TMSI Day 3

Brief Timeline

Time	Events
8.30am-8.45am	Reach NUS Computer Centre
8.45am-9.15am	Walk To TMSI Branch In NUS (Marine Biodiversity Laboratory)
9.15am-9.25am	Travel To Singapore Yacht Club
9.25am-10.30am	View Mr Lim’s Experiment On Anti-fouling
10.30am-11.15am	Clean up The Seawater In The Raft
11.15am-11.30am	Packing Up At The Singapore Yacht Club
11.30am-11.45am	Going Back From The Singapore Yacht Club To TMSI Branch In NUS
11.45am-12.35pm	Reach The TMSI Branch In NUS And Taking A Break
12.35pm-12.50pm	Walk To The Raffles Museum
12.50pm-1.40pm	View The Exhibits In The Raffles Museum
1.40pm	Home

Walk To TMSI Branch In NUS (Marine Biodiversity Laboratory)

We walk from the NUS Computer Centre to the TMSI Branch in NUS. The road that we are walking is quite steep. Mr Lim told us that the TMSI Branch is situated in some old British colonial buildings. Mr Lim showed us a high-tech well situated in TMSI which is used by the Acoustic Research Department for some experiments. I was quite surprised when I saw the well as it has a lot of We also saw a buoy near the high-tech Well. There are dried-out barnacles, green mussels stuck onto the anti-fouling paint of the buoy. Upon exerting a light-force on the dried barnacles, it is easily removed from the paint. On the other hand, the anti-fouling paint is very adhesive hence the paint will not be peeled when the barnacle is removed.

We went into the Marine Biodiversity Laboratory where we packed up to go to Singapore Yacht Club.

Travel To Singapore Yacht Club

We traveled on a van to the Singapore Yacht Club driven by another researcher named Razali. It was a short journey.

View Mr Lim’s Experiment On Anti-fouling

When we reached the Singapore Yacht Club, firstly we went into TMSI room where Mr Lim and Razali packed some of the equipments required for their experiment. They show us equipment which can be used to measure the surface tension of water. A drop of water is placed on the measuring instrument. The instrument will measure the angle. A larger angle will mean that the surface tension is more hydrophobic.

After that we sit on a buggy which fetches us to a make-shift “raft” that contains Mr Lim’s experiment. I helped to pull the rope to pull the raft nearer to the shore. Razali and Mr Lim then took the metals that are suspended on a metal holder in the middle of the raft and coated with anti-fouling paint out of the seawater while we inspect at some barnacles at some nearby metal poles. I noticed that a type of organism that is stuck to the metal pole is squirting water out. Upon asking Razali, I understand that this type of organism squirt water when it is taken out of the water. I learnt that barnacles can survive both in water and out of the water. Barnacles can survive when it is taken out of water up for a period of 6 hours at a time. Besides barnacles, small oysters, different types of sponges, algae attach itself to the metal holder.

After which, Mr Lim explained that the US army collaborate with them to test on the effectiveness of new types of anti-fouling paint in Singapore water and new types of cleaning material and the amount of force that is required to be exerted to clean away the different type of organisms that are attached to the paint. The US army collaborates with TMSI as they are coming up with a machine to clean the ship hull. Depending on the time of the year and the time period which the metal are immersed in the seawater, different types of organisms can be seen attached to the metal plates. There are 4 variables tested in this experiment and one of the variable is the frequency of cleaning the metal plate.

Razali explained that Mr Lim took pictures of the front and back view of each metal plates before and after cleaning. As Mr Lim took the pictures, Razali set up the cleaning device consisting of a force-cage that measures the force required to remove the slime and a type of cleaning sponge. The force-cage will give the same reading either a pulling or pushing action is applied. Razali clean each side of metal plates twice, which each time he took down the readings. Razali allow us to try out the cleaning device.

As Razali took the readings, he told us some interesting facts such as about Greenpeace which is an environment conservation group, most sharks are quite gentle except when they are provoked and only 3 types of sharks are aggressive.

Clean up The Seawater In The Raft

We helped the researchers clean up the waste in the seawater in the raft. As we used the net to scoop the waste which mostly consisting of twigs and dead leaves. But there are empty drink cans, drink packets, plastic bags that inconsiderate people have thrown into the sea. Razali reminded us to protect the environment and not throw our waste into the sea as these wastes pose as a health hazard to marine animals. For example, some turtles may mistaken plastic bags for jellyfish hence it may try to consume the plastic bags which cause them to choke to death. After this we pack up and get ready to go back to the TMSI Branch in NUS.

Reach The TMSI Branch In NUS And Taking A Break

When we reach the TMSi Branch in NUS Razil pointed to us a chameleon which has camouflage itself under a bush near our van. After which we are given a break while Mr Lim did some work. We use the time to write our messages on the cards that we are giving to Mr Lim and Jani together with chocolates as a thank-you gift.

Walk To The Raffles Museum

We take a fifteen minutes walk from TMSI Branch in NUS to the Raffles Museum which is situated in the Faculty of Science. On the way, we passed by the Marine Aquarium where some of the coral experiments are carried out. Besides, we passed by the Department Of Biological Sciences Administration where Mr Lim tell us about some of the science courses that are offered in NUS. This gives me a clearer picture of the courses offered which has help me to narrow down the courses that I will consider taking after the A Levels. Besides, we passed by a stretch where there are different mini man-made habitats such as a pond which contains Native Freshwater Swamp Forest Species and another which contains Exotic Freshwater Species.

There is a phylogenic garden with different species of plants with their scientific names. Mr Lim told us that student who took botany as one of the module will have to memorize all the names of the plants in the garden.

View The Exhibits In The Raffles Museum

We went into the Raffles Museum where we need to sign in. Upon stepping into the Museum, the atmosphere is different. All around the museum, there are animals being preserved in jars and other replicas of the original animals. We talked in whispers as if we are in the library. Most of the exhibits shown are animals and plants that are found in Singapore and the small islands around Singapore such as Pulau Ubin, Sentosa, etc. There are land as well as sea animals and plants. I like the exhibits on seashells and Surprising Singapore while I find the exhibits of animals being preserved by chemicals in bottles disgusting. I was amazed by the diversity of animals found in Singapore, many of the animals which we have not expect them to exist in Singapore. For example, Phyllium Bioculation (Order: Odonata) which is found at Nee Soon Swarmp-forest on May 1992 and also the Brain Coral.