The reviewed work addressed the shift in focus from conventional polymers to bio-based and renewable polymers. The environmental attributes of the renewable polymers make them preferred choice of matrix. The propertie...The reviewed work addressed the shift in focus from conventional polymers to bio-based and renewable polymers. The environmental attributes of the renewable polymers make them preferred choice of matrix. The properties of the matrices from renewable origin could compete in high end applications. The composition of the fatty acids in plant seed oil was discussed and the determination of the level of unsaturation used the iodine value. This review also extensively discussed the values of various fatty acid components present in the oils. Areas of application of the thermosetting polymers obtained from plant seed oils were also discussed.展开更多
Given the recent developments of Internet of Things (IoT) researchers and academics are trying to utilize this concept for different innovative applications. One of those applications of IoT is the remote laboratories...Given the recent developments of Internet of Things (IoT) researchers and academics are trying to utilize this concept for different innovative applications. One of those applications of IoT is the remote laboratories, where real hardware/software experimentation systems can be controlled and manipulated over the web. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this has become almost essential for academic and research activities. The paper starts with highlighting the necessity and current status of remote laboratories in terms of shortcomings and possible recourse. With these in mind, the second part illustrates an infrastructure of a remote laboratory facility as well as describes the development of a number of prototype remote laboratories that are utilized for academic activities.展开更多
Machine-to-Machine (M2M) collaboration opens new opportunities where systems can collaborate without any human intervention and solve engineering problems efficiently and effectively. M2M is widely used for various ap...Machine-to-Machine (M2M) collaboration opens new opportunities where systems can collaborate without any human intervention and solve engineering problems efficiently and effectively. M2M is widely used for various application areas. Through this reported project authors developed a M2M system where a drone and two ground vehicles collaborate through a base station to implement a system that can be utilized for an indoor search and rescue operation. The model training for drone flight paths achieves almost 100% accuracy. It was also observed that the accuracy of the model increased with more training samples. Both the drone flight path and ground vehicle navigation are controlled from the base station. Machine learning is utilized for modelling of drone’s flight path as well as for ground vehicle navigation through obstacles. The developed system was implemented on a field trial within a corridor of a building, and it was demonstrated successfully.展开更多
The search for alternative energy and fuels has motivated researchers to focus on renewable and sustainable means of getting them instead of relying on the conventional way of energy and fuel production. Anaerobic dig...The search for alternative energy and fuels has motivated researchers to focus on renewable and sustainable means of getting them instead of relying on the conventional way of energy and fuel production. Anaerobic digestion is a biochemical process during which complex organic matter is decomposed in absence of oxygen, by various types of anaerobic microorganisms. The process of Anaerobic digestion is appropriate for all waste water treatment systems given that the solid can be introduced to the system at an acceptable concentration. Biogas, the product of anaerobic digestion process is a clean and renewable form of energy which can be a substitute for conventional sources of energy which are causing ecological-environmental problems and at the same time depleting at a faster rate. This paper reviews the anaerobic digestion process and its complexities;it covers different stages involved in the process, the substrate used in the process, the relationship between the substrate and microorganisms and important operating parameters such as pH, temperature and loading rate.展开更多
This review is based on the surface treatment of natural fibres which can be used in technical applications. Natural fibres on their own have some draw backs regarding moisture uptake, quality variations, low thermal ...This review is based on the surface treatment of natural fibres which can be used in technical applications. Natural fibres on their own have some draw backs regarding moisture uptake, quality variations, low thermal stability, and poor wettability. Insufficient adhesion between polymer matrix and fibre leads in time to debonding. Overcoming the weaknesses of these natural fibres gave the motivation for this study where physical and chemical methods of modification were considered. Physical methods such as electric discharge and mercerization were reported as well as the chemical methods such as graft copolymerization and treatment with isocyanates, and the results due to these modifications were discussed. This study reveals that natural fibres are good candidates for reinforcement but they have to be suitably treated to improve their properties if they are to be used in technical applications. The various fibre surface treatments actually improve the interfacial adhesion between the fibre surface and the matrix, thereby giving good mechanical properties to the resulted polymer composites.展开更多
Triglyceride oil of plant seed cannot be used on its own without further modification. The fatty acids must be suitably functionalized in order to add polymerisable functionalities which will help in the curing proces...Triglyceride oil of plant seed cannot be used on its own without further modification. The fatty acids must be suitably functionalized in order to add polymerisable functionalities which will help in the curing process. The purpose of these modifications is to reach a higher level of molecular weight and cross-link density, and also to incorporate chemical functionalities known to impart stiffness in a polymer network. The modification can go through various path ways which were described in this study.展开更多
The viability of some waste as cooling pads for evaporative cooling application in South-Western Nigeria was experimentally assessed.This is to ascertain their effectiveness as a substitute for costly imported pads in...The viability of some waste as cooling pads for evaporative cooling application in South-Western Nigeria was experimentally assessed.This is to ascertain their effectiveness as a substitute for costly imported pads in a low income environment.Also presented was the feasibility of utilizing standalone evaporative coolers for storage and selling of fruits in South-Western Nigeria.Natural ambient air was forced through the various pads at three different fan speeds and constant cooling pad thickness of 30 mm.Performance characteristics were considered based on daily analysis using temperature and humidity data measured from morning to evening at location co-ordinates latitude 7°10′N and longitude 5°05′E for 6 weeks.The daily temperature T and humidity h ranged between 26℃≤T≤45℃ and 28%≤h_(2)≤80%.Temperature differenceDT and humidity differenceDh of 0.6℃≤ΔT≤18.3℃ and 1.0%≤Δh≤53%was achieved for the four cooling pad materials tested at three fan speeds.HighestDT andDh was recorded at fan speed of 4 m/s with shredded latex foam and jute sack respectively.The cooling efficiency(η)calculated for all the pads under the three speeds ranged from 17.3%≤η≤98.8%.Payback period(PBP)analysis indicated the considered EVC is economically feasible and investors will break even in 1.75 years.展开更多
文摘The reviewed work addressed the shift in focus from conventional polymers to bio-based and renewable polymers. The environmental attributes of the renewable polymers make them preferred choice of matrix. The properties of the matrices from renewable origin could compete in high end applications. The composition of the fatty acids in plant seed oil was discussed and the determination of the level of unsaturation used the iodine value. This review also extensively discussed the values of various fatty acid components present in the oils. Areas of application of the thermosetting polymers obtained from plant seed oils were also discussed.
文摘Given the recent developments of Internet of Things (IoT) researchers and academics are trying to utilize this concept for different innovative applications. One of those applications of IoT is the remote laboratories, where real hardware/software experimentation systems can be controlled and manipulated over the web. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this has become almost essential for academic and research activities. The paper starts with highlighting the necessity and current status of remote laboratories in terms of shortcomings and possible recourse. With these in mind, the second part illustrates an infrastructure of a remote laboratory facility as well as describes the development of a number of prototype remote laboratories that are utilized for academic activities.
文摘Machine-to-Machine (M2M) collaboration opens new opportunities where systems can collaborate without any human intervention and solve engineering problems efficiently and effectively. M2M is widely used for various application areas. Through this reported project authors developed a M2M system where a drone and two ground vehicles collaborate through a base station to implement a system that can be utilized for an indoor search and rescue operation. The model training for drone flight paths achieves almost 100% accuracy. It was also observed that the accuracy of the model increased with more training samples. Both the drone flight path and ground vehicle navigation are controlled from the base station. Machine learning is utilized for modelling of drone’s flight path as well as for ground vehicle navigation through obstacles. The developed system was implemented on a field trial within a corridor of a building, and it was demonstrated successfully.
文摘The search for alternative energy and fuels has motivated researchers to focus on renewable and sustainable means of getting them instead of relying on the conventional way of energy and fuel production. Anaerobic digestion is a biochemical process during which complex organic matter is decomposed in absence of oxygen, by various types of anaerobic microorganisms. The process of Anaerobic digestion is appropriate for all waste water treatment systems given that the solid can be introduced to the system at an acceptable concentration. Biogas, the product of anaerobic digestion process is a clean and renewable form of energy which can be a substitute for conventional sources of energy which are causing ecological-environmental problems and at the same time depleting at a faster rate. This paper reviews the anaerobic digestion process and its complexities;it covers different stages involved in the process, the substrate used in the process, the relationship between the substrate and microorganisms and important operating parameters such as pH, temperature and loading rate.
文摘This review is based on the surface treatment of natural fibres which can be used in technical applications. Natural fibres on their own have some draw backs regarding moisture uptake, quality variations, low thermal stability, and poor wettability. Insufficient adhesion between polymer matrix and fibre leads in time to debonding. Overcoming the weaknesses of these natural fibres gave the motivation for this study where physical and chemical methods of modification were considered. Physical methods such as electric discharge and mercerization were reported as well as the chemical methods such as graft copolymerization and treatment with isocyanates, and the results due to these modifications were discussed. This study reveals that natural fibres are good candidates for reinforcement but they have to be suitably treated to improve their properties if they are to be used in technical applications. The various fibre surface treatments actually improve the interfacial adhesion between the fibre surface and the matrix, thereby giving good mechanical properties to the resulted polymer composites.
文摘Triglyceride oil of plant seed cannot be used on its own without further modification. The fatty acids must be suitably functionalized in order to add polymerisable functionalities which will help in the curing process. The purpose of these modifications is to reach a higher level of molecular weight and cross-link density, and also to incorporate chemical functionalities known to impart stiffness in a polymer network. The modification can go through various path ways which were described in this study.
文摘The viability of some waste as cooling pads for evaporative cooling application in South-Western Nigeria was experimentally assessed.This is to ascertain their effectiveness as a substitute for costly imported pads in a low income environment.Also presented was the feasibility of utilizing standalone evaporative coolers for storage and selling of fruits in South-Western Nigeria.Natural ambient air was forced through the various pads at three different fan speeds and constant cooling pad thickness of 30 mm.Performance characteristics were considered based on daily analysis using temperature and humidity data measured from morning to evening at location co-ordinates latitude 7°10′N and longitude 5°05′E for 6 weeks.The daily temperature T and humidity h ranged between 26℃≤T≤45℃ and 28%≤h_(2)≤80%.Temperature differenceDT and humidity differenceDh of 0.6℃≤ΔT≤18.3℃ and 1.0%≤Δh≤53%was achieved for the four cooling pad materials tested at three fan speeds.HighestDT andDh was recorded at fan speed of 4 m/s with shredded latex foam and jute sack respectively.The cooling efficiency(η)calculated for all the pads under the three speeds ranged from 17.3%≤η≤98.8%.Payback period(PBP)analysis indicated the considered EVC is economically feasible and investors will break even in 1.75 years.
