As an avid craftsman, Mr Nicholas Tan, a 4th year PhD candidate at the National University of Singapore chose to pursue his passion in riveting world of microstructures in mechanical engineering. Microstructures are heavily integrated into many devices that are familiar to us all, from the sensors in automated lighting systems to the flashlight in our phones. These structures that enhance the ability of our devices passively can easily be taken for granted. As technology becomes smaller and smarter, the ability to design and fabricate these little complex and intricate structures becomes ever more necessary to advance society. Finding solutions to the challenges faced at the forefront of technology and bringing hope to unlocking the boundaries of manufacturing gives Nicholas immense satisfaction knowing that he may one day impact the lives of others too.

As A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (AGS) Scholar, he continues to push for Singapore’s technological development as a thriving manufacturing industry, leveraging A*STAR’s affiliations and multiple opportunities to travel to international conferences to meet with highly distinguished researchers and to experience interesting exchanges with like-minded researchers. These experiences allowed him to forge new friendships as well as to grow personally and professionally.