John Kua

John Kua is currently deputy director of SINERGY Centre of A*STAR, responsible for the research and development activities of the Centre. Previously, he has worked on research and technology development projects in applications software, aerospace, defense systems design and automotive fields for over 20 years, first in government defence research labs and then in government-linked technology companies. For the past 12 years, he has been specializing in components and systems design of environmentally-friendly technologies in advanced electric/hybrid and fuel cell vehicle systems and alternate energy development projects in Singapore as well as in the Asia Pacific region. He has also ventured out to start his own technology startup and consultancy, including development of an advanced microprocessor-controlled, zero-emission, AC propulsion drive system used for electric vehicles – this being technological a first in Singapore. For the past 4 years, he has been engaged in technical consulting and business development in both China and the U.S. In summary, as a mechanical engineer by profession, his area of experience in engineering is broad, covering the R & D phase to engineering development for commercialization.