Void Deck

How to Train Your Robot

Have you ever seen humanoid robots walking the streets or going viral online? How do they move? Why don't they fall while carrying out all those fancy moves? In this episode of Void Deck by Science Centre Singapore, Lydia sits down with in-house 'robot trainer' Wenjun to unravel how such humanoid robots work. Episode Highlights & Timestamps * 01:11 Introducing the Unitree G1 Humanoid Robot * 02:00 How can the robot do boxing? * 03:10 How does the robot learn? * 04:23 What can it help us with our daily lives? * 05:00 'Would You Rather...' * 05:43 Can robots replace humans? Guest biography Ms. Wenjun Liang is a Senior Science Educator at Science Centre Singapore. On a daily basis, Wenjun can be found around the centre conducting shows and interacting with guests. For the RoboFest, Wenjun has been specially trained to work with robots. For transcription and show notes, visit: https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s3e2-how-to-train-your-robot [https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s3e2-how-to-train-your-robot]

Why is this Lunar Eclipse so Special?

On 3 March 2026, the Moon turns red into a Blood Moon as it goes through a total lunar eclipse. But how exactly does that happen? In this episode of Void Deck by Science Centre Singapore, Lydia sits down with in-house space expert Meng to unpack what makes this total lunar eclipse special. Why does the Moon turn red? Is a Blood Moon different from a lunar eclipse? Episode Highlights & Timestamps * 00:51 Why does the Moon turn red? * 01:32 Quickfire 'This or That' -- what does our space expert prefer? * 02:10 How to watch the eclipse on 3rd March 2026 * 04:39 Embarrassing Question #1: Are all lunar eclipses red? * 05:28 Embarrassing Question #2: Is a Blood Moon = a lunar eclipse? * 06:18 Fun Fact!: Eclipses always happen in pairs Guest biography Mr. Lim Meng Hwee (Meng) is a Senior Science Educator at Science Centre Singapore. On a daily basis, Meng conducts workshops and classes in the centre, including the planetarium shows at the Omnitheatre some Friday nights. Meng is especially focused in astronomical sciences and you may often see him at local astronomical sites with his very own gear and mind full of stars. For full transcript and show notes, visit: https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s3e1-lunar-eclipse/ [https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s3e1-lunar-eclipse/]

Are Our Heritage Trees Actually Non-Native? with Dr. Shawn Lum

Scattered across Singapore are 255 registered Heritage Trees—remarkable for their majesty, cultural value, and the histories these green landmarks are rooted in. While some are native, many aren’t. So how did our heritage trees end up here, and what makes them worth conserving? In this episode, tropical forest ecologist Dr. Shawn Lum walks us through the hidden world of our heritage trees, the work that goes into conserving them, and why they matter more than we might think. Episode Highlights • The meaning behind Heritage Tree status - how trees earn this prestigious designation through their botanical value and cultural significance • The extensive work that goes into conserving our natural heritage, from expert arborist inspections to lightning protection installation • The journey of Singapore's most common Heritage Tree species, the Rain Tree, from South America to Southeast Asia • Discovering century-old majestic trees in the Changi area that still stand as living witnesses to Singapore's changing landscape • How everyday citizens can contribute to forest conservation, from nominating potential Heritage Trees to participating in the One Million Trees movement Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:59 Definition and Criteria for Heritage Trees 02:29 Nomination Process for Heritage Trees 04:27 Non-Native Species and Globalisation 07:34 Maintenance of Heritage Trees 10:44 Dr. Lum’s Favourite Heritage Trees 13:44 What You Can Do to Help Our Forests 15:14 Outro Guest Bio: Dr. Shawn Lum joined the NTU Asian School of the Environment in January 2016 after spending more than twenty years as a Lecturer at the National Institute of Education. He joined NIE upon completion of his PhD at the University of California, Berkeley. Shawn is a product of islands - he was born in Tokyo, raised in Honolulu, and has spent his working career in Singapore. Shawn's teaching has centered upon plant diversity, forest ecology, and conservation. In addition to his teaching and academic work, he works closely with local environment and nature-related agencies and is also active in nature conservation NGOs and civil society. [From NTU] Read the full transcript and show notes at https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s2e4-ecology [https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s2e4-ecology]

Is Your Phone Making You More Kiasu? with Dr. Jean Liu

According to a study by IMH, about 1 in 3 Singaporeans aged 15 - 65 are reported to have problematic amounts of smartphone usage in their daily lives. But what happens when we’re seeing our peers on their 5th couples trip to Japan on Instagram? Does it make us more “kiasu” about our own lives? Can our brains get so overloaded with digital content to the point of “brain rot?” What can we do to develop healthier relationships with our devices? Behavioural scientist Dr. Jean Liu shares her insights. Episode Highlights • How the “fear of missing out” (FOMO) drives problematic social media use—people who fear missing out are most vulnerable to excessive platform engagement and its negative effects, especially on social networking sites • Why the pop science concept of social media providing "dopamine hits" might be oversimplified and what neuroscience actually tells us about our brains on screens • The truth about "brain rot" and why consuming "mindless" content isn't necessarily harmful • How our phones are changing the way we remember and behave, from search-engine-oriented memory patterns to the psychological impact of "phubbing" (phone snubbing) • Practical strategies for digital wellness including the concept of "digital minimalism" that focuses on aligning device use with life goals rather than arbitrary screen time limits Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:52 What is Kiasu? 01:39 FOMO and Social Media 03:06 Why is Social Media So Addictive? 04:51 Debunking the Dopamine Hit 06:42 Brain Rot 09:10 Effects of Screentime on the Brain 11:03 Healthier Relationships with Devices 13:25 Being Present for Others 14:37 Final Thoughts: Is Your Phone Making You More Kiasu? 15:12 Outro Guest Bio: Dr Jean Liu is a Director at the Centre for Evidence and Implementation, and adjunct Assistant Professor at Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School and the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. [Note: Since recording this episode, Dr. Jean Liu has been appointed as an Associate Professor of Psychology at Singapore Institute of Technology.] Her primary research area focuses on how digital devices impact our health and social relationships. To date, she has published >30 research papers on topics such as: how individuals use their phones during meals, how social media relates to mental health, how WhatsApp users transmit health messages, and whether following Taylor Swift predicts better mental health outcomes. In recognition of her expertise, Dr Liu has served as consultant to the World Health Organisation, assisting with the roll-out of a new mental health framework for the Western Pacific Region. She is also a Council Member for the Agency for Care Effectiveness, expert panelist for the Health Promotion Board, and board member for several non-profit organisations. Her research insights have been discussed in parliament, and she speaks frequently in the media. Read the full transcript and show notes at https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s2e3-psychology/ [https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s2e3-psychology/]

Could Durian Be the Secret to a Sustainable Future? with Prof. William Chen

Durian is a beloved staple in Singapore, with over 12 million consumed annually. But what happens to the durian seeds and husks after it is consumed? As the nation strives for sustainability and a circular economy, how can we better manage the food waste we generate? Using the King of Fruits as an example, food technologist Prof. William Chen shows us how we can transform trash into treasure, from durian-derived antibacterial bandages, biodegradable food wraps, and natural food stabilisers. Episode Highlights • How scientists are transforming discarded durian husks into unexpected innovations from antimicrobial hydrogel bandages that soothe skin conditions to biodegradable food packaging • Why the scale of Singapore's food waste problem – 700,000 tonnes of annual food waste (equivalent to two bowls per person daily) is driving creative solutions in food science and technology • The fascinating potential of traditional culinary practices like fermentation in creating a circular food economy • How Singapore's unique position as a small, nimble city-state with expertise in biomedical science, AI, and engineering is helping pioneer urban food solutions that could benefit cities worldwide Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:46 Upcycling Discarded Durians 06:28 Using Fermentation to Reduce Food Waste 11:12 Singapore's Potential for Food Science & Technology 13:46 Outro Guest Bio: William Chen received his undergraduate and graduate education from l’Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium. He is the Michael Fam Endowed Professor and Director of Food Science & Technology Programme at Nanyang Technological University Singapore. He is concurrently Director of Singapore Future Ready Food Safety Hub (FRESH), and also Director of Singapore Agri-food Innovation Lab (SAIL). Professor Chen is active in securing and leading large competitive research grants from major government agencies as well as leading international food companies. His team’s food technology innovations in food waste upcycling towards the food circular economy have been extensively attracting global attention. In addition to publishing regularly in top food science journals, his team works closely with food industry to translate innovations into consumer products. His team’s food tech innovations and his views on food safety and food security have been regularly featured in major local and international media outlets. He is also advisor/consultant to overseas universities, Singapore government agencies, food industry, and international organizations (ADB, FAO, WEF, WHO among others). Read the full transcript and show notes at https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s2e2-foodtech/ [https://voiddeck.science.edu.sg/s2e2-foodtech/]