Reflection: Leader-Benjamin Fheng

Day 1: 

1. Importance of Water - Dirty and Clean (Professor Ng Wun Jern)


One key takeaway is that I learnt that bacteria is used to purify water. I have learnt to my trip to NEWater that water is purified by processes such as reverse-osmosis and UV ray purification. This grew my interest for the purification of water as he continued on about how new bacteria are created to treat water and other important things.
The speaker was talking about how a huge portion of the world is living without access to drinking water resources and inadequate sanitation of water in the area. Such countries like Africa, many million of people die each year due to the lack of clean drinking water. This inspired me to think about how we are all taking our drinking water for granted. I also thought; if all of us use half of the amount of clean water we're using each year, this amount of water can save millions of lives.

2. Revolution of Microelectronics Technology (By Professor Yeo Kiat Seng)


Microelectronics Technology is a transformation of Singapore's electronic industry. Examples of microelectronics are like the gaming devices such the handheld device the PSP and the computer. Microelectronics are also used for entertainment, medicine, manufacturing, communication, transportation and many more. Microelectronics also include the internet, which is a major part in the world now that the world is developing.
Microelectronics are also important in hospitals to provide pulse readers and x-rays. There are Nine 'O's in Integrated Circuits;
- Bio
- Radio
- Auto
- Info
- Nano
- Water=Hydro=H20
- Audio
- Video
- Energy=m.c^2=m.c^two
There are also new technologies being developed to become BioNanoElectronics. These things that I have learnt are the key takeaways. I also have been thinking about inventing a device that scans it's surroundings like a radar and are connected to blind people's brains to send brain waves. Unfortunately I don't think it will be possible right now as I am still young. But I will definitely continue working on it. Since the new XBOX Kinect module is out, I may try and research and experiment on it.

3. Innovative breakthroughs in Nano-Science and Nano-Technology (By Professor Ma Jan)

Nano Technology is used in medicine, beauty products, military, purifying water, new technologies, fuel cells and many many more. One key takeaway is that I have learnt that nano materials are extremely fascinating and would like to take courses on it in the future. Since I was in primary school, I have been fascinated with nano technology as I always wondered how they form such small particles together to make such strong material.
Today's session said that in the future, there will be such things as Quantum Dots that can store large amounts of information in an extremely small object with a small surface area. There are also objects that are coated with nano technology that is extremely strong even though it is not thick nor made of steel. Badminton rackets can be made from nano technology and be virtually unbreakable by man. And I know that nano technology will one day help us be invisible or be used as armor to fight battles. This will increase the soldier's chance of survival in battle and save many lives during an unlikely battle. This session has sparked curiosity in me and I will definitely want to learn more about nano technology.

4. IT for Animation (by Professor Seah Hock Soon)

Animation is an optical illusion of motion created by a consecutive display of two or more images played continuously. I have learnt that animation involves a lot of math such as Linear Algebra, Geometry and calculus. These help us to light up a scene and physics will help us to animate the dynamic of fire, water and fabric movement. Some 2 dimensional anime/cartoons in the past require as huge and tedious amount of work. One of these episodes might very well take a week to create! Now, with the advancement in technology, creating animations are easier and are not necessarily needing to draw works of art. This also costs less as manual labour is very expensive. 3D movies are cheaper to produce than 2D shows as less manual labour is needed.

5. Disappearing glaciers, rising sea levels, and why gravity is even more important than you think (by Assistant Professor Emma Hill)


One very important point stated by the speaker in her presentation is that Sea-level rise will not be the same everywhere. She showed us a diagram of the Earth and said that when the glaciers melt, not only will the sea levels rise but the land area which is covered with glaciers will rise. She showed us a module of the earth and that the glaciers are pushing down the the land and causing the land to be lower than other parts of the world. The module is obtained by a satellite that is called The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) that was launched by NTU. Another very important point stated by her is also that sea-leve rise will be highest farthest from the glaciers. This is very alarming as many Singaporeans say that we are safe from sea level rise. This worries me and I hope everyone can be aware of this situation as well.

The plenary session that leaves the deepest impression on me is Innovative breakthroughs in Nano-Science and Nano-Technology (3rd presentation By Professor Ma Jan). 
What I like about it is that I have always had an interest in nano-technology, but not had any education on it. I discovered many thing I did not know about nano-technology that I did know was possible. I was amazed at how nano-technology can change our whole world. It will make our world so powerful and invincible that a meteor might not do anything to a nano shield. However, nano-technology can also be use to make an atomic bomb power so huge it can blow up a huge fraction of the world. Nano-tech can make people be able to be invisible or impervious to bullets. Nano-technology is scary and amazing at the same time, it's hard to choose sides.