Accelerating drive towards cashless society in Singapore – A snapshot of recent initiatives

Above image: PM Lee Hsien Loong delivering the National Day Rally speech on 20 August 2017 at the Institute of Technical Education College Central/ Credit: Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore

In this year’s National Day Rally Speech in Singapore, one of the key themes of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s speech was the ongoing Smart Nation initiative. Within Smart Nation, achieving a cashless economy is one of the current focus areas.

PM Lee spoke about how China has gone the furthest with e-payments, so much so that even roadside hawkers are accepting mobile payments.

He said, “Indeed, in major Chinese cities, cash has become obsolete. Even debit and credit cards are becoming rare. Everyone is using WeChat Pay or AliPay and these apps are linked to your bank account. To pay someone money, just pick up the phone, scan his QR Code. And you can use these apps for nearly all payments.”

But in Singapore 6 in 10 transactions are still cash or cheques. The PM said that though there are e-payments available, there are too many different schemes and systems that do not talk to one another. People have to carry multiple cards, and businesses have to install multiple readers, which is inconvenient for consumers and costly for businesses. So, the systems must be simplified and integrated.

Here, OpenGov looks at the multiple related initiatives launched in Singapore over the past few months, as the city-state goes into overdrive to realise the vision of a cashless economy.

Payments Council

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced the establishment of a Payments Council, comprising 20 leaders from banks, payment service providers, businesses, and trade associations. The Payments Council aims to formally bring together both the providers and users of payment services in Singapore. It is expected to encourage collaboration within the payments industry, promote interoperability among e-payments solutions, develop strategies to drive the pervasive adoption of e-payments, and advise and make recommendations to MAS on payments related policies. It is part of a series of initiatives by MAS towards realising the vision of an e-payments society in Singapore.

PayNow

In July, the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) launched a new peer-to-peer funds transfer service called PayNow, which links mobile numbers to bank accounts (Singapore National Registration Identity Card/ Foreign Identification Number can also be used).

PayNow enables users to pay and receive money using their mobile banking app, without any need to know bank names or account numbers. As PM Lee described it, “You can pay money to somebody’s mobile number, if he is on PayNow. And if you are on PayNow, other people can pay you just using your mobile number.”

Once the mobile number is linked to PayNow, customers of the seven participating banks[1] can send and receive Singapore Dollar funds from one bank to another through FAST (Fast and Secure Transfers), almost instantly.

The QR code payment method, which is convenient, safe and does not have a credit card fee, will soon be made available for PayNow, which will facilitate payments at retail outlets, such as hawker centres.

(Update: The National Environment Agency (NEA), Housing & Development Board (HDB), Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Smart Nation and Digital Government Office (SNDGO) jointly issued a Request for Information for electronic payment (e-payment) solutions to support micro-payments at hawker centres and other small shops on August 25. In view of the low-value transactions in these places, the solution must be affordable for the merchants, for payments between them and their customers and between them and their suppliers.)

Unified Point-of-Sale terminals

The MAS was working on developing an Unified Point-of-Sale (UPOS) terminal that would allow a merchant to accept all major card brands, including those that are contactless or embedded in smartphones.

In May, it was revealed in a joint media release that Dairy Farm Singapore Group (DFSG), in partnership with Network for Electronic Transfers (NETS) and United Overseas Bank (UOB) will be installing 2,000 Unified POS payment terminals over 650 stores in 2017. DFSG will implement these Unified POS terminals across its Cold Storage, Market Place, Jasons, Giant, 7-Eleven and Guardian Health and Beauty stores. The Unified POS system supports a comprehensive range of payment modes – NETS, NETS FlashPay, Apple Pay, Android Pay, Samsung Pay, UOB Mighty Pay, EZ-Link in addition to credit and debit cards.

Convenience store chain, Cheers, opened its first unmanned store at Nanyang Polytechnic in July, featuring self-checkout counters with a unified cashless payment system, among a variety of retail technologies being used in the pilot store.

In May, Today newspaper reported that the MAS and other agencies are working on to achieve a government aim for half the food and beverage (F&B) establishments to adopt digital services by 2020.

Cashless public transport

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore and TransitLink, a subsidiary of LTA, announced in a joint press release earlier this month that they are working towards a fully cashless vision for public transport by 2020. Steps being taken include extending the ongoing Account-Based Ticketing pilot, wherein commuters holding Singapore-issued Mastercard contactless credit or debit cards can simply tap theircard on the bus or MRT fare readers and they are charged for their rides in their credit or debit card bill.

Since January this year, the option of topping up stored-value cards using personal bank cards, as well as mobile payment platforms like Apple Pay and Android Pay, has been added to all General Ticketing Machines (GTMs) at all train stations. As a result, cashless top-up transactions via GTMs have increased by more than 70 per cent over the first six months.

LTA and TransitLink are working with rail operators to remove cash top-up services at Passenger Service Centres (PSCs). To minimise inconvenience for commuters, this process will be carried out gradually, starting with PSCs at 11 train stations from September 1, 2017. Over the next few years, LTA and TransitLink plan to progressively remove cash payment options for public transport transactions, including for fare payment on buses and for stored-value card services at train stations.

Some of the steps taken by local banks

DBS introduced QR code payments on its mobile wallet, PayLah!, which has around 500,000 users in April, while OCBC Bank launched its first standalone mobile payments app, Pay Anyone, which makes QR code cashless payments available at close to 2,500 NETS terminals in May. In July OCBC announced that its Pay Anyone app no longer requires even mobile or NRIC numbers. PayNow-registered customers can create and send personalised QR codes to other OCBC Pay Anyone users via social networking apps or email when requesting payment.

DBS announced in May that it would recruit up to 1000 ambassadors for its Smart Nation Ambassador Programme (SNAP) who would travel island-wide to encourage small cash-based merchants, such as hawker centres, to adopt the QR code option as a payment method.

Just last week, POSB launched the Smart Buddy Programme, which uses wearable tech (a free watch) to teach students how to save and spend wisely by helping them track their savings and spending habits digitally. Since the programme’s pilot a year ago, some 6,000 free POSB Smart Buddy watches have been issued to students. The watch helps children take an early step towards digital payments and also monitors their activity levels. Parents can in turn remotely pre-set their child’s daily allowance, send them emergency money, and monitor their kids’ spending, savings, eating habits and activity levels – all with an accompanying app.

[1]Citibank Singapore Limited, DBS Bank/POSB, HSBC, Maybank, OCBC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, and United Overseas Bank.

ARENA Announces Funding for South Australia Power Networks

In Australia’s upcoming renewable energy landscape, there will be fresh prospects for cooperation between electricity networks and retailers to assist customers in optimising the potential of their own energy resources.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), acting on behalf of the government, has revealed that it will grant AU$1.02 million to SA Power Networks along with two energy companies to collaborate on creating and testing retailer solar management offers that are capable of functioning alongside the flexible connection offers of electricity networks (also known as ‘dynamic operating envelopes’). The aim is to provide customers with Consumer Energy Resources and a smooth and seamless experience.

Despite rooftop solar being the biggest source of energy generation in South Australia, the majority of systems are not capable of reacting to market signals. However, energy companies are striving to transform this by introducing innovative offers that incentivise customers to make their solar power responsive to pricing signals in the wholesale energy market.

The primary objective of the AU$ 2.1 million project is to facilitate the development of an integrated design for the new customer offers and SA Power Networks’ Flexible Export connections for rooftop solar. The rollout of this integration will begin in July 2023 as a standard service offering.

The integration of flexible export connections with innovative retail market offers is intended to optimise customers’ market participation opportunities while maintaining power flows within the technical limits of the network. This approach could potentially be expanded in the future to support other “behind-the-meter” equipment, such as batteries and electric vehicles.

Should the solutions developed prove effective, they could be adopted by other states within the National Electricity Market, thereby potentially unlocking wholesale market and network benefits.

Demand and generation flexibility present opportunities to lower energy costs, regulate peak and minimum demand, and shift energy loads to times when renewable energy is most abundant. This flexibility can be put into action in real-time, as a response to market signals, generation shortages, or network limitations.

According to the CEO of ARENA, intelligent management of rooftop solar has the potential to serve as a long-term solution for accommodating the growing influx of renewable energy into the market. He added that the project undertaken by SA Power Networks is a targeted and limited trial that will aid in shaping the development of future mechanisms for managing rooftop solar PV and other energy assets owned by customers.

According to the latest statistics from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water In the year 2020-21, renewable energy sources constituted 8% of Australia’s total energy consumption. While the production of renewable electricity has more than doubled over the last ten years, the combustion of biomass such as firewood and bagasse (the leftover pulp from sugar cane crushing) accounts for just under 40% (38%) of Australia’s overall renewable energy consumption.

In the year 2021, 29% of Australia’s overall electricity generation was derived from renewable energy sources, which comprised solar (12%), wind (10%) and hydro (6%). This represented the highest percentage of renewables in the country’s total electricity generation to date, with the previous record of 26% having been set in the mid-1960s.

Over the past decade, solar and wind power have been the primary forces behind the expansion of renewable generation, with their output having more than doubled. Small-scale solar generation saw a growth of 29% in 2021 and an average of 28% per year over the last 10 years. Wind generation, on the other hand, grew by 19% in 2021 and by an average of 15% per year over the last decade. In contrast, hydropower output has remained relatively consistent, subject to fluctuations due to rainfall and market conditions, and has decreased in importance as other sources of generation have diversified.

Singapore’s Pan-University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has launched a new initiative to boost its innovation capabilities and accelerate research commercialisation to support Singapore’s drive toward an economy based on innovation and knowledge.

The University will ramp up its educational programmes to nurture entrepreneurs and create a more conducive environment for mentoring and supporting students, faculty, and alumni looking to turn their ideas into market-ready products through its NTU Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NTU I&E) initiative.

“Our vision is to create a vibrant innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem covering the entire spectrum of activity, from cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset through holistic education and experiential learning to starting a business,” says Professor Louis Phee, Vice President for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Dean of the College of Engineering.

Prof Louis, who leads the NTU I&E initiative, stated that they aspire to be a fertile breeding ground where innovative ideas, supported by a solid foundation in education and research, blossom into successful commercial entities that ultimately benefit Singapore’s economy. With digitalisation and sustainability at the forefront of new industries, NTU believes that the skills and knowledge students require to be successful are also evolving rapidly.

The North and South Spines of the University’s main campus will house the new NTU Innovation Port, a physical and digital one-stop shop for all things innovation-related. The centre will provide a forum for the NTU community and external partners to discuss start-up and innovation concepts, as well as assist industry partners seeking to collaborate or license technologies.

NTU I&E consists of both the revamped NTU Entrepreneurship Academy (NTUpreneur) and the University’s existing innovation and enterprise company NTUitive, which focuses on commercialising innovations and incubating start-ups.

The I&E initiative is part of the NTU 2025 Strategic Plan, an ambitious road map announced in 2021 that guides NTU toward becoming a global university founded on science and technology and that cultivates leaders capable of making a positive societal impact through interdisciplinary education and research.

The Overseas Entrepreneurship Programme is one of NTU’s most successful entrepreneurship plans. More than 320 students participated in the programme, travelling to the United States, Europe, China, Southeast Asia, and Australia to work with start-ups and accelerators. After graduating, 45 of these students have been inspired to start their own businesses or join a start-up.

The NTU I&E initiative aims to build on these achievements. Students from all disciplines will benefit from improved and easier access to mentorship, entrepreneurship modules and courses, and more internships through NTUpreneur.

Students will participate in experiential learning programmes such as innovation challenges, training boot camps, and workshops as part of their journey of exploration and discovery. In addition, the Overseas Entrepreneurship Programme will be expanded to include more countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Sweden, and Finland. The number of available placements will also be increased.

Recently, over 40 NTU innovations and start-ups were showcased at the exhibition area of the I&E launch event to inspire students and faculty. Deep tech software powered by blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) to robotics, food technology, and health and biomedical devices were among them.

NTU’s I&E efforts align with Singapore’s Research, Innovation, and Enterprise 2025 Plan and will contribute to the city-upcoming state’s Jurong Innovation District. Many of NTU’s start-ups and spin-offs are currently housed at the NTU Innovation Centre on the NTU Smart Campus and the nearby CleanTech Park, putting them at the epicentre of Singapore’s Industry 4.0 transformation.

HKSAR Government Establishes Innovation Committee

The HKSAR government has established the Committee on Innovation, Technology and Industry Development (CITID). The Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint (the Blueprint) was promulgated by the government and with the establishment of the Committee on Innovation, Technology and Industry Development (CITID), cooperation among stakeholders will be improved, and the growth of innovation and technology (I&T) in Hong Kong will be facilitated. The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry will serve as the Chair of the CITID.

The Committee on Innovation, Technology and Industry Development (CITID) has been established by the government to advise on the strategic development of innovation and technology (I&T) in Hong Kong. The CITID will focus on the following key areas:

Determining Focus Areas, Priorities, and Key Performance Indicators: The CITID will work towards facilitating the development of the I&T industry in Hong Kong, with a specific focus on areas highlighted in the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint. To achieve this, the committee will establish priorities and key performance indicators to guide its efforts.
Promoting Research and Development: To encourage research and development in Hong Kong, the CITID will formulate strategies and measures that promote the commercialisation of research outcomes.
Nurturing and Attracting I&T Talent: The CITID will also develop strategies and measures to nurture, attract and retain I&T talent. This will help ensure that Hong Kong has the necessary expertise and human resources to support the growth of the I&T industry.
Developing Key I&T Infrastructure: To support the development of the I&T industry, the CITID will also prioritise the development of key I&T infrastructure. This may include initiatives related to technology parks, data centres, and other relevant infrastructure.
Promoting New Industrialisation: Finally, the CITID will also provide recommendations on strategies and measures to promote new industrialisation in Hong Kong. This may include initiatives to develop new industries or to enhance the competitiveness of existing ones.

The CITID is composed primarily of experts and representatives from academia, industry, information technology, and other relevant sectors, as well as government officials. These members are appointed by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry and serve a two-year term.

OpenGov Asia reported on the release on the release of the Hong Kong Innovation & Technology (I&T) Development Blueprint which aims to establish a clear development path and formulate systematic strategic planning for I&T development over the next five to 10 years.

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry provided information regarding the blueprint and emphasised that it represents a comprehensive and systematic plan for the development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong, created by the government after years of effort.

The government will implement the blueprint through four primary development directions, which are:

Enhancing the I&T Ecosystem and Promoting New Industrialisation: The government aims to create a conducive environment for innovation and technology, thereby promoting new industrialisation in Hong Kong.
Enlarging the I&T Talent Pool: The government aims to expand the talent pool of innovation and technology, creating a strong foundation for sustainable growth.
Promoting Digital Economy Development and Developing Hong Kong into a Smart City: The government aims to develop Hong Kong’s digital economy and transform the city into a smart city that can proactively integrate into the overall development of the country.
Consolidating Hong Kong’s Role as a Bridge Connecting the Mainland and the World: Finally, the government aims to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a bridge between the Mainland and the rest of the world, facilitating collaboration and cooperation in innovation and technology.

MSMEs Digitalisation to Boost Indonesia’s Digital Economy

Deputy Minister of Trade Jerry Sambuaga acknowledges that Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSMEs) digitalisation is an essential part of promoting Indonesia’s digital economy. The number of digitised MSMEs reached 20,997,131, an increase of 17% from the previous year. Data from 2022 shows that the total value of e-commerce transactions in Indonesia amounted to IDR 476.3 trillion, up 18.7% from the last year on a volume of 3.48 million.

He argued that strong cooperation between the federal government, regional governments, and the private sector was necessary to digitise MSMEs successfully. The commercial electronic industry from digitised MSME successfully pushed for a clear path forward.

It was reported that in 2022, the value of online sales grew by 26% from 2021, and the number of new online traders using digital platforms grew by 6% thanks to events like National Online Shopping Day (Harbolnas). The value of transactions involving locally produced goods was IDR 10 trillion, an increase of IDR 1.5 trillion, or 18%, over Harbolnas 2021, when the value of locally produced goods sold was IDR 8.5 trillion.

“Cashless payments are one of the concrete proofs of the implementation of digitalisation in the commerce sector in the market undertaken by the Ministry of Trade,” said Jerry in an Education Digitalisation of Markets, Stalls, and MSMEs discussion in Malang City, East Java.

Therefore, the Ministry of Trade supports collaboration in developing an e-commerce ecosystem. Given the enormous development potential of the digital economy, the ministry has prepared four pillars with various stakeholders.

The first pillar is that MSMEs are adaptable, creative, and motivated to grow. To increase the value of goods and supply chain efficiency and distribution to consumers, marketplaces (marketplaces) work in synergy with MSMEs through a series of capacity building, prioritising goods aggregation activities like repackaging, management assistance, and other similar endeavours.

The third pillar, contemporary retail’s function, connects MSMEs with potential business partners. In today’s modern retail environment, MSMEs can get the local products they need. Financial institutions provide the People’s Business Credit (KUR) plan as part of the fourth pillar.

To foster an environment conducive to the development of new MSMEs, the Ministry of Trade will continue to boost the contribution of trade through the electronic system by providing regulatory assistance and guidance for business.

“Collaboration, teamwork, and digital adaption are essential to overcome the current difficulties in international trade. We believe that by working together, we can advance the digital ecosystem in Indonesia, which will benefit the economy and people at all levels of society,” Jerry says.

Jerry confirmed that they are expanding the potential for creative and digital products. For example, at the Malang Creative Center, the government has a programme to aid in developing novel products. This year, the industry emphasises developing handcrafted goods like clothing, movies, comics, and games and services for consumers to use in stores.

He explained that these items were chosen because they met a need in the market for handmade items inspired by popular culture among today’s youth (specifically, animation, comics, and gaming, abbreviated “ACG”).

Intellectual property (IP) in the form of character or product patents is an export category in the ACG industry. As an illustration, consider the prevalence of product marketing featuring Marvel or Disney characters. Intellectual property is vital to expanding the ACG industry’s export capabilities and ensuring the sector’s long-term financial viability. That’s because the impact of IP on other industries will be multiplied.

Australian Digital Health Agency Launches New Mobile App

My Health Record has powered the Australian Digital Health Agency’s initial consumer mobile application, known as “my health,” which was launched.

Due to a 292% rise in consumer interest in My Health Record during the previous financial year, the my health app provides Australians with a more convenient way to access crucial health information stored in My Health Record, securely and instantly from their mobile devices.

The app is designed with a user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to navigate and access important health information quickly and easily. The app provides direct visibility of key health information, such as allergies, medications, medical conditions, and test results, which are readily available whenever and wherever they are needed.

Users can take greater control of their health journey and be more involved in their everyday health management. By having access to their health information at their fingertips, users can monitor their health more closely, make informed decisions, and communicate more effectively with healthcare professionals.

The app is designed to be an easy-to-use digital health tool that promotes greater autonomy and participation in health management. Users can track their personal health goals, manage appointments, and set reminders for medications and tests. This feature helps users to stay on top of their health and adhere to treatment plans, resulting in better health outcomes.

From the home screen of the my health app, users can quickly:

Access their medicines information history
Check pathology results, including COVID-19 and respiratory test results
View their vaccination history and upcoming immunisations for themselves and their authorised family members
Keep track of their allergies and reactions information
View their hospital discharge summaries
Manage and keep track of their advance care planning documents
Share their health documents with others
View multiple health records, including records for children under 14 and any other records with authorised access.

The CEO of the Australian Digital Health Agency stated that enabling consumers to play an active role in their healthcare by providing them with easy access to reliable health information from birth to end-of-life care through quality apps and devices is one of the defining characteristics of a modern healthcare system.

It has been learned from the surge in the use of My Health Record that approximately 75% of interactions between the system and users occurred on mobile devices. As a result, the app was developed using a co-design approach with a focus on user needs. This approach has ensured that the app caters to the needs of all Australians and will continue to evolve over time to meet the changing needs of users.

The app will continue to grow and improve, with users being empowered to take an active role in their healthcare journey. By prioritising user-centred design and development, it is expected that the app will foster trust and confidence among Australians, leading them to participate actively in their healthcare management.

The consumer-facing app enhances accessibility to health information, providing a simplified way for users to store, see, and share documents. With information at their fingertips, users can take an active role in their health management, facilitating greater engagement and support throughout their wellness journey.

Research has found that almost two-thirds of Australians regularly use their mobile phones to manage, access, and share their health information. The release of a consumer-facing app is a direct response to consumer demand for health information access when and where they need it, making it not only a logical technical development but also an essential advancement.

To ensure the app offers the most user-friendly and accessible experience, a range of measures were undertaken by The Agency. This includes conducting interviews, surveys, accessibility and usability testing with a diverse group of users, including medical professionals and consumers of different ages, locations, cultural backgrounds, and varying levels of health complexity.

Robust data protection mechanisms have been implemented to secure consumer health information within my health, protecting against external interference. The app is fully integrated with end-to-end encryption on the My Health Record platform, ensuring maximum security for users. A seamless connection between the platform and the app is achieved by leveraging the new Health API Gateway.

As soon as new health data is available on My Health Record, it is automatically downloaded onto the app’s interface, providing users with up-to-date information at all times.

Singapore Highlights Women’s Leadership in the Digital Realm

Singapore’s Minister of State for Social and Family Development and Home Affairs, Sun Xueling, highlighted the nation’s partnership approach to women’s development during her participation in the 67th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

Minister Sun emphasised the significance of women’s participation in innovation and technology for economic development and women’s advancement. She also acknowledged that there was genuine concern regarding the progress made by women over the years in terms of education, economic empowerment, and employment. Hence, the status of every country in society will be eroded if women are not involved in the innovation and technological change that is currently driving economies.

“I think we all know that healthcare, Medtech, biosciences and hybrid tech are the jobs of the future, and 90% of future jobs will require digital skills. It is not just about digital literacy; it is also about digital fluency,” says Minister Sun.

She stated that the global average of female tech professionals in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is approximately 28%, and many countries who spoke at CSW emphasised how economic growth would not be sustainable if women were not involved in innovation and technology. Thus, many other countries, including Singapore, reaffirmed their commitment to increasing women’s participation in STEM and removing barriers that prevent women and girls from entering STEM.

Additionally, schools and Institutes of Higher Learning play an important role in nurturing young talents in STEM. To provide support for Infocomm technology and media-related studies at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, they have instituted the SG Digital Scholarship.

With this, Minister Sun reported an increase in the number of top female tech talent being awarded by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and enrolling in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and STEM-related programmes.

Singapore is also ranked fourth in the world and first in Asia in the 2022 IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking. The country aims to provide the best opportunities for women in all sectors, particularly in high-growth areas like technology that will allow businesses to remain competitive and economies to prosper.

Minister Sun added that Singapore’s efforts to attract and support female talent in technology through collaboration with the community, academia, and industry, as well as measures to combat online harms, including those directed at women and girls.

The government of Singapore is taking numerous precautions to ensure that women’s careers and advancement are unimpeded and that they are well supported in the workplace. Employers are required by the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices to evaluate employees and job applicants based on their merit and ability to perform the job.

The country is also rapidly embracing the digital age and implementing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. With this, the Minister believed that they must proactively include data on women in the decision-making process and have women in leadership positions to ensure that women are represented in a variety of fields and that products and services truly cater to women.

She also encouraged the CSW participants regarding the significance of mindset shifts. In addition to legislation and policies, mindset shifts are necessary to eliminate gender biases and traditional expectations of men’s and women’s roles. “To shift the narrative from “what is” to “what can be,” a partnership across all of society is required.”

Machine Learning to Advance Additive Manufacturing in the U.S.

Scientists at the Argonne National Laboratory, part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), have devised a novel method for identifying flaws in additively manufactured metal components. The novel technology has the potential to revolutionise the additive manufacturing industry by allowing for the early detection and prediction of defects in 3D printed materials.

Many different sectors used additive manufacturing with metals because it allows for the rapid production of complex structures. Additive manufacturing, in which parts are built layer by layer using a 3D printer, is used to create everything from rocket engine nozzles and pistons for high-speed cars to custom orthopaedic implants. Although additive manufacturing facilitates the rapid construction of complicated components, its widespread adoption has been hampered by the emergence of structural faults during the building process.

Researchers could monitor the growth of pores in 3D-printed metals in near-real time by combining imaging and machine-learning approaches. The novel technology has the potential to revolutionise the additive manufacturing industry by allowing for the early detection and prediction of flaws in 3D printed materials.

Laser powder bed fusion was utilised to construct the metal samples for the investigation; this technique involves melting metal powder into the desired shape using heat from a laser. However, this method often results in the creation of pores, which might reduce the effectiveness of the part.

Several AM machines contain thermal imaging sensors to keep an eye on the building process, but these sensors only photograph the parts’ outside surfaces; therefore, they overlook the pore creation. The Advanced Photon Source (APS) in Argonne, a user facility of the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, provides the only technique to identify pores inside solid, metal objects directly.

“Our X-ray beams are so strong that we can image more than a million frames per second,” explained Samuel Clark, an assistant physicist at Argonne. Researchers could watch pores form in real-time according to these photos. Scientists revealed that pores produced within a sample cause unique heat fingerprints at the surface, detectable by thermal cameras and comparing X-ray and thermal images.

Researchers then used thermal images alone to train a machine-learning model to forecast the development of pores within 3D metals. To ensure their model was correct, they compared it to data from X-ray pictures, which they knew to be an accurate reflection of pore creation. The model was then tested in an unlabeled sample setting, where it was asked to identify heat signals and forecast pore development.

“The APS gave the 100% correct ground truth that allowed us to achieve perfect prediction of pore production with our model,” explained Tao Sun, an associate professor at UVA.

Sensors are included on many commercially available additive manufacturing machines, but they are less precise than the technology the scientists developed. “Our approach may quickly be implemented in commercial systems,” added Kamel Fezzaa, a physicist at Argonne. Machines should be able to monitor the printing process, identify when and where pores are created, and alter their settings automatically using simply a thermal camera.

If a machine detects a severe flaw in a component early in the production process, for instance, it can halt further assembly of that component. The new method can provide information on where pore faults might be within the part even if the construction process isn’t paused, which saves users time during inspection.

“If you have a log file that tells you these four spots potentially have faults, then you’re going to check out these four locations instead of looking at the entire part,” Sun noted.

The team plans to investigate more sensors that can identify additive manufacturing errors in the future. So they can create a system that can spot and fix problems as they arise in production. Finally, Sun revealed that they want to construct a comprehensive system to inform users and show exactly where the defect is and how it might be remedied.

March 20, 2023

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Accelerating drive towards cashless society in Singapore – A snapshot of recent initiatives

ARENA Announces Funding for South Australia Power Networks

Singapore’s Pan-University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative

HKSAR Government Establishes Innovation Committee

MSMEs Digitalisation to Boost Indonesia’s Digital Economy

Australian Digital Health Agency Launches New Mobile App

Singapore Highlights Women’s Leadership in the Digital Realm

Machine Learning to Advance Additive Manufacturing in the U.S.

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