The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) launched a joint lab on Friday to drive research in 3D design and printing.

The Visualisation and Prototyping Lab consists of both institutions' existing facilities on their campuses. Using their expertise, the schools will collaborate to carry out research and develop new techniques in the field of 3D printing.

NTU and SUTD have put in $1 million in total to fund Phd scholarships. For a start, four Phd students - two from each school - will undertake research projects in the lab, having access to both schools' facilities and two supervisors, one from each school.

SUTD's Professor Kristin Wood and NTU's chair of the school of mechanical and aerospace engineering Prof Chua Chee Kai will oversee the collaboration.

Said Prof Wood: "Rather than competing, we're taking skills from both sides - NTU's expertise in rapid prototyping and 3D printing and SUTD's design perspective - and working together to create new technologies."