In this paper, the water driving cycle had been chosen to determine and compare the component sizing of conventional boat and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Recreational Boat (PHERB) powertrains. PHERB is an improvement on conventional boat to reduce the fuel consumption and emissions. The locations of water driving cycle in this research are at Pulau Kapas and Tasik Kenyir, Terengganu. Boat energy and power requirement was calculated according boat parameters, specifications and performance requirements to study the differences component sizing of conventional boat and PHERB powertrains. Power flow analyses are used to decide the size and capacity of main components for achieving the design specifications and requirements of conventional boat and PHERB powertrains. The results for PHERB powertrain requirement using steady state velocity are 20 kW at 3000 rpm for Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), 30 kW for Electric Machine (EM) and 5 kWh for Energy System Storage (ESS). The acquired results show that the PHERB gained the most existing powertrains and has extraordinary potential in applications to marine transportation in reducing fuel consumption and emission.
Computer technology has become a very important element in an advanced manufacturing system. The good and systematic data model for the exchange of manufacturing information between different stages of development of product life cycle is paramount to ensure the product is manufactured and delivered to the market successfully. As a result, ISO 10303, an international standard, or well known as Standard for Exchange of Product Model Data (STEP) is not just for providing a neutral data format within the heterogenous CAD systems, its functionality has extended to the whole life cycle of product. STEP Part 21 is the first implementation method from EXPRESS modelling language and implemented successfully as neutral product data to integrate heterogeneous CAD platform. However, this CAD STEP Part21 text file is hardly to be applied in manufacturing processes since it consists of purely geometrical and topological data. In this research, a nonprocedural approach is presented to translate the EXPRESS language model of STEP CAD data into a new product database system model. A new nonprocedural approach of data enrichment and automated machining feature recognition is proposed and implemented on this newly developed product database system and provide a solution for the interrelated tasks of automated machining feature recognition: (1) extraction of geometrical feature from STEP CAD model data of the part (2) formation of part representation suitable for form feature identification (3) matching of form features. This paper proves the validity of this newly developed product database system by translating STEP Part21 file from a commercial CAD system to database system format, data enrichment, performing automated machining feature recognition and lastly generating STEP standard data according to AP224 for supporting STEP based process planning and manufacturing applications.
Laterite soils are occasionally associated with geotechnical problems such as road deformation, erosion, settlement, dam seepage, slope instability, leachate permeation through hydraulic barriers, etc. Numerous soil improvement techniques were being applied to overcome these problems, including mixing the laterite soil with cements, limes, bitumen, chemicals, pozzolanas, etc. These additives may not be locally available and cheap, and could significantly increase the cost of construction. Likewise, in many cases, these stabilizing agents are not environmentally friendly. Different percentages of fines, sand and gravel in laterite soils exhibit different engineering characteristics and behaviour, making it difficult to obtain suitable and appropriate gradation for specific construction purposes. Thus, the essence of this review is to determine the fundamental engineering properties of laterite soil as a standalone material at different gradations to harness its potentiality for various construction purposes. It proposes step-by-step procedures on how to achieve a better soil by varying its gradation and moisture content. Laboratory testing in accordance with BS1377:1990 and ASTM D698 are adopted to examine the engineering characteristics with respect to hydraulic conductivity, shear strength, and volumetric shrinkage. In this experimental technique where molding water content and compaction energy are carefully controlled at different laterite gradations, the engineering design is anticipated to provide greater accuracy, safety, and sustainability.
The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) has received extensive attention due to the alternatives it provides for reducing the dependency on petroleum. Nowadays, many simulation software such as ADVISOR and AUTONOMIE, were built to help in PHEV research. In this paper, the effect of three main PHEV powertrains such as engine power, traction motor power and battery capacity on fuel consumption, electric consumption and carbon oxide emission is studied using AUTONOMIE. The simulation is designed and run using AUTONOMIE with example of commands used in MATLAB. The overall simulation results show that the fuel consumption decreases as the motor power increases with the same battery capacity and engine power. In additions, the simulation results also show that the electric and fuel consumptions are contrary to each other. Meanwhile, the carbon oxide emission and fuel consumption increase following each other’s.
Scholars have opined that the courtyard is a passive architectural design element and
that it can act as a microclimate modifier provided that its design requirements are not
ignored. But despite the assertions, empirical studies on the microclimatic
performance of a fully enclosed courtyard house and the non-courtyard house seems
to be deficient, and the assumption that the Courtyard is a passive architectural design
element needs to be substantiated. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to
investigate the microclimatic performance of a fully enclosed courtyard and noncourtyard
residential buildings. The main objective is to compare their microclimatic
performances in other to draw a conclusion on the best option. Three Hobo Weather
Data Loggers were used to collect climatic data in the buildings, and the third one was
situated in the outdoor area as a benchmark. The climatic variables investigated are;
air temperature and relative humidity. The fully enclosed courtyard residential building
is seen to have a better air temperature difference of 2 oC to 4 oC and the relative
humidity of 2 % to 6 %. In conclusion, the fully enclosed courtyard residential building
has confirmed a more favorable microclimatic performance, and future studies
towards its optimization are recommended.
In the past few years, solid liquid extraction (SLE) has shown greater potential in extraction of rare earth elements (REE) compared to liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). The objective of this study is to analyse the extraction behaviour of dysprosium (Dy) using the extractant immobilised resin (EIR) in SLE. In this study, the synergist activity between ionic liquid (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([C2mim][NTf2]) or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([C4mim][NTf2])) with conventional extractant of Aliquat 336 (A336) were investigated and the most effective synergist extractant (SE) was further immobilised onto resins (CR11, HP20 and SP207) to synthesise EIR. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to detect the concentration Dy before and after extraction. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) were used to characterise EIRs. From the study, [C2mim][NTf2] showed better compatibility with A336 since this SE (A336- [C2mim][NTf2]) gives higher extraction efficiency of Dy at 90% compared to A336- [C4mim][NTf2] with less than 11% efficiency. SLE using resins immobilised with A336- [C2mim][NTf2] proved that only EIR1 (CR11) can effectively extract Dy compared to EIR2 (HP20) and EIR3 (SP207). The porosity of CR11 was higher compared to other resins which made EIR1 very efficient in adsorbing Dy. Plus, using 0.1 g of EIR1, 100% of Dy was extracted from 5 mL of aqueous phase in SLE compared to 2 mL of aqueous phase in LLE. Conclusively, this research has the potential to improvise the conventional practise of LLE into SLE using EIR with reduction in the use of extractant.
Repetitive movement can lead to the pain muscle, nerves, and tendons that cause by
repetitive overuse of working task. The muscle will fatigue due to; repetitive
movement, force that been applied, posture during working and duration of working.
The stress level during working can influent the energy performance usage during
working. The aim of this paper is to analyse the influence of heart rate and muscle
activity of workers in composite manufacturing towards muscle fatigue. The data was
collected for a worker in hand layup department and the Qualitative method was used
in a way to investigate the working load and level of pain received by their body. Then,
the Qualitative data was sorted and the respondent proceeded for a Quantitative
method which involves muscle activity analysis and heart rate analysis. The tools that
were used to conduct these experiments were surface electromyography (sEMG),
Wristwatch with chest strap and perceived stress scale (PSS). The experimentation
used to calculate the average reading of heart rate and muscle activity during working
and detect the duration the muscle to start fatigue. Moreover, this paper analysed the
relationship between heart rate and muscle activity through the duration of working.
As an overall finding of this research, it was shown that the heart rate of the workers
influence the muscle activity of workers and has high potential relationship to the
fatigue of muscles of the workers in the layup department.
Kaempferia galangal rhizome is one of the traditional medicinal plant species in
Zingiberaceae family and well known as “cekur” in Borneo. Rapid emergence of
multidrug resistance of V. cholerae biofilm has increased the failure of antibiotic
treatment in recent years. This research was designed to demonstrate the
antimicrobial activity of K. galangal rhizome extract against twenty six (n=26) V. cholera
biofilm which were isolated from outbreak in Limbang, Sarawak in 2016. K. galangal
rhizome was analyzed by methanol extraction and tested against biofilm of V. cholerae.
The susceptibility of V. cholerae towards K. galangal rhizome was evaluated using disk
diffusion method which showed a maximum zone of inhibition of 12.0 mm at 1000
mg/mL concentration. As a result, the MBEC50 of V. cholerae was between 125 mg/mL
to 250 mg/mL while more than 90% biofilm eradication (MBEC90) was achieved by 500
mg/mL extract concentration. Extract-treated cell showed change in the morphology
of V. cholerae by destruction of cell wall. K. galangal rhizome extract acts as a potent
antibiofilm agent with dual actions by preventing and eradicating the biofilm of V.
cholerae.
Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) is a device that generates electricity from the metabolism of
bacteria simultaneously treats wastewater by decolourizing the azo dye in wastewater.
In this work, the effect of different external loads and bacterial loads were examined.
The maximum open circuit voltage generated was 390 mV by using 7 consortia of
bacteria while the maximum current generated was 50 µA using 10 Ω resistor. 97%
decolourization efficiency of 0.1 g/L of azo dye was achieved after 5 days of operation.
Besides, the maximum current density and power density achieved were 17.9 µA/cm2
and 460 µW/cm2
respectively. Polarization curve was plotted and Scanning Electron
Microscope was applied to visualize the bacterial community attachment onto the
graphite felt electrode. Cyclic voltammetry was applied to study the redox properties
of the Azo dye using microorganisms in MFC. Overall, these 7 bacterial strains used in
this work showed the capability in decolourizing the Azo dye simultaneously producing
electricity in MFC.
The objective of this study is to characterized chitin from Leucaena leucephala pods at different aging stages with hydrochloric acid HCl by using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). Leucaena leucephala is chosen to be used in this study because it is abundantly and can be found easily along the road as it is widely spread in Malaysia and available throughout the year. Leucaena leucephala is not fully utilized yet and it could potential for new source for chitin. Results from FTIR shows that Amide I band in Leucaena leucephala before and after extraction range of 1650-1600cm-1 and is not divided into two peaks which make it appear close to a β-chitin. Beside, Amide I band of Leucaena leucephala before and after extraction is appearing wide (U-shaped) rather than sharp therefore the chitin from Leucaena leucephala is determined to be in the form of β- chitin.
This study aimed to integrate polyether sulfone (PES) membrane with hydroxyapatite synthesized from fish scale biowaste (HAp) to form ion exchange membrane. The PES incorporated by self-assembled with different concentrations of HAp solution; 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 wt%. The prepared ion exchange membranes were characterized regarding permeability coefficient, porosity, morphology, ion exchange capacity (IEC), AT-IR, and fouling analysis. The promising characteristics and outstanding performance demonstrated by PES membrane incorporated with 0.8 wt%. Via SEM images and ATIR spectra, the PES/HAp-0.8 membrane depicted the adequate number, well distributed and low agglomeration of HAp onto the membrane surface with a strong attachment. The membrane also demonstrated good ion exchange capacity around 49%. Permeability coefficient for PES/HAp-0.8 membrane was 101.5 L/m2.h with 87.69 % membrane porosity.
Plywood is a wood product frequently utilized in building as part of concrete formwork systems. In the concreting process, plywood formwork needs to be strongly made to withstand the pressure subjected by the wet concrete as well as the impact. To reduce the dependency on solid timber as plywood, oil palm stem offers alternative materials. There are four main weaknesses of oil palm stem (OPS) as a material for plywood manufacturing; high variations in density and moisture content (MC), high water absorption and high surface roughness. Therefore, this study modified the drying and treatment process of OPS veneer. The veneer was predried by using roller presser for removing a large amount of water and later treated with medium molecular weight phenolformaldehyde (MMwPF) to bond together parenchyma tissue, cell wall, and a lumen for much uniform density and better surface bonding. The Charpy impact of OPS plywood developed in this study denoted as PTA was investigated. These properties were compared with the properties of another two types of commercial OPS plywood denoted as PTB and PTC which were manufactured using OPS veneer with tropical hardwood veneer for face and back veneer and control plywood denoted as PTD which was manufactured using 100% tropical hardwood veneer. The results showed that PTA has the highest mean value of energy and strength for both notched and unnotched Charpy impact.
Piano technique is one of the main part of piano playing. Some researches had
attempted to unveil the technique of virtuoso pianists using technologies. These
researches employ different types of sensors in order to capture motion data of piano
playing. However, one area in this research had been under-represented, which is
finger position and pressure measurement applied by the musician while playing the
musical instrument. Research that embark on this area faced a common problem, the
sensors used in these research are directly in contact with the pianist, which causes a
change of piano playing experience. Since piano playing consists of very delicate
interaction between the pianist and the piano, such change of experience may affect
the pianist’s performance. These sensors are considered to be intrusive to the piano
playing experience. Concluding the challenges faced by current technologies, a nonintrusive
sensor is proposed and the circuit design of the sensor is discussed in this
paper.
Lightning is among the most deadly natural phenomena to mankind. This phenomenon
is seen to increase globally as well as in Malaysia. Lightning does strike open areas
such as playing fields and playgrounds and these areas are places people gather.
Sensors that can detect the early occurrence of lightning have been developed for
detecting approaching lightning activity in this project. The main objective is to provide
early lightning warning system to the public and hence to reduce the number of
fatalities due to lightning strike. The warning circuit was designed and simulated using
Multism11. Basic operational method of the circuit is based on the comparative
voltage method using LM339N integrated circuit comparator (IC). Light Emitting Diodes
(LEDs) were used as indicators to indicate if the incoming voltage level is higher or
lower than that of the safety level.