Ph.D (NUS), M.Eng.(NUS),
MASME, MASHRAE

Dept of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty of Engineering
Engineering Block E1, #07-09
9 Engineering Drive 1
Singapore 117576
Tel:(65) 6 516 -2558
Fax: (65) 6779-1459
mpeckje@nus.edu.sg

Curriculum Vitae

Other appointments

Faculty Associate
Engineering Science Programme

http://www.esp.nus.edu.sg

Selected Publications

Chou, S. K. and Chua, K. J. "On the Study of the drying behavior of a heat-sensitive biomaterial undergoing stepwise-varying temperature schemes". Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 42, 4939-4952 (2003).
 
Chua, K.J., Ho J.C., Chou S.K. and Islam M.R. “On the study of the temperature distribution within a human eye subjected to a laser source”. International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, 32, 1057-1065 (2005).

Chua, K.J., Chou, S.K., and Ho, J.C. “An analytical study on the thermal effects of cryosurgery on selective cell destruction”. Journal of Biomechanics, 40, 100-116 (2007).

Chou, S.K. Chua, K.J., Teoh, S.H., Lim, K.K. and Sun, W.Q. “Development of pressure swing adsorption dehydration system for preservation of dermal tissues”. Materials Science and Engineering: C, 27(2), 313-324 (2007).

Chua, K.J., Ho, J.C. and Chou, S.K. “A comparative study of different control strategies for indoor air humidity”. Energy and Buildings , 39(5), 537-545. (2007).

Chua, K.J., Chou, S.K. and Ho, J.C.” A model to study the effects of different control strategies on space humidity during part-load conditions”. Building and Environment , 43(12), 2074-2089 (2008).

Cryosurgery

In brief, cryosurgery is the application of extreme cold to destroy diseased tissue particularly tumours. By employing cryosurgery to freeze cancerous tissues, it is possible to: (i) destroy tumours residing deep in organs without major resection; (ii) destroy tumours without significant loss of blood; (iii) preserve more of the normal surrounding tissues; and (iv) combine cryosurgery with other treatment methods such as chemotherapy, surgical resection, radio-frequency therapy to significantly enhance the destruction of cancer cells. In addition, cryosurgery offers itself as a viable option for treating cancers that are considered inoperable or do not respond to standard treatments. The destruction of tissues by cryosurgical means involves a complex interplay between a number of different mechanisms of tissue damage. Recently, we have mapped out several directions for further studies. These include: (i) optimising treatment plans for multiprobe cryosurgery in order to realise effective freezing protocols; (ii) designing ‘smart’ miniaturized cryoprobes whereby the cooling parameters can be precisely controlled based on feedback of biological information such as maximum cell destruction rate, size and shape of the tumour; and (iii) designing of specially shaped cryoprobe tips to “cryo-sculpt” irregularly shaped tumours or tumours located on hard to reach regions. With the increasing death toll in Singapore related to cancer, this work has direct and immediate impact on effective tumour treatment. Key results from this research work will assist surgeons in dealing with present limitations of cryosurgery arising from cryo-ablating large and irregularly-shaped tumours.

Renewable Energy-Cogeneration/Trigeneration

This area of work focuses on clean energy technologies that evolve new hybrid tri-generation systems that produce cooling, heating and electrical power output. The potential for such hybrid systems is enormous, especially in the study of performance of combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants in a future carbon constrained world. The technologies and know-how will enable Singapore to establish a key position in the global energy marketplace. This is particularly relevant when Singapore is embarking on projects such as eco-cities and sustainable cities so as to gain a competitive advantage building on intellectual capital and skilled manpower.

Present project aims at novel hybridization of renewable energy technologies that generate heat and power will contribute in the design of hybrid co-generation or tri-generation systems. The specific objectives of this project include: (i) to study the various renewable energy options in order to produce highly energy efficient hybrid systems that meet the cooling, heating and power generating needs; (ii) to design cost-effective hybrid energy systems that are self-sustaining in delivering cooling, heating and power from a single integrated unit without any reliance on power-grid and equipped with the ability to feed back to the grid excess generated electricity; (iii) to significantly reduce the carbon emission quantity; and (iv) to optimise suitable hybrid systems based on the cooling load, constraints and requirements and to design the most efficient and cost-effective systems for implementation.

Energy Efficient Refrigeration Cycle with Ejector Compression and Waste Heat Recovery

This project seeks to develop an enhanced refrigeration cycle based on heat recovery and pressure lift in the compression stage assisted by a jet pump. The fundamentals of the system will be studied and modeled for computer simulation. Extensive experimental work will be carried out to determine the various heat ad mass transfer characteristics of the hybrid system and to optimize the cycle performance. Results of the study will help in the design and operation of energy-efficient heating and refrigerating plants driven by heat recovery and renewable energy.