Building intelligent infrastructure: Prof Yeong Wai Yee

“I first became interested in 3D printing when I was an undergraduate. I decided to do my PhD in the 3D printing of scaffolds for tissue engineering, a topic which marries two of my favourite subjects – 3D printing and medical technology.”

Prof Yeong Wai Yee has come a long way. The 3D printing enthusiast has forged new paradigms in bioprinting and is now the Chair of NTU’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), where she leads revolutionary research initiatives in areas such as advanced manufacturing, aerospace, engineering and robotics.

Before becoming Chair of MAE, Prof Yeong was the programme director of the aerospace and defence research pillars of the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing (SC3DP), a research centre in MAE that advances the science and technology of 3D printing.

SC3DP and MAE are at the forefront of using these technologies to develop solutions for smart and sustainable cities. For instance, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster at SC3DP collaborated with local drone services provider Flare Dynamics to enable printing of the electronic circuit on the protective cage enclosure of drones. This innovation eliminates the use of wires to power the sensor system of drones, reducing their weight and facilitating their maintenance.

One notable research focus at MAE is on electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The school has partnered with intelligent power management company Eaton to develop innovative eVTOL solutions for sustainable air travel.

Other 3D printing innovations developed at SC3DP and MAE include 3D printable cement made from industrial by products and a 3D-printed bathroom. MAE is also home to inventions such as a paint that keeps buildings cool, a fungi-based biomaterial that resembles elephant skin and a technique that converts paper waste into a vital component in lithium-ion batteries.

Prof Yeong was part of the team that secured funding to set up the HP-NTU Digital Manufacturing Corporate Lab – a collaboration between NTU, HP Inc. and the National Research Foundation, Singapore. Currently, she is the programme director of the 3D printing research domain at the lab, which supports Singapore’s push towards industry transformation in the areas of digital manufacturing and 3D printing technologies.

For her contributions to 3D printing, Prof Yeong was honoured with the first TCT Women in 3D Printing Innovator Award in 2019. The accolade celebrates female pioneers in 3D printing and additive manufacturing.

In 2021, the Singapore Computer Society in partnership with SG Women in Tech and the Infocomm Media Development Authority in Singapore named Prof Yeong as one of the Singapore 100 Women in Tech honourees. The list features inspiring women who have contributed to Singapore’s tech industry. Three years later, she was recognised with the Top 50 Asia Women Tech Leaders award.

Prof Yeong has also served as a reviewer for the Advanced Grants awarded by the European Research Council. 

“The applications of 3D printing are limitless and the technology enables endless creativity in design. My curiosity to explore the potential of 3D printing keeps me motivated in my research,” says Prof Yeong.

The article appeared first in NTU's research & innovation magazine Pushing Frontiers (issue #24, October 2024).