Journals of Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)
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Conventional Friction Stir Welding and Bobbin Friction Stir Welding for Joining Space Grade Aluminium Alloy 6061-T6 by an Industry-compatible Way: A Comparative Study
Get PDFFriction Stir Welding (FSW) is a modern solid-state joining process. It joins materials without allowing them to melt, with minimal change in their properties. There are multiple types of FSW based on the method of implementation. In the current study, the two most common techniques of FSW, known as Conventional Friction Stir Welding (CFSW) and Bobbin Friction Stir Welding (BFSW), are employed to fabricate butt joints of space-grade aluminum alloy 6061-T6 by utilizing the conventional milling machine, in-house development of FSW tool and heat treating the high temperature steel (H-13) using low cost steel foil method. Two different types of tools were manufactured, heat treated and FSW was performed. The comparison of the properties attained by the butt joints are presented in this study. Two welds were successful out of four successful experiments performed, which were found to contain an average tensile strength of 128 MPa along with 65-97% of average base metal hardness. It was also concluded that BFSW is more reliable for longer joints
The Development of the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem and Digital Technology in Vocational Education
Get PDFThis study examines the development of the entrepreneurship ecosystem and the integration of digital technology in vocational education, with a specific focus on public vocational schools in West Java Province, Indonesia. The analysis is based on two main frameworks: the entrepreneurship ecosystem, comprising actor-related and factor-related elements, and the digital technology ecosystem, which encompasses aspects of hardware, software, and brainwaves. The research employs a cross-sectional survey method within a quantitative descriptive evaluation design. The sample comprises vocational school teachers and students selected using Slovin’s formula to ensure proportional representation. Data were collected using a validated and reliable structured questionnaire. The results were analyzed using frequency distribution and the Respondent Achievement Level (RAL) approach. The findings reveal significant variability across schools and indicators. Several digital technology indicators, such as the availability of free internet and the completeness of extracurricular entrepreneurship facilities, scored below 50%, indicating major areas for improvement. In contrast, indicators reflecting an entrepreneurial mindset and behavior, such as resilience, talent, and leadership, scored above 80%, demonstrating strong internal readiness for entrepreneurship development. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions in underperforming schools and continuous enhancement in schools already excelling. Inter-school collaboration is recommended, where high-performing schools can serve as best practice models to uplift others. These findings contribute valuable insights for vocational education stakeholders and policymakers, particularly in formulating strategies to enhance entrepreneurship education and foster digital-technology-based entrepreneurial competencies among students. Ultimately, the research supports the development of more adaptive and innovative vocational education ecosystems
Raw Hard Clam as Adsorbent to Remove Phosphate in Water: Removal Prediction, Kinetic and Isotherm Model Study
Get PDFPhosphorus pollution from various sources like agriculture, untreated industry, and domestic wastewater is a significant cause of water contamination. It can trigger eutrophication, marked by an excessive supply of nutrients that fuel the rapid growth of algae and aquatic plants. This, in turn, can lead to harmful algal blooms, severely reducing oxygen levels in the water and affecting marine life, including fish and other creatures suffering from the lack of oxygen. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how effectively raw hard clam shells remove phosphate from synthetic wastewater through batch experimental testing. Batch experiments were conducted using raw hard clam shells (particle sizes 1.18 to 2.36 mm) mixed in an orbital shaker at 170 rpm using potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution, 100 mL at a particular time, until an equilibrium state. The batch experiment data evaluating phosphate removal from raw hard clam shells had the highest removal effectiveness of 99.6%. The kinetic study proves that the predominant adsorption mechanism between the adsorbent and adsorbate involves chemisorption, where electron sharing occurs, forming chemical bonds. The adsorption isotherm data showed suitability for the Langmuir model, indicating that adsorption happens at particular binding sites in monolayer adsorption on the adsorbent surface. Additionally, the data can be used to understand the prediction contour of mass of adsorbent required and removal efficiency under various beginning concentrations from research using batch experiments. The significant potential of this study is that the Raw Hard Clam Shells adsorbent is a sustainable and eco-friendly material for tackling phosphate pollution in future wastewater treatment
Exploring the Application of Deep Learning in Enhancing The QLASSIC: A Review
Get PDFAs society evolves, there is an increasing demand for quality living spaces. However, defects in new housing have become a growing concern for homeowners. To address this, the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) introduced the Quality Assessment System in Construction (QLASSIC), quantifying construction quality. Meanwhile, deep learning has emerged as a highly accurate method for defect detection, surpassing traditional techniques and gaining widespread use in various industrial applications. This paper searches and analyzes 181 articles\u27 keywords by the google scholar database. It first explores housing quality assessment practices from various countries as the research background. Then it centers on reviewing the current QLASSIC practices. Since QLASSIC evaluates construction quality largely through visual defects (comprising approximately 70% of its criteria), the potential application of deep learning, which has attracted significant interest, is also being discussed. Towards the end of this review paper, future research directions are also suggested
Development of an IoE Framework and Dashboard for a Low Energy House Using Python
Get PDFThe field of Internet of Everything (IoE) represents a significant evolution in technology, building upon the foundation of the Internet of Things (IoT) by integrating not just devices, but people and processes as well. This paper addresses the challenge of enhancing a Smart Home environment by transitioning from a mere IoT setup to a comprehensive IoE framework. The research aimed to extend an existing IoT system to IoE by integrating additional components such as actuators, enhanced data analytics, and remote access, thereby connecting the unconnected in smart home setups. Key findings include a framework that recommends potential integration of sensors and actuators for automated home management, and the creation of a user-friendly dashboard for real-time monitoring and control. The study contributes to the field by demonstrating how an IoT system can be extended to IoE and in so doing improve energy efficiency and user experience in Smart Homes. It also highlights potential security and privacy challenges inherent in such interconnected systems
Effect Of Annealing Time On The Properties Of Interstacked Magnesium-Doped Cu₂O/Cuo Thin Films
Get PDFCuprous oxide (Cu₂O) is an attractive candidate for cost-effective and sustainable solar cells due to its direct bandgap and natural p-type conductivity. We report on the investigation of the effect of annealing time on the morphological, optical, structural and electrical properties of interstacked Mg:Cu₂O/CuO thin films. The thin films were synthesized using the electrodeposition method of Cu₂O layers on indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate followed by annealing at 300°C for different durations (60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes). As a result, we found that by increasing annealing time up to 180 minutes, the formation of CuO thin film increases, surpassing the Cu₂O as revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The band gaps remain constant at 2.5 eV, irrespective of annealing time. Carrier concentration increased upon the annealing time, reaching a value of 2.255 x 10²¹ (/cm³), which demonstrates the complementary effects of magnesium (Mg) doping and annealing time
Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Substrate Surface Energy and Ink Surface Tension Effects on Deposition of Conductive Ink
Get PDFPrecise control of conductive ink deposition remains challenging in printed electronics manufacturing, where substrate variability significantly impacts pattern fidelity and electrical performance. This investigation comprehensively examines how substrate surface energy (SSE) and ink surface tension (ST) interactions govern the formation of line width through integrated computational-experimental methodology. Using Ansys Fluent with enhanced Volume of Fluid modelling, seventeen substrate materials covering surface energies from 16.49 to 65.39 mJ/m² were analysed to establish quantitative deposition relationships. The computational framework incorporated a modified formulation accounting for contact angle dynamics and substrate-specific wetting behaviour. Silver conductive ink particles were deposited via controlled droplet methodology to isolate surface energy effects from dispensing variables. Results demonstrate 87.9% variation in line width across the investigated spectrum, with optimal deposition occurring within a narrow SSE range of 40-45 mJ/m². FR4 substrates achieved target line widths with minimal deviation (+2.3%), while ceramic materials exceeded targets by up to 53.8%. The enhanced model exhibited a substantial reduction in prediction error compared to conventional approaches, particularly within the optimal surface energy window, where errors remained below 6%. These findings provide manufacturers with actionable guidelines for substrate selection and surface treatment optimization, challenging current quality control paradigms while offering pathways toward more predictable, sustainable manufacturing processes in aerospace structural health monitoring and precision electronics applications.
 
Techno-Economic Analysis of a Hybrid PV/Wind-Diesel Grid-Connected System for the Great Man-Made River Project’s Wellfields, Libya
Get PDFThe Great Man-Made River (GMMR) wellfields in southern Libya are critical to national water security but rely heavily on fossil-fuel electricity, resulting in high operational costs, grid instability, and elevated greenhouse-gas emissions. This paper presents a comprehensive techno-economic and environmental feasibility of integrating large-scale hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) across five major GMMR wellfields, Sarir, Tazerbo, Al‑Hasouna, Al‑Kufra, and Ghadames, using HOMER Pro. Site-specific configurations were optimized and evaluated using key performance indicators, including Net Present Cost (NPC), and Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE). Environmental performance was estimated using HOMER’s emissions model. Sensitivity analyses examined the influence of solar and wind variability on economic outcomes. Optimized HRES configurations resulted in significant cost savings, reducing NPC by over 0.095/kWh, while Tazerbo had the highest at $0.139/kWh. CO₂ emissions were reduced by up to 69%, and payback periods ranged from 2.0 years (Al-Kufra) to 5.2 years (Sarir). These findings highlight the viability of large-scale HRES for sustainable water-pumping operations, offering a robust model for energy-water infrastructure in resource-scarce regions. Beyond technical and economic benefits, HRES adoption would reduce fossil fuel dependence, mitigate environmental impacts, and enhance operational resilience, supporting energy security and sustainable development in Libya and similar regions worldwide.
Energy Profiling and Building Energy Index for Residential College of Government University
Get PDFBuilding energy profiling involves analyzing and understanding energy consumption across various systems within a building. The growing number of students residing in UTHM\u27s residential college has resulted in increased energy consumption, which leads to energy waste and higher operational expenses. For this study, Tun Dr. Ismail Residential College (KKTDI) was selected to examine its energy consumption patterns and the breakdown of energy usage and also determine the Building Energy Index (BEI). The energy profiling process at UTHM Residential College comprised several stages: selecting a suitable building for the audit, collecting both desktop and field data, analyzing energy consumption patterns, identifying the breakdown of energy usage within the building systems, and calculating the BEI for KKTDI Residential College. The results reveal that KKTDI displays a varied energy consumption pattern throughout 2023. Weekly energy profiling indicates that energy consumption on weekdays is slightly higher than on weekends. In contrast, daily energy consumption patterns show that energy usage remains stable during weekdays compared to weekends. The analysis of energy usage within the building systems reveals that general equipment is the largest contributor to energy consumption, followed by lighting and the Air Conditioning and Mechanical Ventilation (ACMV) system. The BEI for KKTDI is lower than the MS1525:2019 BEI standard, indicating that the residential college uses less energy to meet its operational requirements. These findings emphasize the value of analyzing energy utilization in buildings to identify consumption patterns and assess building efficiency. This data can be leveraged in the future to locate inefficiencies and pinpoint potential energy savings throughout the building
The Correlation of Tool Wear, Tool Failure and Diameter Cylindricity on Drilling Application of Aircraft Component
Get PDFIn aircraft manufacturing, precision drilling is essential for ensuring the structural integrity of aircraft components, particularly when working with aluminum alloys like Al6061. A key challenge arises from tool wear, which compromises the accuracy of cylindrical hole dimensions. This study investigates the relationship between drill bit wear and the resulting hole dimensions under varying feed rates. Using six different feed rates, experiments were conducted on Al6061 plates to assess the impact of tool wear on hole cylindricity. The findings reveal a direct correlation between increased tool wear and larger cylindrical hole diameters. Among the tested feed rates, 0.26 mm/rev demonstrated optimal performance, showing consistent patterns in which drill bit wear was minimized, resulting in improved precision compared to higher or lower feed rates. These results highlight the importance of selecting appropriate feed rates to maintain drilling accuracy and reduce tool wear. In the present study, a feed rate of 0.260 mm/rev provided the best drilling performance, particularly with Drills 3 and 6. However, inconsistencies were noted with Drill 5 at a feed rate of 0.33 mm/rev, which could be attributed to residual Build Up Edges (BUE) making the assessment of tool wear more complex. In conclusion, this finding provides valuable insights into improving precision in drilling operations, ultimately contributing to more reliable and durable aircraft structures