Experience research life in Singapore

How should satellites move to observe the same area on Earth often enough? And how can you get a very thin layer of material to form in the right way? These were two of the questions Sofia Semeli Peimanidi and Julius Andersson worked on during their summer at NTU.

At Chalmers, Sofia Semeli Peimanidi is studying on the master programme in Wireless, Photonics and Space Engineering. At NTU, she investigated how groups of satellites can be used to determine movements in the atmosphere.

“I used Ansys Systems Tool Kit (STK) and Python to simulate and compare different satellite cluster configurations. I studied their orbital motion, coverage and how frequently they could revisit the same areas on Earth,” she says.

The work gave her an opportunity to apply her knowledge of physics and space engineering to a practical research project. But the experience offered more than subject knowledge.

“What surprised me most was the opportunity to experience research in an international environment and work on a project with a practical application. I got to see how people from different backgrounds and fields bring their expertise together to work towards a common mission goal.”

Julius Andersson is studying on the master programme in Nanotechnology as part of his five-year engineering degree in Electrical Engineering. He spent much of the summer in the lab, working on producing very thin layers of the material PdSe₂ for infrared applications.

Starting materials were heated in a furnace and carried by a flow of gas to a surface where the material formed. Julius Andersson investigated how factors including temperature, gas flow and time affected the results. He prepared the samples himself and analysed them using a method that uses laser light to examine materials.

“One challenge I encountered was the difficulty of reproducing results from previous papers. In many cases, the lab setup was different from the one I had access to, and sometimes certain parameter values had been left out. This meant I had to think a lot for myself about how to recreate the same conditions and relate them to theory, rather than simply following a recipe. Having to experiment became part of what made the work rewarding.”

Julius Andersson was already aiming for a career in research before the trip.

“I have a strong interest in science, so the opportunity to specialise in a particular area you are passionate about and constantly learn new things is definitely something that appeals to me.”

“My time at NTU has further strengthened my interest. I found working on my project very stimulating and enjoyable, and even though I sometimes encountered problems, it was fun trying to figure out how to solve them. I also had many rewarding discussions with PhD students and postdocs in my research group .”

“After graduating, I plan to pursue a PhD, but I have not yet decided exactly which field. Quantum technology and 2D-materials are two areas I am interested in, with the latter being the focus of my project at NTU. Since I had a positive experience at NTU, I would consider returning there for my PhD.”

Their stay was part of the research exchange launched by Chalmers and NTU in summer 2026. The programme gives master students the opportunity to work in a research group at the partner university.

The initiative comes from Chalmers’ Materials Science Area of Advance and also involves the Nano, Production, and Information and Communication Technology, ICT, Areas of Advance.

The exchange works in both directions. Students from NTU have the same opportunity to work in research groups at Chalmers. When the programme was presented ahead of the first round, Rickard Frost, adviser to the Materials Science Area of Advance, highlighted the opportunity to establish contact with students who might later return for a master’s thesis project or PhD studies.

Sofia Semeli Peimanidi emphasises that you do not need to have decided on your future or know everything about a research topic before applying.

“Moving to another country and entering a different research environment can feel scary, but it is also an opportunity to learn, meet people from different backgrounds, and gain new perspectives. My advice would be to apply even if you feel you are not fully prepared or do not know everything about the research topic beforehand. You don’t always have to know exactly what you want to do, and that is completely normal. Our interests and goals can change as we gain new experiences.”

“The most important thing is to give yourself the chance to try. Even if things don’t go as planned, or you discover that something is not right for you, the experience can help you make better decisions about your future. In the end, you learn a lot, not only from succeeding but also from trying. Also, it is very hot there, so bring suitable clothes and a fan.”