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Imperial and Singapore’s HTX (Home Team Science and Technology Agency) have announced plans to collaborate in two key areas of public safety research.

The projects will harness the growing research ties between Imperial and partners in Singapore.

Monitoring wastewater

Researchers will develop an automated prototype for chemical monitoring in wastewater. The project, co-led by , School of Public Health, and , Department of Physics, sets out to innovate a more robust and less labour-intensive system to quickly analyse chemical traces in wastewater.

Professor Barron’s research focuses on measuring, understanding and mitigating the public health and environmental impacts of chemicals, including through delivery of the UK’s national wastewater drug monitoring programme from 2021-2025. Dr Murray’s current research focuses on developing mid-infrared laser-based technologies for rapid chemical analysis in biomedicine and security. This cross-faculty, interdisciplinary project will integrate combined expertise covering analytical chemistry, engineering, public health as well as the forensic and security sciences in partnership with HTX science teams.

Wound ballistics analysis

Collaborating on the development of software providing quantitative, fast-running analysis of wound ballistics, or the physical effects of ballistic trauma.

The project will be co-led by , Department of Bioengineering, and , Department of Bioengineering, and Co-Director, School of Convergence Science, Health and Technology, and aims to enable informed forensic analysis of incidents.

Professor Masouros' work focuses on traumatic injury of the musculoskeletal system, specifically the lower extremities, pelvis, and spinal column. His research not only determines how injuries occur, but informs innovations in treatment, protection and rehabilitation. 

Professor Bull's research on the basic mechanics of joints has led to the development of treatments and technologies to support athletes, the armed forces and amputees. Professor Bull leads the Centre for Injury Studies which works to improve the mitigation of injury, and advance treatment, rehabilitation and recovery for patients who have experienced musculoskeletal injuries.

This partnership with HTX reflects Imperial’s commitment to applying our world-leading science and engineering to real‑world challenges. Professor Peter Haynes Provost and Deputy President of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½

The announcement was made on the sidelines of MTX (Milipol TechX Summit) 2026 with Imperial’s Provost Professor Peter Haynes signing the agreement. The Provost was in Singapore to meet Imperial collaborators and partners, speak at the Quantum Now and Next workshop at MTX 2026, and meet Imperial’s alumni community in Singapore.

Professor Haynes said: “This partnership with HTX reflects Imperial’s commitment to applying our world-leading science and engineering to real‑world challenges. By bringing together leading expertise across public health, physics and engineering, we are strengthening our shared capability to advance public safety research.”

Chan Tsan, Chief Executive of HTX, said: “As science and technology continues to transform the public safety landscape, strong and complementary partnerships are critical to addressing the challenges faced by the Home Team on multiple fronts. The partnerships announced at MTX 2026 reflect the diverse public safety ecosystem we are building to harness innovation, strengthen capabilities, and keep Singapore safe.”

Lucy Hughes, Deputy High Commissioner at the British High Commission in Singapore, said: “The UK–Singapore Strategic Partnership places science and technology collaboration at the heart of our shared security and long‑term prosperity. This partnership between ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ and Singapore’s HTX brings together world‑leading expertise from both countries to address real‑world public safety challenges and ensure research delivers practical impact.”

Imperial and have been working closely since 2024 on co-developing research and development initiatives aimed at enhancing public safety.  

This new partnership will bring together cutting-edge research and translation activity spanning both the Singapore and UK ecosystems.

The partnership will be overseen by , Co-Director, School of Convergence Science, Space, Security and Telecoms and Academic Director of Imperial Global Singapore.

School of Convergence Science

The School of Convergence Science is a mission-led initiative within Imperial’s Science for Humanity strategy. Its work unfolds across four interconnected themes: Health and Technology; Human and Artificial Intelligence; Space, Security and Telecoms; and Sustainability. We collaborate globally with researchers, industry, governments, and funders to translate science into action for the world’s toughest challenges. 

Imperial Global Singapore

At Imperial Global Singapore, our scientists work closely with university, industry, government, and third-sector partners in Singapore. The centre enables scientists to rapidly scale new breakthroughs and technology to societal benefit and commercialisation in Southeast Asia, building on partnerships with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), the National University of Singapore (NUS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the Singapore Management University.