SERC's Strategic Thrusts

To fulfill A*STAR’s mission, SERC strives to develop a foundation of high quality research in key disciplines, nurture human capital for research, and promote information dissemination and technology transfer.

The core research activities of the SERC research institutes are in Singapore’s economically important industry clusters.

IME, DSI, I²R, IMRE and ICES are positioned to develop technologies relevant to specific industries in the electronics, infocomms, engineering and chemicals clusters.
SIMTech is positioned closer to industry to help solve advanced manufacturing problems.
IHPC provides supporting computational science and engineering capabilities.

The seamless integration of the research institutes is key to addressing industry needs, which may span multiple disciplines. To this end, SERC’s broad range of capabilities are in a unique position to develop new technologies in areas such as automotives, aerospace, energy, electronic healthcare and medical technology, nanotechnology, photonics, sensors and sensor networks.

Furthermore, from 2008, SERC research institutes and private sector laboratories are beginning to be housed at Fusionopolis. Their co-location will bring together complementary scientific expertise in various areas to establish integrated capabilities in physical sciences and engineering supported by shared facilities, incubation and a test-bedding infrastructure. It will also drive meaningful exchanges of information and spawn new innovations to tackle global technological challenges and create future industries.

Science & Technology Value Creation (STVC) 2015

The Science & Engineering Research Council (SERC) embarked on a technology scan process between 2008 and 2009. The Science & Technology Value Creation (STVC) 2015 is a consultative process which involved both local and international professionals and experts. The exercise included a global scan to identify relevant and strategic themes through the analysis of drivers and trends, which will guide SERC’s research direction moving forward. Some of the STVC reports are now available for download:

SERC's Positioning In Strategic Areas

Biorenewable Chemicals

This paper looks at the various technology options, global drivers and restraints, and assesses the role biorenewable chemicals could play in the renewal of Singapore’s chemical industry. It also proposes a research framework to position Singapore for an inevitable shift towards renewable feedstocks like biomass given the likely carbon and resource constrained future.

Cloud Computing

This paper reviews current trends in cloud computing, and discusses A*STAR’s position on R&D for cloud computing. It describes how A*STAR has been actively involved in grid & distributed computing during the past decade into the present, gradually building up Singapore’s base for cloud computing and obtaining essential capabilities to support cloud computing projects. Various proposed strategies for A*STAR are also discussed in this paper such as the engagement of industry partners in adopting cloud computing solutions, adopting partnerships with relevant public sector agencies such as IDA and EDB in assisting to implement cloud applications and increasing the development of technologies through focused R&D.

Microfluidics

This paper reviews current trends in microfluidics technology, highlights key microfluidic-related capabilities and activities in A*STAR and the local universities, and discusses SERC’s position in R&D for microfluidics. Going forward, A*STAR aims to exploit opportunities in the microfluidics’ space by harnessing our strengths in multi-disciplinary research across the biomedical, physical and engineering sciences in a synergistic manner to help nurture and grow the microfluidic industry in Singapore.

Last Updated on 3 October 2011