A star

In computer science, A* (pronounced “A star”) is a graph/tree search algorithm that finds a path from a given initial node to a given goal node (or one passing a given goal test). It employs a “heuristic estimate” that ranks each node by an estimate of the best route that goes through that node. It visits the nodes in order of this heuristic estimate. The A* algorithm is therefore an example of best-first search.
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The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (Abbreviation: A*STAR; Chinese: 新加坡科学技术研究局) is a statutory board in Singapore. The agency was established in 2002 to promote and support research and development in the country, especially in the public sector. The current chairman for A*STAR is Lim Chuan Poh, who was a Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Education. He took over from Philip Yeo on 1 April 2007, who later became chairman of the Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board (Spring Singapore). The agency is made up of:The Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) - Oversees public sector research activities in the biomedical sciencesThe Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) - Oversees public sector research activities in the physical sciences and engineeringThe A*STAR Graduate Academy (A*GA) - Administers science scholarships and other manpower development programsExploit Technologies Pte Ltd (ETPL) - Manages the intellectual property created by research institutes in Singapore, and facilitates technology transfer to industryThe Corporate Group - Supports the rest of the organisation with finance, human resources, legal and other services
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