ICES is a national research institute focused on the application of the latest advances in science to the solution of real world problems. The challenges in providing clean water, energy, food and the materials society requires to thrive and to develop, in a sustainable way are global, but have special relevance to Singapore, an export driven economy at the heart of Asia, the most rapidly growing economic region in the world. Our teams of scientists and engineers are multi-national, drawn from leading academic institutions and industry from around the world. They work together supported by world leading infrastructure – advanced characterisation facilities, state-of-the-art kilo lab and laboratories - to solve problems from basic but mission oriented research, through to the early stages of development. Inventing compounds, materials, catalysts and developing sustainable processes to make them, with commercial potential. Our researchers are provided with a wide range of challenging topics – from fundamental science to applied development – and in the process, expanding career possibilities with ICES. Our outlook is global. Our work is driven by our passion for science backed up by our aim to make a real difference in a commercial environment and based on our core values of safety and research integrity.

Dr Keith CarpenterExecutive DirectorInstitute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences

ABOUT ICES

Under the processing theme we work in both traditional and emerging process technologies, with activities relevant to primary (API) and secondary (solid dose) processing. Underpinning these are our technical skills in chemistry, chemical engineering, analytics, crystallisation, formulation and others, which can be deployed fl exibly to address industrial problems ranging from the troubleshooting of existing processes to the development of new chemical routes and the evaluation of innovative manufacturing technologies. The products theme addresses formulation technologies and materials development such as the creation of co-crystals and microporous substrates to support controlled drug release and product life extension.

This programme develops capabilities for the pharmaceutical and associated industries through research, training and technology transfer. There are two main technical themes – processing and products.

Sustainable & Innovative Processes for Pharmaceuticals

The same capabilities being developed may also support a wider range of industry interests, such as antifouling applications, specialty coatings, lube additives and agrochemicals. Our unique value proposition lies in our ability to form teams to work across different length-scales, from the molecular level and the laboratory to the pilot scale. This is supported by wide-ranging capabilities from chemical synthesis, specialty polymer design, biorenewable conversion via heterogeneous catalysis, biotechnology, crystallisation and product formulation, advanced analytics, process modelling and development including Environmental, Health & Safety and Life Cycle Assessment to kilogramme-scale manufacturing.

This programme focuses on strengthening the capabilities necessary to develop key sub-clusters that form part of Singapore’s industry ecosystem. These sub-clusters include personal and consumer care, food & nutrition and oilfi eld chemicals.

Sustainable & Innovative Processes for Specialty Chemical Products

Our wide range of technical skills includes chemistry, chemical engineering, catalysis, polymer chemistry, biotechnology, molecular modeling, process modelling and development, among others. These skills can be integrated easily to address industrial needs in a multi-disciplinary approach to develop novel, more effi cient and innovative processes to produce bulk chemicals.

This programme hosts several Science & Engineering Research Council initiatives, such as the Value-added Chemicals from Lignocellulose (VACL) and the Biomass to Chemicals programmes. It is also involved in other programmes under the Council, including the A*STAR Capabilities for Automotive Research (A*CAR) and the A*STAR Aerospace Research Programme.

The current key themes of this research programme are alternative feedstocks; biomass-derived chemicals; C1 chemistry; value-added products from petrochemicals, and CO2 capture and utilisation.

Sustainable & Innovative Processes for Chemicals

The programme consists of a portfolio of projects which fall under two key developmental tracks:

Biomass-to-Chemicals

• RouteDevelopmentActivities Projectsfocusedonaddressingthederivationofspecific targets from biomass-derived feedstocks, such as acrylic acid, butadiene and adipic acid.

• CapabilityDevelopmentActivities Projects which seek to develop platform capabilities which are needed to support route development efforts.

In addition to funding critical core programmes, ICES is also spearheading several other external funded ‘AssociatedResearch’ programmes.Theseprogrammesaremeant to develop strongcapability and critical skills in new growth areas for the next phase of development in the chemicals industry in Singapore. Lasting over a period of three years or more, such programmes incorporate active industry participation in many cases.

• Biomass-to-Chemicals • ExperimentalPowerGridCentre • NoSmallOrganicCompounds(NoSOC) • OilfieldChemicals

ASSOCIATED RESEARCH PROGRAMMES

The global bio-renewable chemicals market has been growing steadily at a compounded annual growth rate of around 15% in a trend that is likely to accelerate with new bio-based chemicals, such as bio-ethylene. This inevitable shift for the traditional petrochemical industry to re-invent itself for a carbon-constrained future also offers a valuable economic opportunity for Singapore to renew its chemical industry and maintain its advantage as a leading chemical hub in the region.

TheBiomass-to-ChemicalsProgrammeisamulti-year,industry-aligned research programme that aims to develop technologies enabling the production of high-value chemicals from biomass or biomass-derived feedstock. Spanning across various institutes inA*STAR, the programme is spearheaded by ICES with theparticipationofIMRE,IHPC,GIS,BII,IBNandthep53Laboratory.

Increased penetration of distributed energy resources such as solar and wind has resulted in the need for solutions to counter the intermittency issues and ensure a grid that is reliable and robust. The need for better management of assets and reduce system down-time highlights the importance of research into intelligent electrical machines with the ability for self diagnosis and condition monitoring. These are some of the problems that EPGC is addressing bymaintaining key domain expertise in Power Systems and Power Electronics.

Coupled with advanced simulation capabilities and a unique experimental grid facility, EPGC provides a platform for industry to tap on, to locally developsolutions for a global market.

Experimental Power Grid Centre

The Experimental Power Grid Centre is a world-class facility specially mandatedto lead A*STAR’s efforts in developing new technologies for the intelligent anddecentralised power distribution, interconnection and utilisation. Opened on 1Nov2011,thefacilityissitedonJurongIsland,withthefollowingfeatures:

• Anexperimentalpowergrid thatcanoperate in islanded,grid-connectedorpower grid emulator connected mode.

• Powernetworkthatisabletoreconfiguretovarioustopologiessuchasradialorserial or loop.

• Testbaystoaccommodateadditionalexperimentalstations.

• Fuelinfrastructureforadditionofnovelenergysources.

• Powerelectronicslaboratoryfordevelopmentofhardwareprototypes.

• Real-timesimulatorwithhardware-in-loopcapabilities.

• Real-timemonitoringandcontrolofexperimentalpowergrid.

No Small Organic Compounds (NoSOC)Environmentally-Friendly Water-based Specialty Products

Small Organic Compounds (SOC) can cause short and longterm health effects on humans and can be damaging to the environment. The ever tightening environmental regulations and increased health awareness are driving the use and growth of water-based specialty products such as coatings and personal care products. No Small Organic Compounds (NoSOC) is an ICES-led A*STAR’sresearchprogrammewhichaimsatdevelopingwater-based NoSOCpersonalandconsumercareproducts(includingspecialtycoatings). OurvisionistoestablishSingaporeasacentreofexcellenceinsmart solutions to avoid NoSOC. A critical component in this development programme is thetraining and development of skill manpower for the industry through a series of workshops and seminars.

Specialty chemicals form a growth opportunity for Singapore, with oilfield chemicals fastemerging as a sub-cluster. There is a strong oil and gas ecosystem – comprising oil majors, oilfield services companies and oilfieldequipment companies – in Singapore today. Oilfield chemicals companies can tap into thisecosystem and form partnerships to develop holistic system-level solutions to serve their end-customers’needs.

Oilfield Chemicals

Buildinguptherelevantscientificcapabilitieswillencouragethese companies to further establish research and development activities in oilfield chemicals in Singapore.This move will complete the value-chain that ranges from marine and offshore companies to oil and gas service players and specialty chemical ingredient manufacturers.

Havingidentifiedoilfieldchemicalsasagrowtharea,ICEScontinues to support research and development through resources in manpower and facilities which include a dedicated laboratory for research in oilfield chemicals.

The research programme will tackle real-world challenges and will include the following subject areas:

• Understanding of product specifications for enhanced oil recovery and combination solutions.• Environmentallyacceptablesolutions.• Chemicalsynthesisandformulationdevelopment.• Downstream application development capabilities and facilities at high temperature, pressure, salinity and acidity.• Aqueouseffluentprocessing.

Formoreinformationonourassociatedresearchprogrammes,pleasecontact:enquiry@ices.a-star.edu.sg.

Our Capabilities

Crystallisation • Process Analytical Technology – Control and monitoring of habit, particle size distribution, and polymorphic form using inline attenuated total refl ectance – Fourier transformed infrared, Raman, focused beam refl ectance measurement and process vision measurement.

• Molecular simulation and modelling – Fundamental understanding of crystal nucleation and growth. – Effects of impurities on crystal habit and polymorph. – Tailored-made additives for crystal habit control.

• Pharmaceutical materials – Fundamental studies on polymorphism. – Novel co-crystal design and screening of co-crystal forming tendency.

• Crystallisation process development – Crystallisation control using process analytical technology with reduced calibration efforts. – Solution co-crystallisation process development and control. – Polymorphic crystallisation process development and control. – Submicron crystallisation via rapid mixing.

The Crystallisation and Particle Science Group at ICES develops and applies its fundamental understanding of crystallisation and formulation science to solve industrial and academic research and development problems. A major focus of the research is the application to pharmaceutical and fi ne chemical active ingredient manufacture and formulation, although the fundamental knowledge is a strong platform which can be applied to problem solving for any chemical system.

Crystallisation is an industrially important process because of its ability to provide high purity separations. It is often a critical step that determines the downstream processability and the fi nal product quality. Formulation Science is a multi-disciplinary area that focuses on tailoring physiochemical properties of constituent components to deliver products with the desired attributes and functions.

Crystallisation & Particle Science

Formulation Science • Process Analytical Technology – Monitoring and end-point detection in fl uidised bed granulation using acoustic emission, near-infrared, focused beam refl ectance measurement and process vision measurement.

• Novel formulation – Microemulsions for topical delivery. – Crystallisation double-emulsion for controlled delivery.

• Pharmaceutical materials – Stabilised amorphous forms to improve dissolution properties of active ingredients.

• Inhaled delivery – Particle formation using supercritical anti-solvent co-precipitation. – Co-milling to improve physical stability of formulated drug. – Stability of post-micronised pharmaceutical powder. – Novel techniques to characterise performance of inhaled formulation.

Our Patents

• Sugar-based surfactant microemulsions with essential oils for cosmetic and pharmaceutical use. WO 2009/029046 A1; JP2010537977; SG159310; EP2192887; US2013/0237613 A1. • Mesoporous material excipients for poorly aqueous soluble ingredients. • WO 2010/050897; SG170977; US2011/0244002 A1. • Nanostructured Material Formulated with Bone Cement for Effective Antibiotic Delivery. • WO 2011/068481; US 20120308633-A1.

Our Selected Publications

• Aitipamula, S.; Wong, A. B. H.; Chow, P. S.; Tan, R. B. H., Novel solid forms of the anti-tuberculosis drug, Isoniazid : ternary and polymorphic cocrystals. CrystEngComm 2013, 15 (29), 5877-5887.

• Shen, S. C.; Ng, W. K.; Chia, L. S. O.; Dong, Y. C.; Tan, R. B. H., Applications of mesoporous materials as excipients for innovative drug delivery and formulation. Current Pharmaceutical Design 2013, 19 (35), 6270-6289.

• Lee, S. H.; Teo, J.; Heng, D.; Ng, W. K.; Chan, H. K.; Tan, R. B. H., Synergistic combination dry powders for inhaled antimicrobial therapy : formulation, characterisation and in vitro evaluation. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics 2013, 83 (2), 275–284.

• Kwek, J. W.; Lim, M. W.; Shen, S. C.; Ng, W. K.; Tan, R. B. H., A pilot scale study on the fl uidised bed binderless granulation of a humidifi ed type C hygroscopic pharmaceutical material. Powder Technology 2012, 219, 65-71.

• Hu, J.; Ng, W. K.; Dong, Y. C.; Shen, S. C.; Tan, R. B. H., Continuous and scalable process for water-redispersible nanoformulation of poorly aqueous soluble APIs by antisolvent precipitation and spray-drying. International Journal of Pharmaceutics 2011, 404 (1-2), 198-204.

• Poornachary, S. K.; Lau, G.; Chow, P. S.; Tan, R. B. H.; George, N., The effect and counter-effect of impurities on crystallisation of an agrochemical active ingredient: Stereochemical rationalisation and nanoscale crystal growth visualisation. Crystal Growth & Design 2011, 11 (2), 492-500.

• Yu, Z. Q.; Chow, P. S.; Tan, R. B. H.; Ang, W. H., Supersaturation control in cooling polymorphic Co-Crystallisation of caffeine and glutaric acid. Crystal Growth & Design 2011, 11 (10), 4525-4532.

• Xie, S. Y.; Poornachary, S. K.; Chow, P. S.; Tan, R. B. H., Direct precipitation of micron-size salbutamol sulfate: new insights into the action of surfactants and polymeric additives. Crystal Growth & Design 2010, 10 (8), 3363-3371.

Our Capabilities

We have about 40 highly skilled researchers holding Bachelors, Masters and PhDs in a variety of disciplines, including Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering and related disciplines, providing us a wide range of skills and capabilities to tackle any topic in catalysis research.

Our state-of-the-art facilities allow us to perform cutting-edge catalysis research. Our X-ray Absorption Facility for Catalysis Research at the Singapore Synchrotron Light Source, the fi rst-of-its-kind research facility in South-east Asia, enables us to perform advanced catalyst characterisation under working conditions to get a deeper understanding of the nature of the active catalytic sites during the catalytic process. This level of understanding is crucial to developing novel and improved catalytic materials.

Our outstanding catalytic testing facilities consist of a variety of reactors, which allow us to perform catalytic tests under relevant industrial conditions to obtain detailed kinetic data and to conduct life-tests.

The ICES Heterogeneous Catalysis Division is the leading centre for catalysis research in Singapore. Heterogeneous catalysts are critical components of chemical and petrochemical industries, with about 90% of all chemical processes relying on them.

Through industrial collaborations and capability development, the Division focuses on the development of novel catalysts and processes relevant to the chemical and petrochemical industry. Our research activities are mainly focused on Sustainability and Alternative Feedstock.

Heterogeneous Catalysis

Our Patents

• Kanaparthi Ramesh and Armando Borgna, “Modifi ed Catalyst Composition for Conversion of Alcohol to Alkene”, Singapore Patent P-N0. 159123 - WO/2009/022990, Patent granted: March 31, 2011 (Publication Date: Feb. 19, 2009).

• Yan Liu and Nishimura, Toru, “Catalyst Preparation and Methods of Using such Catalysts”, Patent – WO/2009/091336 A1, Patent granted: August 15, 2011 (Publication Date: July 23, 2009).

• Armando Borgna, Chuandayani Gunawan Gwie, Silvia Dewiyanti, and Jeyagowry Thirugnanasampanthar, “Process for removing Sulfur from Fuels”, US 8,016,999, Patent granted: September 13, 2011 (Publication Date: Feb. 4, 2010).

Selected Publications

• Chen, L. W.; Choong, C. K. S.; Zhong, Z. Y.; Huang, L.; Ang, T. P.; Hong, L.; Lin, J. Y., Carbon monoxide-free hydrogen production via low-temperature steam reforming of ethanol over iron-promoted Rh catalyst. Journal Of Catalysis 2010, 276 (2), 197-200.

• Tan, K. F.; Xu, J.; Chang, J.; Borgna, A.; Saeys, M., Carbon deposition on Co catalysts during Fischer-Tropsch synthesis: a computational and experimental study. Journal Of Catalysis 2010, 274 (2), 121-129.

• Bu, J.; Loh, G.; Gwie, C. G.; Dewiyanti, S.; Tasrif, M.; Borgna, A., Desulfurisation of diesel fuels by selective adsorption on activated carbons: Competitive adsorption of polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Chemical Engineering Journal 2011, 166 (1), 207-217.

• Tan, K. F.; Chang, J.; Borgna, A.; Saeys, M., Effect of boron promotion on the stability of cobalt Fischer-Tropsch catalysts. Journal Of Catalysis 2011, 280 (1), 50-59.

• Wang, Q.; Tay, H. H.; Zhong, Z. Y.; Luo, J. Z.; Borgna, A., Synthesis of high-temperature CO2 adsorbents from organo- layered double hydroxides with markedly improved CO2 capture capacity. Energy & Environmental Science 2012, 5 (6), 7526-7530.

• Li, X.; Fang, S. S. S.; Teo, J.; Foo, Y. L.; Borgna, A.; Lin, M.; Zhong, Z. Y., Activation and deactivation of Au–Cu/SBA-15 catalyst for preferential oxidation of CO in H2-rich gas. ACS Catalysis 2012, 2 (3), 360-369.

Our Capabilities

Microorganism Screening• Develop capabilities in screening of natural micro-organisms for use in industrial applications.

Microbial Cell Factory• We develop metabolic engineering systems and whole cell evolution to construct microbial cell factories for chemical conversions.

Enzyme Improvement• We improve enzymes by site-directed mutagenesis, directed evolution and enzyme engineering.

Fermentation and Enzymatic Processes• We research into fermentation and enzymatic processes to improve cost effi ciencies as alternative routes to existing processes.

Our Patents

• Methods for improving biogas production in the presence of hard substrates, Singapore patent, granted on 15 October 2012.

• Microbial preparation of enantiopure ethyl 3,4-epoxybutyrate, Singapore patent, granted on 14 January 2011.

The Industrial Biotechnology Division at ICES focuses on converting renewable resources to value-added chemicals using enzymes and microorganisms as catalysts. We also work on developing commercially competitive biocatalytic processes for fossil-fuel-based industries.

Industrial Biotechnology

Selected Publications

• Lim, C. Y.; Lin, L. H. A.; Tear, J. Y. C.; Balagurunathan, B.; Wu, J. C.; Zhao, H., Size of gene specifi c inverted repeat : dependent gene deletion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. PLOS ONE 2013, 8 (8), e72137.

• Ye, L. D.; Zhao, H.; Li, Z.; Wu, J. C., Signifi cantly improved acid tolerance of Lactobacillus pentosus by error-prone wholegenome amplifi cation. Bioresource Technology 2013, 135, 459-463.

• Ye, L. D.; Zhou, X. D.; Hudari, M. S. B.; Li, Z.; Wu, J. C., Highly effi cient production of l-lactic acid from xylose by newly isolated Bacillus coagulans C106. Bioresource Technology 2013, 132, 38-44.

• Ye, L. D.; Zhou, X. D.; Hudari, M. S. B.; Zhang, D. X.; Wu, J. C., Effi cient conversion of acid hydrolysate of oil palm empty fruit bunch to L-lactic acid by newly isolated Bacillus coagulans KL12. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 2013, 97, 4831-4838.

• Zhou, X. D.; Ye, L. D.; Wu, J. C., Effi cient production of l-lactic acid by newly isolated thermophilic Bacillus coagulans WCP10-4 with high glucose tolerance. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 2013, 97 (10), 4309-4314.

• Talukder, M. M. R.; Lee, H. Z. S.; Low, R. F.; Chua, L. P. L.; Warzecha, D.; Wu, J. C., Potential use of whole cell lipase from a newly isolated Aspergillus nomius for methanolysis of palm oil to biodiesel. Journal of Molecular Catalysis B: Enzymatic 2013, 89, 108-113.

• Chow, Y. Y. S.; Goh, S. J. M.; Su, Z. H.; Ng, D. H. P.; Lim, C. Y.; Lim, N. Y. N.; Lin, H. X.; Fang, L.; Lee, Y. K., Continual production of glycerol from carbon dioxide by Dunaliella tertiolecta. Bioresource Technology 2013, 136, 550–555.

• Zhang, D. X.; Ong, Y. L.; Li, Z.; Wu, J. C., Biological detoxifi cation of furfural and 5-hydroxyl methyl furfural in hydrolysate of oil palm empty fruit bunch by Enterobacter sp. FDS8. Biochemical Engineering Journal 2013, 72, 77-82.

• Puah, S. M.; Huynh, H. V.; Wu, J. C., Novel two-in-one bioreactor greatly improves lactic acid production from xylose by Lactobacillus pentosus. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology 2013, 88 (4), 594-598.

• Juturu, V.; Wu, J. C., Microbial xylanases : engineering, production and industrial applications. Biotechnology Advances 2012, 30 (6), 1219-1227.

• Talukder, M. M. R.; Das, P.; Wu, J. C., Microalgae (Nannochloropsis salina) biomass to lactic acid and lipid. Biochemical Engineering Journal 2012, 68, 109-113.

• Lin, L. H. A.; Gerken, H.; Tan, L.; Wu, J. C.; Zhao, H., Alcohol tolerance of Escherichia coli acrR and marR regulatory mutants. Journal of Molecular Catalysis B: Enzymatic 2012, 76, 89-93.

• Zhang, D. X.; Ong, Y. L.; Li, Z.; Wu, J. C., Optimisation of dilute acid-catalysed hydrolysis of oil palm empty fruit bunch for high yield production of xylose. Chemical Engineering Journal 2012, 181-182, 636-642.

Our Capabilities

Synthesis of Functional Molecules• De novo natural product synthesis. • Modifi cation and optimisation of small molecules. • Peptides.

Process Chemistry Research• Route design identifi cation.• Route evaluation and selection.• Route optimisation.

Homogenous Catalysis• Fluorination.• Amide bond formation.• Bond activation in synthesis.

Our Patents

• Pharmaceutical-based, low MW amides as environmentally benign biocidal additives in marine antifouling coatings. US patent application number: 12/992,044 (patent pending).

The Organic Chemistry programme is housed in two world class synthetic chemistry labs – both located in Biopolis. Both have state-of-the art analytical and characterisation facilities catering to a wide spectrum of capabilities for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry.

Research is carried out mainly by synthetic organic chemists in 3 major focus areas:• Developing new functional molecules.• Synthesising and evaluating new chemical methods.• Application to route selection and process development.

Organic Chemistry

Selected Publications

• Thomas, G. L.; Johannes, C. W., Natural product-like synthetic libraries. Current Opinion in Chemical Biology 2011, 15 (4), 516-522.

• Peixoto, P. A.; Richard, J. A.; Severin, R.; Chen, D. Y. K., Total synthesis of echinopines A and B: exploiting a bioinspired late-stage intramolecular cyclopropanation. Organic Letters 2011, 13 (21), 5724-5727.

• Osato, H.; Jones, I. L.; Goh, H. N.; Chai, C. L. L.; Chen, A. Q., Expeditious access to (−)-shikimic acid derivatives for Tamifl u synthesis. Tetrahedron Letters 2011, 52 (48), 6352-6354.

• Dang, T. T.; Zhu, Y. H.; Ghosh, S. C.; Chen, A. Q.; Chai, C. L. L.; Seayad, A. M., Atmospheric pressure aminocarbonylation of aryl iodides using palladium nanoparticles supported on MOF-5. Chemical Communications 2012, 48 (12), 1805-1807.

• Ghosh, S. C.; Ngiam, J. S. Y.; Chai, C. L. L.; Seayad, A. M.; Dang, T. T.; Chen, A. Q., Iron-catalysed effi cient synthesis of amides from aldehydes and amine hydrochloride salts. Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis 2012, 354 (8), 1407-1412.

• Chen, D. Y. K.; Pouwer, R. H.; Richard, J. A., Recent advances in the total synthesis of cyclopropane-containing natural products. Chemical Society Reviews 2012, 41 (13), 4631-4642.

• Ghosh, S. C.; Ngiam, J. S. Y.; Seayad, A. M.; Tuan, D. T.; Chai, C. L. L.; Chen, A. Q., Copper-catalysed oxidative amidation of aldehydes with amine salts : synthesis of primary, secondary, and tertiary amides. Journal of Organic Chemistry 2012, 77 (18), 8007−8015.

• Dang, T. T.; Zhu, Y. H.; Ngiam, J. S. Y.; Ghosh, S. C.; Chen, A. Q.; Seayad, A. M., Palladium nanoparticles supported on ZIF-8 as an effi cient heterogeneous catalyst for aminocarbonylation. ACS Catalysis 2013, 3, 1406-1410.

Polymer Engineering and CatalysisThe Polymer Engineering and Catalysis Group at ICES focuses on cost-effective routes to existing and new polymer molecules for applications in consumer care, personal care, specialty coatings and high tech applications. At the same time, efforts to upscale polymerisation processes and product formulation serve as important steps towards fi nal products. We also build on our expertise in homogenous catalysis which is focused especially on the conversion of sustainable feedstock.

Our Capabilities

Polymer Design• Radical polymerisation, ionic, Ziegler-natta, metallocene and ring- opening polymerisation mechanisms to design and synthesise polymer molecules and polymer particles.

• Solution, suspension and emulsion polymerisation with a strong emphasis on water-based techniques like emulsion and mini emulsion polymerisation for particle morphology.

• Controlled particle morphology in order to obtain core-shell structure or change nanocapsules for the controlled release of actives.

• Use of renewable resources in polymer synthesis.

Polymer Reaction Engineering• Controlled addition of monomers. • Upscaling of polymerisation processes and product formulation.• Support for the complete chain towards a fi nal polymer product.

Homogeneous Catalysis• Development of homogeneous catalysts and processes for the atom effi cient and economical synthesis of monomers and specialty chemicals.

• Conversion of sustainable feedstock such as lignocellulose, carbohydrates, vegetable oils and lignin.

Our Patents

• Thermoplastic elastomers containing dispersed hard polylactic acid sterocomplex domains in a soft continuous poly (alkyl acrylate) matrix (Ref No: 61/324,112).

• Synthesis of Diacids WO 2012/134397 A1.

• Unimolecular ligand initiator dual functional systems (UMLIDFS) and use thereof WO/2011/040881.

Selected Publications

• Jana, S.; Vasantha, V. A.; Stubbs, L. P.; Parthiban, A.; Vancso, J. G., Vinylimidazole-based asymmetric ion pair comonomers : synthesis, polymerisation studies and formation of ionically crosslinked PMMA. Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry 2013, 51 (15), 3260-3273.

• Prasad, A. V.; Oh, B. Y. A.; Woo, Y. L.; Stubbs, L. P.; Zhu, Y. H., Synthesis and new application of green and recyclable cyclic poly(L-lactide)-clay hybrid. Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry 2013, 51 (19), 4167-4174. • Ye, S. M.; Lin, T. T.; Tjiu, W. W.; Wong, P. K.; He, C. B., Rubber toughening of poly(lactic acid) : effect of stereocomplex formation at the rubber-matrix interface. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 2013, 128 (4), 2541-2547.

• Jana, S.; Parthiban, A.; Choo, F. M., Unimolecular ligand-initiator dual functional systems (ULIS) for low copper ATRP of vinyl monomers including acrylic/methacrylic acids. Chemical Communications 2012, 48 (35), 4256-4258.

• He, T.; Di Lena, F.; Neo, K. C.; Chai, C. L. L., Direct synthesis of pH-responsive polymer nanoparticles based on living radical polymerisation and traditional radical polymerisation. Soft Matter 2011, 7 (7), 3358-3365.

• Li, Y. N.; Sonar, P.; Singh, S. P.; Soh, M. S.; van Meurs, M.; Tan, J., Annealing-free high-mobility diketopyrrolopyrrole - quaterthiophene copolymer for solution-processed organic thin fi lm transistors. Journal Of The American Chemical Society 2011, 133 (7), 2198-2204.

Process Science and ModellingThe ICES Process Science and Modelling Group is the leading centre for chemical process-related research in Singapore and the region. Our team of about 50 chemical engineers, chemists and other disciplines has specialist expertise and a wide range of skills to solve problems from the mundane to the highly complex.

Our Capabilities

Process Chemistry• We complement our skills in process chemistry, design, scale up, modelling, process analytics, economic evaluation and optimisation with high-quality expertise in safety and environmental impact assessment.

• We have experience in both bulk chemicals and high-value chemicals (fi ne chemicals and pharmaceuticals), collaborating with the industry on a range of projects. These include areas of biomass conversion scale-up, pharmaceutical manufacturing process improvement, pilot or trial manufacture of materials and much more.

Chemometrics and Analysis• Our proprietary BTEM® algorithm gives us access to analytical insights in complex systems not available by any other method. This allows us to analyse the elucidation of previously unknown reaction mechanisms and to authenticate antiquities.

• We continue to make breakthroughs through developing novel measurement techniques as well sharper chemometric algorithms for high-value applications.

Process Research• We work on leading-edge producing technologies, including new and enabling techniques that will be important to a sustainable future.

• Our projects range from a patented process for carbon capture by mineralisation through to continuous manufacture of high value chemicals.

Our Patents

• Bu Jie, Bai Peng, Paul Sharratt, “Carbon Dioxide Capture with Regeneration of Salt”. WO/2012/050530 (2012).

• Armando Borgna, Bu Jie, Gabriel Loh, Chuandayani Gunawan Gwie and Silvia Dewiyanti, “Removal of Sulfur from fuels”, CN 102241999 A (2011).

Selected Publications

• Khoo, H. H.; Sharratt, P. N.; Bu, J.; Yeo, T. Y.; Borgna, A.; Highfi eld, J. G.; Björklöf, T. G.; Zevenhoven, R., Carbon capture and mineralisation in Singapore: preliminary environmental impacts and costs via LCA. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 2011, 50 (19), 11350-11357.

• Balagurunathan, B.; Jonnalagadda, S.; Tan, L.; Srinivasan, R., Reconstruction and analysis of a genome-scale metabolic model for Scheffersomyces stipitis. Microbial Cell Factories 2012, 11 (1), 27.

• Garland, M.; Li, C. Z.; Guo, L. F., Four criteria for evaluating pure component spectral estimates and the subsequent identifi cation of intermediates in homogeneous catalysis. ACS Catalysis 2012, 2 (11), 2327-2334.

• Loh, G.; Tanigawara, R.; Shaik, S. M.; Sa-ei, K.; Wong, L.; Sharratt, P. N., Manufacture of a β-hydroxyester via a continuous reformatsky process. Organic Process Research Development 2012, 16 (5), 958–966.

Collaborations with Industry Partners

ICES undertakes about 30 project collaborations annually and these last from between 6 months to 2 years per project. Such collaborations typically arise from specifi c problem statements from our partners as well as a result of joint workshops and roundtable discussions with partners and are targeted in the specifi c end deliverables. Our industry partnerships take various forms – consortia, one-on-one, as well as value-chain alliance groups. Many of our collaborators have been working with ICES on more than one project over the past years – endorsing that such deep partnerships with ICES certainly adds value to both parties.

In addition, ICES has championed the Lab-in-RI scheme where the companies could use our state-of the art labs for a period of up to 24 months for their R&D whilst evaluating long term options. This scheme will be particularly helpful for companies new to the Singapore R&D landscape. ICES has been spearheading this effort with about 10 companies in recent years.

As a leading research institute in the chemicals and chemical engineering cluster, ICES continues to forge new and deepen existing partnerships with the private and public sector.

We continue to support growth in the chemicals cluster through R&D collaboration, Lab-in-RI scheme, technology transfer/ advisory services and state-of-the-art analytical services. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) also benefi t from working with ICES through the Technology Adoption Programme (TAP) which offers a myriad of technology assistance schemes including staff attachments, technology road mapping and others.

Industry Collaborations

Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (ICES)

Email: enquiry@ices.a-star.edu.sgGeneral Line: (65) 6796-3700

Fax: (65) 6873-4805

CONTACT US:

Quotes from Our Industry Partners

“This agreement with ICES is perfectly aligned with GSK’s strategic priority of growing a diversifi ed global business, whilst bringing affordable, quality GSK medicines of value to more people who need them. Within GSK’s portfolio of off-patent products, evidence based formulations (EBFs) are an important part of our growth strategy, and our hope

is that together with ICES we will create a sustainable, scalable model to meet both specifi c market conditions and patient requirements.”

Duncan McKayVice President

Emerging Markets & Asia Pacifi c R&D GlaxoSmithKline

“The ICES staff has brought valuable knowledge and expert skills to Admaterials resulting in the ability of our company to raise our operational effi ciencies to a higher

level through the adoption of new technologies. We have witnessed signifi cant improvements in the way we work, thanks largely to the knowledge transfer that he has

brought to our company. We look forward to having more collaborative possibilities with ICES and A*STAR through programmes like T-Up in the near future.”

Lu Jin Ping

Executive DirectorAdmaterials Technologies Pte. Ltd.

“We are pleased to start our partnership with one of the world-class scientifi c research organisations such as A*STAR. We believe that this collaboration will bring a vast

potential to us in the fi eld of the energy and environment related business. Mitsubishi Chemicals Corporation will continue to explore new opportunities for

our research and development with A*STAR and we are very confi dent thatour efforts will create the new mutual benefi ts.”

Hideyuki FujiwaraAssociate Director, Chief Operating Offi cer

Petrochemicals Planning Division Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

“We are truly happy to start a collaborative research programme with ICES, a leading research institute in the chemical engineering fi eld. We, IHI, have much experience in catalytic research and application for the denitrifi cation and desulfurisation process.

I am confi dent that this collaboration with ICES will deliver new insight into the catalytic technology which will propel a new era of growth in the areas of

developing cutting-edge approaches for green energy and fuels.”

Yoshio Kusaba Associate Director & Deputy General Manager

of IHI Corporate Research & Development IHI Corporation

The ICES Advanced Chemical Characterisation Facility caters to the specialised needs of the industry by:

Customised Innovative Services

The objective of the facility is to provide custom-designed analytical test services to address real world challenges in the industry. Our well-trained and experienced staff are able to offer you experimental designs, in-situ kinematic monitoring, failure analysis & process validation.

Through this facility, you can also tap on a pool of experts for interpretation of the data collected. This allows you to gain the best understanding of the results of the analysis. With this combination of state of the art equipment and in-house expertise, we are your ideal partner when it comes to characterisation, product development and process diagnosis.

ICES is driven by our mission to support the present and future needs of Singapore’s chemical, pharmaceutical and specialties industries. To meet these needs, we have developed a strong and deep scientifi c body of physico-chemical expertise in the fi eld of material and compound characterisation – supported by a comprehensive range of advanced characterisation equipment.

Resources

Our Capabilities

• Accurate mass analysis of compounds using high resolution mass spectrometry, electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry, time of fl ight mass spectrometer.

• Surface absorption characterisation and dynamic behavior study.

• Surface contamination analysis using state of the art equipment.

• Advanced polyolefi n characterisation of absolute molecular weight by Gel Permeation Chromatograph (High Temp), co-monomer composition determination and short chain branching distribution analysis.

• In-situ & kinematic reaction monitoring.

• Failure analysis consultancy service to determine process contamination, off specifi cation, product failure and quality non-compliance.

• Analytical method development for special product monitoring.

• Special equipment training customised and tailored for individuals or corporations that incorporates fi rst principles, data interpretation, structural elucidation, quantitative analysis, method establishment and hands on usage of equipment.