINOSAURS!A A A A A T. rexT. rexT. rexT. rexT. rex named SUE and Friends named SUE and Friends named SUE and Friends named SUE and Friends named SUE and FriendsThe Faculty of Science and Singapore Science Centreco-hosted the exhibition “Dinosaurs! A T. rex named SUEand Friends” from May 20 to August 20, 2006. It provideda face-to-face experience of life in the Cretaceousperiod. Taking centre stage was the “T. rex named SUE”exhibit which was on display for the first time in SoutheastAsia, based on the world’s largest, most complete andbest-preserved T. rex. fossil. There were also sectionson palaeontology, evolution, extinction andconservation. The opening ceremony was held on May22, 2006, with His Excellency S.R. Nathan, Presidentof Singapore, gracing the event as Guest-of-Honour.

We were honoured to have partnered The FieldMuseum, one of the world’s great natural historymuseums and the Singapore Science Centre in thisendeavour to showcase how different fields in Science,such as biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics andcomputing, come together to interpret and recreate thelives of extinct organisms.

EDITOR:Lee Hian Kee

CO-EDITORS:Chin Wee ShongLim Wan Li

Please direct enquiries to:Chin Wee ShongChemistry Alumni NetworkDepartment of ChemistryNational University of Singapore3 Science Drive 3Singapore 117543

Email: chmcws@nus.edu.sg

We welcome contributions fromChemistry alumni. For alumni who areinterested, please kindly contact usat the above email address.

HOLDING TIES 1-5DINOSAURS! A T. rex named SUE and FriendsScience Alumni and Family Night 2006Distinguished & Outstanding ALumni AwardsBack to Study - A Full Circle!Cultures of Creativity20th Anniversary Reunion for Class of 1986

DEPARTMENT WATCH 6Chemistry China Immersion Program 2006Conferences & Symposia

REACHING OUT 7National Crystal Growing ChallengeChemistry Career FairHonours Graduation BallChemical Magic & Magical Chemistry

SOMETHING CHEMISTRY 8Femtosecond lasers in Chemistry and Biology

What’sinside . . .

Behindthe scenes . . .

2 Holding ties2 Holding ties

ScienceScienceScienceScienceScienceAlumni andAlumni andAlumni andAlumni andAlumni andFamily NightFamily NightFamily NightFamily NightFamily Night20062006200620062006

Riding on the “DINOSAURS! – A T. rexnamed Sue and Friends” exhibitionorganized by the Faculty of Science, theScience Alumni and Family Night 2006was held on June 03, 2006 at theSingapore Science Centre.

It was a casual affair, with Prof ShihChoon Fong, President of NUS as theGuest-of-Honour. Alumni of highachievements were honoured in theaward presentation ceremony asDistinguished and Outstanding Alumni2006. Alumni and family members, aswell as NUS staff, enjoyed a privateviewing of the exhibition and caught upwith one another under the dinosaurs.The interactives on display proved to bea great draw for the children in particular.Everyone enjoyed a sumptuousinternational buffet dinner at thecourtyard.

Unique to the event this year was thelaunch of the Science Student OverseasExposure Fund that aims to raise fundsfor needy Science undergraduates toparticipation in overseas exchangeprograms (details on adjacent page). Wewould like to take the opportunity to thankthose Chemistry alumni who donatedgenerously to this cause.

Holding ties 3Holding ties 3

Science Student Overseas Exposure FundScience Student Overseas Exposure FundScience Student Overseas Exposure FundScience Student Overseas Exposure FundScience Student Overseas Exposure FundThe Fund serves to help needy students to go overseas for an enhanced education andcrosscultural experience. To this aim, the Faculty of Science strives to channel 50-70% of ourstudents through some form of international exchange during their time in NUS. Donors to theFund will enjoy double tax deduction, with a government matching grant . Amongst the severalfund raising efforts through the T. rex event , donors who donate $2,000 or more by 31 Dec 2006will have a special T. rex foot print tile (right) with their name or company logo imprinted, and thetiles will be mounted permanently on our Wall of Appreciation at our Lecture Theatre 25 foyer. Ifyou would like to know more about the Fund and its donation procedure, please kindly visit http://www.science.nus.edu.sg/aboutus/fund/overseas_giving/.

Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Augustine Ong Soon HockBSc UM (1957), BSc Hons UM (1958), MSc UM (1959)President, Malaysia Oil Scientists’ and Technologies’ Association“Seeking for scientific truths is fascinating and this could be a magnificent obsession.”

Dr Tan Eng Liang, PJGBSc (1960), BSc Hons (1961)Rhodes Scholar/ OlympianVice-President, Wuthelam Holdings LtdSenior Minister of State (1975-1980) & MP (1972-1980)

Dr Kwok Kain SzeB.Sc. SU (1967), B.Sc. SU Hons (1968)Chief Scientific Officer (Food & Beverage), Fraser & Neave Ltd“Getting a good mentor is the best thing that can happen to a person’s life. Conversely, itis also most satisfying to be accepted as a mentor by others. A good mentor is both“teacher”, guardian and, most importantly, a life-long friend.”

Mrs Irene Tan-Goh Ek EkB.Sc. SU (1970)Deputy Manager, Quality Assurance of the Group R&D Department in Prima LtdPresident, Singapore Institute of Food Science and Technology (February 2003 - May 2006)“Success is a journey, not a destination.”

Mr Tan Hui BoonB.Sc. Hons SU (1963)Senior Vice-President, Singapore Airlines“After spending two thirds of my career in management, I strongly believe that thediscipline in Science provided me with grounding and equipped me for my work incorporate management and finance.”

Dr Yu RongqingPhD (1999)Founder of Suzhou Goldengreen Technologies Ltd, Suzhou, China

Detailed writeups of alumniaward winners can be found atthe Faculty website http://www.sc ience .nus .edu .sg /alumni/alumniawards/ as wellas the Faculty newsletterOmniSci.

2006 Distinguished Alumni Awards

2006 Outstanding Alumni Awards

PreviousPreviousPreviousPreviousPreviousDistinguished AlumniDistinguished AlumniDistinguished AlumniDistinguished AlumniDistinguished Alumni

AwardeesAwardeesAwardeesAwardeesAwardees

Dr Lee Kum Tatt (2005)

Ms Olivia Lum Ooi Lin (2005)

Mr Wong Ah Long (2005)

Emeritus Prof Kiang Ai Kim(2004)

Emeritus Prof Huang HsingHua (1999)

Dr Yeo Ning Hong (1999)

PreviousPreviousPreviousPreviousPreviousOutstanding AlumniOutstanding AlumniOutstanding AlumniOutstanding AlumniOutstanding Alumni

AwardeesAwardeesAwardeesAwardeesAwardees

Dr Chua Yong Hai (2005)

Dr Koh Lip Lin (2005)

Ms Natasha Kwan Yuen Ching(2005)

Dr Lan Weiguang (2005)

Ms Lien Wen Sze (2005)

Mrs Jane Lim-Wee (2005)

Prof Sim Keng Yeow (2005)

Dr Tan Eng Liang (2005)

Mr Tan Seng Chye (2005)

4 Holding ties4 Holding ties

Back to Study - A Full Circle!Back to Study - A Full Circle!Back to Study - A Full Circle!Back to Study - A Full Circle!Back to Study - A Full Circle!

I last wrote for ChemConnections (Issue No.4, May 2001) when Dr Chin, who was myHonours year research supervisor, invitedme to share my experiences for my 12-month Training and AttachmentProgramme (TAP) co-sponsored by EDBand 3M Asia Pacific. This stint wasconducted at 3M’s headquarters inMinnesota, U.S.A. As I had just graduatedfrom NUS then, I was extremely thrilled atthe prospect of starting my career overseas!Nearly six years have passed and Dr Chininvited me to write about my careerhighlights now - things have indeed gone afull circle!

After completing my training stint in the US,I returned to Singapore to work for 3M AsiaPacific as an Applications DevelopmentEngineer. Over the past 5 years, the projectsI worked on spanned diverse marketsegments of the Electronics Industry in Asia.During this time, I learnt to deal with thefrenetic working cultures and businesspractices of the semiconductor industries.In order to handle difficult situations well, Ilearnt to work through the questions,assumptions and information beforemaking a commitment, while at the sametime attempting to meet all stakeholders’needs. Some of the most rewardingoutcomes of my structured approachinclude saving customers from having toshut down production lines and launchingtheir products ahead of schedule.

With five years of technical expertise inproduct and application development forpolymer adhesives under my belt, I becamevery proficient in relating the properties ofprototypes to their efficacy in customers’

the knowledge gaps between 3M’scorporate research centres and majorindustry players. However, there wereoccasions when I felt that such tasks wouldhave been easier if I had taken moreadvanced classes in polymer chemistry andsynthesis when I was an undergraduate.However, the fundamental lessons that I hadassimilated, especially those pertaining toorganic chemistry and polymer properties,enabled me to pick up the adhesive productdevelopment skills quickly enough tosucceed in my career.

Having achieved my career goals in theelectronics industry, I strived to expand myunderstanding of other fields, such asspecialty chemicals and life sciences. I thendecided to return to academia and choseto study at the Materials Science andEngineering department in CornellUniversity. It was very difficult to get used tobeing a student again. However, I enjoyedtackling new challenges and ‘biting thebullet’. I found it hard to juggle the demandsof the rigorous coursework and fundamentalmaterials research work in the lab. Mymission was even tougher because I hadvery limited time to complete my project inthe 1-year professional Masters program.However, I persevered and spent much timein Cornell’s Nanobiotechnology Centre(NBTC). I worked hard to develop core-shell fluorescent silica nanoparticles fortracking pH and Ca2+ concentrationchanges within cells. In fact, I enjoyed theexperience so much that I decided toembark on a new career in research.

In the ensuing job search, I found that theskills that I had garnered in undergraduate

and graduate research workcomplemented the international projectmanagement experience that I hadacquired in 3M. Upon my return toSingapore, I sought out the Germanchemicals company, BASF, and became aresearcher at their new research facility fornanostructured surfaces.

The aggressive efforts of governmentbodies, such as the EDB and A*STAR, haveencouraged several companies to invest inR & D capabilities in Singapore. Perhapsthese successes will motivate morestudents to consider getting a Masters orPhD degree in a technical field. Moreover,I hope that more people, and companies,will regard research as a well-respected andviable career. This will generate themomentum, innovation and inventions thatcan take Singapore to the new heights ofinternational technical recognition andfinancial success

Commencement Day (May 29 2006); phototaken outside Duffield Hall where the CornellNanobio-technology Centre is located.

by by by by by Kim Yoong, Honours 1999/2000Kim Yoong, Honours 1999/2000Kim Yoong, Honours 1999/2000Kim Yoong, Honours 1999/2000Kim Yoong, Honours 1999/2000

NUS is proud to bring you the world-renowned “Cultures of Creativity – theCentennial Exhibition of the Nobel Prize”. Singapore is the 12th destinationin this exhibition’s 15-city world tour. Be inspired by the original artifacts,unique displays and film snippets on the creative geniuses of the NobelLaureates, the Nobel System and the man who made the Nobel Prizepossible, Alfred Nobel. The exhibition will be on October 26, 2006 - January24, 2007 at the Lee Kong Chian Atrium, University Hall of NUS. Ticketproceeds will be used to support student bursaries.

For more information, please visithttp://www.nus.edu.sg/nobelexhibition/index.htm

Holding ties 5Holding ties 5

20th Anniversary Reunion for Class of 198620th Anniversary Reunion for Class of 198620th Anniversary Reunion for Class of 198620th Anniversary Reunion for Class of 198620th Anniversary Reunion for Class of 1986

For more photos on the gathering, please visithttp://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/alumni/activities alumni_gatherin_16_Sep_2006/index.htm

The Chemistry Class of 1986 had amemorable evening on September 16,2006 when more than 30 of us gatheredfor a mini but joyous celebration of the20th year of their graduation. Some evenmade a special effort to fly in from Chinaand Malaysia for the get-together. Theevent was made possible by somededicated classmates, whose detectivework managed to contact as many ofus as possible. The evening started witha sumptuous buffet outside NUS LectureTheatre 25. In between mouthfuls, therewas a lot of catching-up of happeningsin the past 20 years.

The highlight of the evening was aslideshow of the time we spent at NUS.It brought back great memories of thegood old days on campus. The eveningcontinued with a few words fromeveryone, describing careers andfamilies. A lot of contact details weresubsequently exchanged and cameraswere kept busy. We all expressed thehope to meet again in the not-too-distantfuture.

by by by by by Wong Chia WoanWong Chia WoanWong Chia WoanWong Chia WoanWong Chia Woan

6 Department watch6 Department watch

China Immersion Program 2006China Immersion Program 2006China Immersion Program 2006China Immersion Program 2006China Immersion Program 2006by Ng Zhaoyueby Ng Zhaoyueby Ng Zhaoyueby Ng Zhaoyueby Ng Zhaoyue

On 15 May 2006, a group of 30 NUSChemistry students departed fromSingapore to Shanghai for a three-weekChina Immersion Program –thedepartment’s first overseas group tour. Ledby Dr Lu Yixin and Assoc Prof Li Tianhu, Iwas one of the privileged few to embark onthis unprecedented learning journey to theEast, with the objectives of fostering anunderstanding of China’s historical andcultural aspects as well as its industrialdevelopments. Cool breezes greeted us aswe got off the plane at Pudong InternationalAirport. It was late spring in Shanghai andthe cool weather was a refreshing changefrom Singapore’s hot weather all-year round.We huddled close to our windbreakers andscrambled up our coach, luggage in tow.Hence, began our highly anticipated tourencompassing Shanghai City, Hangzhou inZhejiang Province and Nanjing and Suzhouin Jiangsu Province.

Shanghai is indeed a bustling metropoliswith skyscrapers decorating its skyline. Themultitude of architectural styles along theShanghai Bund attests to its long andcomplicated history. The futuristic Pearl TVTower is an emblem of the rapidlydeveloping Shanghai. At Hangzhou, wewent on a sightseeing cruise on the WestLake and spent the morning appreciatingits tranquil beauty. We also learnt about thespirit of Freedom, Equality and Fraternity atDr Sun Yat-Sen’s mausoleum in Nanjing.During our last stop at Suzhou, we visitedthe China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Parkwhich we heard so much about but neverhad the chance to see. Today, it is one ofthe fastest growing and most competitiveindustrial development zones in the world.Its success can be attributed to the effectivecollaboration between the governments ofChina and Singapore.

What sets this immersion program from anyguided tour was the incorporation ofindustrial visits to small and mediumenterprises (SMEs) and multinationalcompanies (MNCs) which are usually outof bounds to the public. From the sharingsessions by the companies’

representatives, we gained invaluableinsights into the various niche fields –pharmaceutical, biochemistry, agricultural,chemicals and so on. Success hingesmainly on innovation and quality assurance.The companies do not engage inmeaningless price war, instead they striveto maintain their competitive edges bydriving technological advances throughR&D. The SMEs like Hangzhou ZhijiangSilicone Chemicals Co. Ltd adopted aglobalised outlook in order to expand theirmarket beyond China. In fact, it attractedthe attention of MNCs like General Electricwho explored possibilities of a bilateralcooperation. Its founder was inspirationalin that he was an accountant before enteringa Chemistry-related enterprise. Theentrepreneurial streak in him drove him toturn Zhijiang Silicone Chemicals into aninternationally renowned brand name.

We also visited world-renowned universitiesin China namely Fudan University, ZhejiangUniversity, Nanjing University and SuzhouUniversity. We were overwhelmed by thevastness of their campuses and intriguedby the omni-presence of the statues of MaoZedong –the founder of the People’sRepublic of China. We learnt about the richculture of each university and marvelled attheir students’ active involvement in nationalissues in the long history of China. Mostnotably, we forged close friendship ties withour counterparts in Zhejiang and SuzhouUniversities through interaction sessionsduring which we were engaged in fun-filledactivities and cross-cultural exchanges.

Our three weeks in China culminated inbeautiful memories, important lessons aswell as warm friendship ties (with fellowstudents and Chinese friends) to bemaintained for many years ahead.

Symposia &Symposia &Symposia &Symposia &Symposia &ConferencesConferencesConferencesConferencesConferencesThe Department organized theSingapore-China Collaborative andCooperative Chemistry Symposium 3(SCCCCS-3) from January 05 - 06,2006 and Singapore-IndiaCollaborative and CooperativeChemistry Symposium 4 (SInCCCS-4) from February 20 - 21, 2006 toserve as a platform to develop andsustain our academic and researchrelationships with key foreignuniversities. A wide range ofcontemporary research areas inbasic and applied chemistry wascovered in these symposia, whichalso included research presentationsand academic discussions.

Our first Chemistry HonoursSymposium was held on April 13,2006 in NUS University Hall, attendedby Honours students, staff, distin-guished alumni, schools, associates/collaborators. It was a showcase ofthe research projects of our Honoursstudents in posters. In addition, fourwell known scientists including NobelLaureate Prof Kurt Wuthrich, Prof KCNicolaou (below), Prof Johanne Plankand Prof Ekkehardt Hahn deliveredplenary lectures.

Events coming up soon from theDepartment include the inauguralSingapore-Australia Collaborativeand Cooperative ChemistrySymposium (SAuCCCS) fromNovember 22 - 23, 2006 and the 6thInternational Symposium by ChineseInorganic Chemists (ISCIC-6) & 9thInternational Symposium by ChineseOrganic Chemists (ISCOC-9) fromDecember 17 - 21, 2006.

Reaching out 7Reaching out 7

National CrystalNational CrystalNational CrystalNational CrystalNational CrystalGrowing ChallengeGrowing ChallengeGrowing ChallengeGrowing ChallengeGrowing Challenge

Chemistry Career DayChemistry Career DayChemistry Career DayChemistry Career DayChemistry Career Day20062006200620062006

Chemistry HonoursChemistry HonoursChemistry HonoursChemistry HonoursChemistry HonoursGraduation Ball 2006Graduation Ball 2006Graduation Ball 2006Graduation Ball 2006Graduation Ball 2006

Chemical Magic andChemical Magic andChemical Magic andChemical Magic andChemical Magic andMagical ChemistryMagical ChemistryMagical ChemistryMagical ChemistryMagical Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry, NUSand the Singapore National Instituteof Chemistry jointly organized the7th Singapore National CrystalGrowing Challenge held from Aprilto September 2006. The Challengeprovides secondary and tertiaryschool students the chance to learnthe art and science of growingcrystals, and through the process,discover the importance of relevantchemical techniques and learn toexercise their creativity.

There was unprecedentedoverwhelming response this year, with a total of 213 entriesregistered from over 90 schools. The exhibition and prizepresentation ceremony were held on September 23, 2006. HwaChong Institution bagged the championship in both Junior andSenior categories, whereas Bukit Panjang Government HighSchool came out tops in the Open category.

On August 07, 2006, we organized the Chemistry CareerDay, where leading players from industry (includingpharmaceutical, electronics and specialty chemicals),research and civil service sectors came together to publicizetheir companies and career opportunities for Chemistrygraduates (BSc, BSc(Hon), MSc and PhD) in theirorganizations, relevance of Chemistry to the job market,employee qualities in demand and possibily personalinsights on career advancement. In addition, the presentersinteracted with students who fielded questions onemployment.

The organizations that participated includeGlaxoSmithKline Inc, Pfizer Inc, Mitsuibishi ChemicalCorporation, BASF South East Asia Pte Ltd, MitsuiChemicals, Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing, theNorvatis Institute for Tropical Diseases, the Institute ofMaterials Research and Engineering and the Ministry ofEducation.

As part of our efforts to foster bonding with our graduatingstudents and would-be alumni, the Department organizedan Honours Graduation Ball on May 12, 2006 at Traders’Hotel. The excellent turnout includes Honours students, staff,FoS deanery representatives, VIPs and collaboratingpartners. It was a joyous affair, with good food and interestingentertainment put up by staff and students. Lucky drawswith attractive prizes were conducted. In view of the highlyencouraging response, it is our desire to organize the ballas an annual event and continue it as a tradition to establishcloser ties between the staff and students.

The Department organizeda chemistry-in-action showentitled Chemical Magicand Magical Chemistry onMarch 11, 2006, inconjunction with the theNUS Open House.

The show was performedby our Visiting Professor,Prof F. Ekkehardt Hahn, who is a well-known inorganic chemist.Prof Hahn has a reputation of being the David Copperfield ofChemistry magic.

The event was a full turnout with over 250 students, teachers andmembers from the public. The audience was entertained withexciting performances involving colours and fumes, all of whichwere derived from fundamental concepts of Chemistry. This wasan opportunity for us to demonstrate an alternative educationalavenue of learning science in a hands-on manner.

8 Something Chemistry8 Something Chemistry

Femtosecond Lasers in Chemistry and BiologyFemtosecond Lasers in Chemistry and BiologyFemtosecond Lasers in Chemistry and BiologyFemtosecond Lasers in Chemistry and BiologyFemtosecond Lasers in Chemistry and Biologyby Xu Qing-Huaby Xu Qing-Huaby Xu Qing-Huaby Xu Qing-Huaby Xu Qing-Hua

How fast is one femtosecond (fs)? 10-15

seconds! In such a short period of time, thelight travels a distance of only 0.3um, lessthan 1/200 of the width of a hair. Thanks tothe recent development of laser technology,particularly the discovery of Ti:sapphirelasers, ultrashort laser pulses less than100fs are now commercially available.Currently the shortest laser pulse directlygenerated from a Ti:sapphire laser is 4fs, aGuiness Word Record in 1999! Suchdevelopments have led to the birth of a newfield: femtoscience.

Femtosecond lasers have foundtremendous applications in chemistry,physics, biology, medicine and materialsscience. The major applications fall intotwo categories. 1. Their extremely shortduration offers best time resolution to studythe very fast processes (ultrafastspectroscopy); 2. Because of their shortpulse durations, their peak intensities arevery high, which has been used in nonlinearoptics, bio-imaging and micromachining.

The physicists and chemists have longdesired, without success, to observe theactual movement of the atoms in theformation of molecules during reactions.The chemical bonds are formed, brokenand transformed in the amazing speed. Theatom of matter moves at 1 km/sec. It onlytakes around 100 fs to travel a distance of 1Å (10-10 m, a typical size of an atom).Development of fs lasers has made suchdreams come true. The motion of the atomsand molecules, and the transformation fromreactants to products can be captured as ifthey were filmed. A good example is the faststructural changes taking places in themolecules responsible for vision. Usingfemtosecond lasers, researchers havedemonstrated how a single twist aroundchemical bond in the retina molecules,which occurs within 200fs, is responsiblefor initiating the complex bio-molecular

response eventually giving rise to a visionstimuli in the brain.

Femtosecond lasers have caused arevolution in the development ofmicroscopes for biomedical applications.Because of the peak intensity of a fs laserpulse, multi-photons can be simultaneouslyabsorbed by one molecule. Multi-photonmicroscopy is advantageous in providing3-D imaging capability and deeppenetration into tissues. Multi-photon hasbeen widely used for imaging living tissuesin cell biology and biomedical research.

Laser photons have also been used formedical diagnosis, therapeutic treatment,and internal surgery. These usually workthrough absorption of powerful light. Whenfs lasers are used for such applications,they can use much lower power since thelaser light is concentrated in a fs pulse, thusless heat is produced. This has enormousimplications in medical applications. Forexample, it is possible to remove tissuewithout inflicting any damage to nearbytissue. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is anestablished method to treat some cancersusing a combination of light and drugs. Atwo-photon PDT using fs lasers isadvantageous for several reasons,including the ability to work with a smallermore confined treatment area, and theability to treat deeper into diseased tissues.

Femtoscience is expected to present a newand interesting vision for femtotechnology.Advanced countries such as US and some

European countries, have made significantinvestment in femtoscience andfemtotechnology. Femtoscience is not atotally unfamiliar word in Singapore.Femtosecond lasers have been used intime-resolved and nonlinear spectroscopy,multi-photon microscopy, micromachiningand laser surgery in Singapore. A few newfemtosecond laboratories have beenestablished in Singapore and we expect tosee fostering research activities in thisexciting and still relatively new field.

Dr. Xu Qing-Huareceived his Ph.D. in2001 from UC Berkeley,where he worked withProf. Graham R. Flemingon use and development

of various nonlinear spectroscopictechniques in visible region to studychemical dynamics of simple chemicalprocesses and photosynthetic systems.He conducted his first postdoctoralresearch with Prof. Michael D. Fayer atStanford University, where he usedultrafast Infrared spectroscopy to studyvibrational dynamics on proteins andmodel heme compounds. Later on hemoved to UC Santa Barbra to work withProf. Alan J. Heeger, where he used acombination of ultrafast spectroscopy inboth UV-visible and infrared regions tostudy fundamental photophysics ofconjugated polymer materials as well astheir applications in DNA sensors. Hejoined our Department as an assistantprofessor in June 2005.

Figure 1. Thefemtosecond laser systemat NUS Chemistry.

Do you have any questions on Chemistry course, programmes and activities?Do you want to inform us about news on the fellow alumni?Please send all your enquiries and news to our one-stop hotline chmQ@nus.edu.sg.

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