Journals of Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)
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The Influence of Carbon Powder on the Physical, Mechanical and Absorption Properties of Carbon Foam from Natural Precursor Starch
Get PDFThis study was fabricated the starch-based carbon foam with sodium borate as the blowing agent and reinforced with carbon powder. The effect of carbon powder on the physical, mechanical and adsorption properties was investigated. The temperature of foaming and carbonization was fixed but the carbon powder percentage was varied in the range between 2wt% to 8wt%. The physical properties of the carbon foam analysed by the density and porosity, pore morphology was analysed by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and carbon bonding was observed through Fourier-infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The percentage of the carbon powder inside the carbon foam influence the properties of the carbon foam. The higher the content of the carbon powder, the higher the bulk density but low porosity. The results of the pore morphology using the SEM proved the size of the pore decreases as the carbon powder percentage increase inside the carbon foam. The FTIR analysis shows the carbon bonding. Furthermore, the maximum stress and maximum force applied also rises as the carbon powder increases. The highest value of maximum stress was achieved by carbon foam with 8wt% of carbon powder which is 1.71345 N/mm² respectively. Since the bulk density is higher, the oil adsorption lower due to small porosity of the carbon foam. The characteristic remains for all parameters when the reusability test implemented by burning the carbon foam. The objectives of the study achieved and the effect of carbon powder to carbon foam proven
Implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) for the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Phase of the Building Life Cycle in Malaysia
Get PDFFacilities Management (FM) plays a pivotal role in the operation and maintenance (O&M) phase of a building\u27s life cycle. Despite various data management systems available for building maintenance, manual processes that deal with scattered and unformatted data still dominate. Building Information Modelling (BIM), a digital method introduced in the construction sector, has demonstrated its potential to enhance efficiency throughout a building\u27s life cycle. However, its full potential in revolutionizing facilities management during the O&M phase remains largely unexplored and minimally implemented in Malaysia. This study has three objectives: to examine the implementation of BIM for the O&M phase, identify barriers to the implementation, and propose strategies to improve its implementation. Data was collected through questionnaires. The findings reveal that BIM adoption is in its early stages, with limited projects related to BIM. Critical barriers to implement BIM include the high-cost investment, lack of technical expertise, complex facility information, lack of preparation of materials and equipment by academic institutions, and unclear workflows within organisations. The study recommends key strategies such as comprehensive training, BIM education to reduce technical issues related to files and systems, secured funding, collaboration among FM stakeholders, and clearly defined objectives. These findings highlight the barriers the current FM practice faces and provide a roadmap for implementing BIM for the O&M phase of the building life cycle in Malaysia
Tahap Pengetahuan Membina Item Ujian dalam Kalangan Pensyarah TVET: Level of Knowledge in Test Item Construction among TVET Lecturers
Get PDFMalay:
Walaupun pembinaan item ujian adalah aspek penting dalam menilai keberkesanan pengajaran dan pembelajaran di institusi pengajian tinggi, masih terdapat pendidik yang kurang menguasai kemahiran membina item ujian yang selaras dengan objektif pembelajaran. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti tahap pengetahuan membina item ujian dalam kalangan pensyarah di Fakulti Pendidikan Teknikal dan Vokasional (FPTV) serta mengkaji hubungan antara tahap pengetahuan tersebut dengan pengalaman mengajar dan perbezaan dengan kelayakan ikhtisas pendidikan. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dan menggunakan kaedah tinjauan melalui borang soal selidik yang diedarkan kepada pensyarah FPTV. Responden dipilih melalui kaedah persampelan rawak, yang terdiri daripada pensyarah dengan dan tanpa ikhtisas pendidikan. Seramai 37 pensyarah telah menjawab borang soal selidik yang telah diedarkan. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa tahap pengetahuan membina item ujian dalam kalangan pensyarah FPTV adalah tinggi. Walau bagaimanapun, tiada hubungan yang signifikan antara pengalaman mengajar dengan tahap pengetahuan membina item ujian. Selain itu, kajian ini juga mendapati tiada perbezaan yang signifikan dalam tahap pengetahuan membina item ujian antara pensyarah yang mempunyai ikhtisas pendidikan dan yang tidak mempunyai ikhtisas pendidikan. Kesimpulannya, walaupun tahap pengetahuan membina item ujian adalah tinggi dalam kalangan pensyarah FPTV, pengalaman mengajar dan kelayakan ikhtisas pendidikan tidak memainkan peranan yang signifikan. Implikasi daripada kajian ini mencadangkan bahawa latihan berterusan dalam pembinaan item ujian adalah penting untuk semua pensyarah, tanpa mengira latar belakang pendidikan mereka, bagi memastikan kualiti penilaian yang konsisten dan berkesan dalam pengajaran dan pembelajaran.
English:
The construction of test items is an important aspect in evaluating the success of teaching and learning at the higher education level. This study aims to identify the level of knowledge of building test items among lecturers at the Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education (FPTV) as well as examine the relationship between the level of knowledge and teaching experience and differences with educational specialist qualifications. This study uses a quantitative approach and uses a survey method through a questionnaire distributed to FPTV lecturers. Respondents were selected through a random sampling method, consisting of lecturers with and without educational specialization. A total of 37 lecturers have answered the questionnaire that has been distributed. The results of the study show that the level of knowledge of constructing test items among FPTV lecturers is high. However, there is no significant relationship between teaching experience and the level of knowledge of constructing test items. In addition, this study also found no significant difference in the level of knowledge of constructing test items between lecturers who have an education specialization and those who do not have an education specialization. In conclusion, although the level of knowledge of constructing test items is high among FPTV lecturers, teaching experience and educational qualifications do not play a significant role. Implications from this study suggest that ongoing training in the construction of test items is important for all lecturers, regardless of their educational background, to ensure consistent and effective assessment quality in teaching and learning
Exploring The Relationship between Personal Factors and Digital Competency Using The DigComp Framework among Vocational College Students
Get PDFThe rapid expansion of digital technologies has transformed the skills demanded by modern economies, prompting educational institutions to adapt accordingly. Within Malaysia’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system, digital competencies are now emphasized as essential components of employability and lifelong learning. This study investigates the relationship between personal factors and digital competency levels among students in a Vocational College in Johor, guided by the European Commission’s DigComp Framework. A quantitative survey was conducted among 182 students across diploma and certificate programs. The instrument, adapted from the DigComp Self-Assessment Tool (DigCompSAT), assessed five key digital dimensions: information and data literacy, communication and collaboration, digital content creation, safety, and problem solving. Correlational analysis revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between personal factors, namely, access to ICT resources and participation in ICT-related training, and students’ digital competence levels. The findings suggest that individual exposure to digital environments outside formal education contributes meaningfully to students’ readiness for digitally mediated work contexts. The study highlights the need for enhanced access to digital infrastructure and targeted skills training as part of institutional strategies to strengthen digital readiness among vocational learners. These findings carry important implications for curriculum developers, TVET policymakers, and institutional leadership, who are responsible for ensuring that graduate competencies remain responsive to the dynamic requirements of the digital economy. Specifically, the integration of structured digital skills training, equitable access to digital infrastructure, and alignment of learning outcomes with the Malaysian Qualification Framework for digital competency should be prioritized to better prepare students for the realities of a technology-driven workforce
Developing Perception-Based Themes for Assessing Peri-Urban Landscape Elements
Get PDFPeri-urban areas in developing countries are increasingly vulnerable to rapid development, which transforms their distinctive physical landscape elements. Identifying which elements are most exposed to change is essential for effective planning, management, and conservation. However, systematic and validated approaches for capturing these elements from community perspectives remain limited, particularly in peri-urban contexts. This study aimed to develop and validate a set of themes that could guide the construction of reliable questionnaires for assessing changes in peri-urban landscape elements within the context of Asia and Oceania. Drawing on the concepts of landscape character, land use change, and peri-urban development, a systematic literature review was conducted to identify relevant articles. Selected articles were coded and analysed using Atlas. ti, producing eight initial themes and 42 sub-themes, which were subsequently refined through expert evaluation into five key themes: landforms, natural vegetation, water bodies, agriculture, and heritage. These validated themes serve as a robust conceptual foundation for questionnaire development, ensuring that subsequent instruments are both context-specific and methodologically sound. In doing so, the study not only advances the methodological basis for peri-urban research but also offers practical guidance for scholars and practitioners seeking to design evidence-based tools for planning and regional development
Economic Viability Analysis of Electric Bikes over Conventional Bikes
Get PDFIn India, two-wheelers have taken over the transportation industry, with a large portion of the vehicles sold in the country and being used as a major means of transportation. The trend of sustainable transport in the world has made electric vehicles (EVs) an attractive alternative to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, which can potentially save energy and minimize greenhouse gas emissions. Nevertheless, the lack of clarity in the total cost of ownership (TCO) is a barrier to EV adoption in India. The paper is a comparison of TCO of electric two-wheelers (E2Ws) and ICE bikes based on real-world models such as the Revolt RV400 and Honda CB Shine 125cc. The initial costs, running costs (electricity/fuel), and the cost of replacing the battery are calculated using a methodological cost framework, which is supported with the EV Calculator Pro application. The findings indicate that EV running costs (0.25-0.98/km) are 31-67 percent less than ICE costs (1.42-2.00/km), and the Revolt RV400 saves 67 percent compared to the Honda CB Shine. The costs of battery replacement (0.40-0.48/km) are also a major consideration. The paper finds that EVs can be cost-effective and is environmentally friendly and suggests that the policy measures, such as subsidies and charging networks, should be implemented to increase adoption
Egg Defects Detection Using Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory Network
Get PDFEggs are a vital nutritional resource globally, making their inspection crucial for maintaining quality and ensuring food safety. Motivated by this need, a machine vision system incorporating deep learning techniques was developed to detect egg defects. The machine vision system has a rotating mechanism that allows for comprehensive visualization of the egg surface from various angles, leading to a more accurate assessment. The proposed system leverages deep feature extraction using a pre-trained convolutional neural network and analyses these features with a Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) network. The types of egg defects that this study aimed to detect were bloodstained, cracked and dirty eggs. A total of 400 eggs sample were used with 6 images per egg resulting with a dataset of 2400 images for the proposed deep learning method. The performance evaluation of the model revealed an accuracy of 97.71% in detecting egg defects, with a recall score of 0.9788, a specificity score of 0.9926, a precision score of 0.9770, and a F1 score of 0.9770. Comparisons with other state-of-the-art deep learning and machine learning methods like (SVM, VGG16, YOLOv5) indicate that the proposed model has certain advantages and does not differ much in terms of accuracy for defect detection. The result from this study demonstrates the potential of sequential feature modelling for robust egg defect detection.
Carbonised Agro-Waste Adsorbents for Automotive Lubricating Oil Removal
Get PDFThe increasing generation of waste lubricating oil, driven by expanding industrial and automotive activity, poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems due to its persistence, hydrophobicity, and complex chemical composition. This study evaluates two abundant agro-waste residues: rice husk (RH) and sugarcane bagasse (SB) as potential adsorbents for lubricating oil removal. Both biomasses were pre-treated with 0.1 M NaOH to enhance surface porosity and hydrophobicity, followed by carbonisation at 550 °C. Three adsorbent formulations were prepared based on RH:SB weight ratios of 24:6, 15:15, and 6:24 g. Batch experiments were conducted at oil concentration of 25, 30, and 35 v/v% and contact times of 10, 20, and 30 min using a fixed 30g adsorbent dosage of RH and SB. The response behaviour was further examined using ANOVA and contour-plot analysis under Response Surface Methodology to interpret factor interactions and adsorption trends. All adsorbent mixtures demonstrated high removal efficiencies, achieving up to 100% oil removal, with the 15:15 g ratio showing the most consistent performance at 20 v/v% of oil concentration. FTIR analysis confirmed key lignocellulosic functional groups such as hydroxyl, carbonyl, methylene, aromatic structures which supporting the strong intermolecular interactions responsible for oil removal. Overall, the findings demonstrate that carbonised RH and SB are viable, low-cost, and environmentally sustainable adsorbents capable of efficiently removing used lubricating oil.
Design and Fabrication of Smart Tap for Finger Protection During Hammering
Get PDFThis study presents the design and fabrication of an innovative Smart Tap tool aimed at improving efficiency and precision in construction and woodworking activities. Although various market-ready nail holders are available, many lack ergonomic integration with the user’s grip and provide limited control to prevent nail or screw buckling during installation. The Smart Tap addresses these limitations through a user-friendly, ergonomically designed nail holder created in SolidWorks, which conforms naturally to the hand for improved ease of use and accurate placement. An impact test was conducted to evaluate the durability and performance of the holder under dynamic forces. Among three tested thicknesses, the 6 mm variant demonstrated the highest energy absorption and was selected as the optimal design. The tool was fabricated using advanced three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques, ensuring high dimensional accuracy and efficient translation from digital design to a functional product. The results confirm the Smart Tap’s effectiveness in minimizing nail buckling and enhancing operational precision, offering clear ergonomic and functional advantages over existing designs and demonstrating strong potential for broader application in hammering-related tasks
An Integrated Self-Diagnostic and Communication System for Autonomous Trash Can Robots
Get PDFThis paper introduces two interrelated supporting features of an intelligent trash can robot systems: an AI (Artificial Intelligent)-driven self-diagnostic system and an IoT (Internet of Things) communication system for human-robot collaboration. The self-diagnostic system assesses the robot\u27s operational status based on internal and external parameters. When critical conditions arise, such as a full trash can, low battery, or operational failure, the robot communicates with personnel via a Telegram bot, providing real-time status updates. Experimental results demonstrate that the Naive Bayes-based self-diagnostic system achieves an accuracy of 96.67% and an F1 score of 0.95. Furthermore, a developed communication system based on MySQL database significantly reduces data transmission time from 5 seconds using Wemos D1 mini to under 2 seconds