Sugar factory recognizes the importance of redesigning processes and is collaborating with SIT to achieve optimization of its production process.
SIT and Cheng Yew Heng have embarked on more than 10 projects together since 2016, and A/Prof Wong has helped develop methodologies in the rock sugar production process. For instance, she found that replacing the cast iron pails with stainless steel trays has shortened the crystallisation time period. It also increased the yield by about 10 per cent – a significant percentage for a company that sees trades in the hundreds of tonnes annually.
Rock Solid Partnership
The latest ’blue sky’ idea – offered by an SIT student during her Integrated Work Study Programme at the company – was to use ultrasound to optimise sugar stick production. The low-frequency sound wave technology is believed to speed up crystallisation. However, it is an expensive technology and not directly translatable at this point.
Regardless, Mr Cheng is supportive of the idea. After all, the SIT partnership has sparked his imagination. “Previously we didn’t even have an R&D team. SIT made us see the value of having one. We only can come so far unless we have partners who open our eyes to new possibilities.”
Cheng Yew Heng and SIT are now working on a new project – optimising the crystallisation process of Jewels Rock Sugar Sticks.
A/Prof Wong is grateful for such opportunities. She said: “We welcome more industry partners like Cheng Yew Heng to explore science, technology, and innovation with us. If the collaboration is successful, the research outcome will translate into applicable solutions. That is what applied research at SIT is all about.”
She is also relishing the sweet opportunity to do more research. “All scientific advances start with ‘What if?’ and who knows what we might find if we just keep exploring,” she said.
It is perhaps the closest a research enthusiast has come to feeling like a kid in a candy factory.
