Biography

Darren obtained his PhD degree in Chemical Engineering from The University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia in 1993. His recent research interests include (1) environmental applications and implication of nanomaterials, (2) membrane separation for desalination, water reclamation and water quality control, (3) engineered hybrid multifunctional membrane for sustainable production of water and energy, (4) Sustainable environmental development. Recently he is heavily engaged in the study of novel nanostructred multifunctional membrane technologies for water reclamation and energy harvesting including hybrid membrane bioreactor (MBR), membrane coagulation, nanofiber forward osmosis membrane, TiO2 based nano-structured/fiber/tube materials development for membrane fouling control and energy production such as hydrogen and solar cells. Darren is the Chair for International Water Associate (IWA) Specialist Group on Chemical Industries, Deputy Chair for IWA Nano and Water Specialist group, and Editors for Water Science and Technology and etc. He is the conference Chair who organised the event of IWA Industrial Water Conference since 2001.

Since joined NTU at the beginning of 1997, particularly the engagement with CEE from October 1998, He started the setting up programs on membrane water and energy research, reutilization of industrial waste into value added product, development of various new teaching courses for both undergraduate and graduate students and undergrad student lab practice manual as well as international collaborations. With the strong support from various funding agencies, he has established a very active membrane water research group in NTU providing alternative and novel solutions to meet our national water strategy needs. 

Darren has published more than 200 scientific publications. His strong track record in journal, book chapters, patents, both academic and industrial services, and international activities have built up his reputation in the field of membrane water and energy technology. Recently, Darren together with his students have been actively involved in the development of 3D TiO2 nano-structured photocatalyst and 1D flexible TiO2 nanofiber/tube/wire membrane for clean water and energy production. Five patents in this field have been filled between 2006 to July 2008.  The TiO2 nanofiber research was highlighted in the October 2006 issue of Nature. The “spider web” TiO2 nanofiber membranes is a breakthrough research in the membrane field and give rise to various applications particularly in producing cost effective commercial filtration membrane that could dramatically reduce the cost of water and energy production. Darren’s group is currently leading the development of flexible TiO2 nanofiber/tube/wire membranes which have multifunctional properties. It will become the next generation membrane which could not only change the current membrane water industries including membrane distillation but also it could provide new source of hydrogen and solar cell; a bright future for clean energy industries. Recently, another breakthrough research is achieved by Darren’s group. This technology named “super low energy drinking water using nano-composite forward osmosis (FO) membrane” is ground breakthrough and able to produce drinking water from seawater and wastewater with much lower energy requirements. This breakthrough will further rise up Darren group’s reputation in the membrane technology field by holding the first new generation home-grown membrane technology in the world. Four patents in the field of forward osmosis have been filled from Nov 2010 to Oct 2011. 

The successful development of the mimic NEWater, MBR and membrane anti-fouling system for water reclamation for the past 17 years in CEE, NTU are another examples which have build up a good reputation not only for Darren’s group but also for NTU as well. These technologies developed which have been patented have received large funding support to demonstrate the technology at the pilot scale by the Prime Minister's Office and EWI-NRF.

During the past 14 years, Darren has been successfully attracted research funding from various organizations in total more than $20,100,000 millions. For example, working with PUB, Singapore National Water Agency, Darren’s research group has received funding of $1.032M in May 2006 from the Prime Minister's Office (The Enterprise Challenge Award) and $1M from PUB (overall Total Trial Cost at $2.032M) to build up a pilot plant for demonstrating the nanostructured microsphere photocatalyst for membrane fouling control and water quality improvement at one of PUB’s waterworks. In recognizing his significantly research contribution in applying nanotechnology in water treatment, he has received IWA Innovation Award 2008 from International Water Association (June 2008), Prestigious Engineering Achievement Award 2008 from Institute of Engineering Singapore (Sept 2008) and Nanyang Award for Innovation and Research 2009 from NTU (Feb 2010) for excellence in the fabrication of flexible TiO2 nanofiber/tube/wire membrane.

Darren is the recognized technical advisor for Singapore’s NEWater and heavily involved in technical support for Singapore’s water reclamation programme. Apart from basic research, he is a hands-on water treatment expert. He has been appointed by CPG/PUB as a technical team leader to provide design, assessment and advice to the PUB and Ministry of Environment and Water Resources for the national project---Kranji NEWater Factory, one of largest membrane based NEWater factories in the world. Another project with Natsteel not only received funding of $1.03M, but the research project has also generated value added product which is already commercialized.

Darren was the recipients of the (1) IWA Innovation Award 2008 from International Water Association (June 2008), (2) Prestigious Engineering Achievement Award 2008 from Institute of Engineering Singapore (Sept 2008) for excellence in pilot scale water research using hybrid nanostractured TiO2 microsphere and membrane system, (3) Nanyang Award for Innovation and Research 2009 from Nanyang Technological University (Feb 2010) for excellence in fabrication of flexible TiO2 nanofiber/tube/wire membrane, (4) Distinguished Award 2011 from Singapore Accreditation Council (June 2011) which recognised his significant contributions to the public sectors in Singapore, (5) President Award from Tokyo University of Science 2013, (6) a Shimizu Visiting Professor Award at Environmental Engineering and Science Program, Stanford University, USA, especially his presentation at USA National Academy of Science Washington DC ,on TiO2 multifunctional membranes made by 3D printer, hosted by Dr E William Colglazier, the Science and Technology Advisor to the Secretary of State on 19 Dec 2013, which recognise the extraordinary individuals within the community of water professionals and Internationally, Darren has been engaged as an environmental expert by the United Nation Environmental Programme (UNEP) to visit North Korea in 2011.

In recognizing his excellence in teaching, he has been appointed as a Lien Ying Chow Legacy Fellowship. He has also been appointed by the Provost of NTU as a Renaissance Engineering Programme (REP) Fellow to teach the elite students (top 2% of the entire cohort). Apart from these, he is heavily involved in teaching and training the students from NTU’s China Mayer Programme which is aiming to shape the uprising Chinese officials to be the future leaders.

Darren is also very active in international collaborations. He is collaborating with Stanford University, Yale University and UNSW and also industrial partners such as Bayer, Keppel, Sembcorp, Veolia, Hyflux, ST Kinetics, Suez and HV etc. As an example, he has been heavily involved in joint-supervision PhD program with James O’Leckie from Stanford University for various water and energy research projects. He has been appointed as national and international committee members, international conference organiser and external examiner.  He has also been invited to conduct keynote speeches, short courses and public seminars in various countries.  He is also a SINGLAS assessor for environment test. He is also the principle founders for NEWEarth Pte Ltd, solid waste recycle and reuse company and Nano-Sun Pte Ltd, which a newly established spin-off company which aims to produce flexable multifunctional TiO2 nanofiber membrane using 3D printing process.