Three graduating students from the Diploma in Intelligent Building Technology, Dai Si Ming, Zhang Yi and Wang Yu Heng, have developed a novel food dryer that uses pressure to remove moisture from herbs. Unlike solar or other forms of heat which may cause damage to the cells and result in nutrient loss, drying by pressure changes can help retain the colour and nutrients in the herbs.

The group’s effort was featured prominently on pg. 12 of the 18 Aug 2007 edition of Lianhe Zaobao, reported on in the Mandarin news on 95.8 FM, and also featured in MediaCorp’s Channel 8 and Channel U news. One of the team members, Zhang Yi, in an interview with Lianhe Zaobao, noted that presently, most TCM herbs are dried in the open. This method tends to be both unhygienic and damaging to the color, smell and medicinal value of the herbs. He added that some medical halls were interested in their project as pressure drying helps retain the herbs’ original colour, smell and medicinal value.

Dr Ernest Chua, the project supervisor, was very pleased that the students could apply what they had learnt in building air flow, temperature and humidity control to create the pressure food dryer. The food dryer was one of 37 projects featured in TP’s Engineering Project Show (EPS), which ran from 15 – 16 Aug 2007.

Mr. Tang Roy and his team of students could solve an important problem faced by LTA as a collaboration Project with them. In this project they developed a method and system to close the gap between the MRT train and the platform thus reducing the risk of accidents and providing convenience to wheel chair bound passengers

This Project also won the prestigious IES Award and the Than Kah Kee Silver Medal

A SHOPPING cart developed by three students from the Diploma in Intelligent Building Technology has given new hope to the wheelchair-bound.

The cart comprises an adjustable PVC frame on which a shopping basket is mounted. The frame is then attached to the front of a standard wheelchair, so that a handicapped person can do his shopping independently

Illumination Analysis for Multi-storied Car Park

Temasek Polytechnic Staff Mr. Lim Kok Hee was invited by Lian He Wan Bao to conduct a site check for some of the multi-storey car parks in Bishan and Tao Payoh.. According the results of this the study, the illumination at the turning slope is the poorest in the multi-storied car park. Three of four car parks checked do not satisfy the minimum standards.  Mr. Lim suggested that the lighting sensor can be installed so that the lights can be automatically turned on when the illumination is inadequate.