Tai Kang

Assoc Prof Tai Kang is an Associate Professor at the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. He holds a B.Eng. (First Class Honours) from the National University of Singapore and a Ph.D. from Imperial College London. He has been a faculty member at NTU since 1995 and held a concurrent appointment with the Singapore-MIT Alliance (2001-2004). His research focuses on design optimization, computational intelligence, compliant mechanisms, and critical infrastructure resilience.

Education:

• B.Eng. (First Class Honours) in Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1990
• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, 1995

Research Interests:

• Design automation and optimization
• Genetic algorithms and evolutionary computation
• Topology and shape optimization
• Compliant mechanisms and soft robotics
• Critical infrastructure vulnerability analysis
• Machine learning applications in engineering

His work spans theoretical advancements in optimization algorithms to practical applications in aerospace systems, manufacturing, and infrastructure resilience. He has published over 70 peer-reviewed papers and co-authored a book on Probability Collectives. His research group has developed novel methodologies for compliant mechanism design, cooling system optimization, and flat pattern unfolding for 3D structures.

Grants & Advising: Supervised 19 graduate students and co-authored numerous funded projects in mechanical design optimization, energy systems, and infrastructure resilience. Collaborates with industry partners on projects like offshore wind turbine substructures and fuel cell-powered marine vessels.

Labs/Teams: Active in the Design Optimization Lab and Critical Infrastructure Resilience Research Group at NTU.