2021-2022 Innovation of the Year Award Winner: Institute of Technical Education

Explosive Vapours/Particles Simulator

Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) can only deploy two bomb detectors—each costing about US$147,405—for training four times a year. The rest of the time, these expensive devices are on standby for actual field deployment. MINDEF trainees, therefore, do not have many opportunities to have hands-on drills with the detectors to become familiar with handling explosives. The only applicant capable of meeting MINDEF’s tender requirements for an explosive simulator, the Institute of Technical Education team adapted Bluetooth technology and developed a handheld device that MINDEF could use to simulate the detection of land explosives based on the strength of detected vapours. Generating cost savings of US$146,300 each, the simulator (costing US$1,105) is identical to the actual bomb detector in terms of usage, feel, look, and weight. This provides realism in training for trainees, which can now be conducted all year round. The team also developed three scenarios for trainers to simulate different situations to which trainees can respond.

Innovators

  • Florence Chee, Lecturer, Mechanical Engineering
  • Sam Chew Liang, Senior Lecturer, Electrical Engineering
  • Tan Beng Soon, Lecturer, Mechanical Engineering
  • Tan Kwong Luck, Manager, Technology Development Center
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