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Review of High Relative Humidity in a Catheter Laboratory of a Private Hospital and a Low Energy Consuming Solution

Jaya Prathab T. Arumugam a,*, Kamran Shavarebi b
b Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts & Science, IUMW
Published on 01 March 2021

Abstract: The Relative Humidity in a Catheter Laboratory is desirous to be controlled within a range of 30 to 65% RH. A maximum Relative Humidity (RH) fluctuation of up to 70% is tolerated. A case study is presented whereby a high RH of up to 80% RH has been recorded in the examination room of a Catheter Laboratory (CathLab) in a local Hospital. The conditioned air to the CathLab is supplied through an existing dedicated Chilled Water Air Handling Unit. Two (2) solutions were considered and the technical and commercial comparisons carried out. The first option is an inline dehumidifier system and the second option is to install a portable standalone dehumidifier inside the CathLab examination room. Solutions to address the high Relative Humidity have to be carefully considered as the introduction of in-line dehumidifiers contribute to higher energy consumption. The latter was selected based on commercial reasons. Three (3) weeks of RH monitoring via the building’s Integrated Building Management System (IBMS) was carried out. The readings measured show a drastic reduction in RH to a mean of about 60% RH which meets the end user’s requirement. The cost for the second option was also found to be much lower at about 10% of the first option.
Full paper access: https://doi.org/10.34256/irjmt2122

Metal Nanoparticles in TiO2-SiO2 Composite as an Efficient Solar-Activated Photocatalyst: A Review Pape

Collin G. Joseph1,2,3*, Yun Hin Taufiq-Yap4,5,3, Baba Musta2, Mohd Sani Sarjadi 3 and L. Elilarasi 1,6
Published on 29 January 2021

Over the last decade, interest in the utilisation of solar energy for photocatalysis treatment processes has taken centre-stage. Researchers had focused on doping TiO2 with SiO2 to obtain an efficient degradation rate of various types of target pollutants both under UV and visible-light irradiation. In order to further improve this degradation effect, some researchers resorted to incorporate plasmonic metal nanoparticles such as silver and gold into the combined TiO2-SiO2 to fully optimise the TiO2-SiO2’s potential in the visible light region. This article focuses on the challenges in utilising TiO2 in the visible-light region, the contribution of SiO2 in enhancing photocatalytic activities of the TiO2-SiO2 photocatalyst, and the ability of plasmonic metal nanoparticles (Ag and Au) to edge the TiO2-SiO2 photocatalyst toward an efficient solar photocatalyst.

Competency Development and Management in Malaysian Railway Traffic Management System

Ts. Shanmuga Sundaram, Dr Kamran Shavarebi
Published on 25 December 2020

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a systematic approach to develop and manage the competencies of employees in the field of Traffic Management Systems (TMS) in the Malaysian railway industry. The outcome of this research shall conclude a framework for competence management and define a benchmark for practices in this industry. Previous studies in competency management in the field of TMS are mainly limited to the non-Malaysian railway industry and other types of railway networks. This descriptive quantitative research study uses suitable competency models to explore the competence of TMS employees. Following this, suitable techniques and learning methods are proposed for Malaysian railway TMS operation employees. This whole process is summarised as a competence management framework.

Capturing and reusing knowledge: analysing the what, how and why for construction planning and control

Jeffrey Boon Hui Yap, Kamran ShavarebI & Martin Skitmore
Published on 08 Jun 2020

Learning from project experience is still lacking in the area of construction planning and control. A significant challenge is in deciding precisely ‘what’ engenders learning and ‘how’ knowledge can be reused. This study appraises critical learning situations (CLS) and the types of project knowledge to be reused to sustainably build capacity and improve the performance of construction projects. Given the underexplored area of study, an exploratory sequential mixed-method research approach was adopted. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts and local practitioners to gain an in-depth insight into CLS and reusable project knowledge (RPK) pertinent to construction projects. Further, questionnaire survey responses from 338 construction practitioners in Malaysia were analysed. The findings reveal that construction time and cost control make a significant positive impact when past project experiences enhance expert judgements and stimulate knowledge reuse on future projects. Thus, the effective and efficient management of project knowledge should be optimised and considered of strategic value, giving rise to improved competency and sustainability within the construction industry.
Full paper access: https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2020.1774676

Metal to semiconductor transition of two-dimensional NbSe2 through hydrogen adsorption: A first-principles study

K. H. Yeoh1, K. H. Chew, T. L. Yoon, Rusi, Y. H. R. Chang, and D. S. Ong.
Published on August 2020 in ISI journal (Tier 2/Q2 ISI)

This paper explores the possibility of controlling the magnetism in a defective two-dimensional (2D). Based on density functional theory, we have investigated the effects of in-plane biaxial strain on the electronic and magnetic properties of the two-dimensional GaN (2D GaN) with Ga- (VGa) or N-vacancy (VN). We considered two different levels of vacancy concentration, i.e., θ=1/62 and θ=1/34. While the pristine GaN 2D structures are intrinsically semiconducting, the 2D GaN with VGa defects under tensile/compressive biaxial strains is metallic, except at a high compressive strain of 6%. In addition, the 2D GaN exhibits a strain-tunable magnetic property by introducing the VGa defects, where the magnetic moment can be modulated by applying a biaxial strain on the material. A compressive strain larger than 2% tends to suppress the magnetic effect. A drastic reduction of the total magnetization from 2.21 μB to 0.16 μB is clearly visible for a lower VGa concentration of θ=1/62. On the other hand, the 2D GaN with VN defects is nonmagnetic, and this behaviour is not affected by the biaxial strain.
Full paper access: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5132417

Strain-tunable electronic and magnetic properties of two-dimensional gallium nitride with vacancy defects

K. H. Yeoh1, K. H. Chew, T. L. Yoon, Rusi and D. S. Ong.
Published on January 2020 in ISI journal Tier 2 (Journal of applied physics)

This paper explores the possibility of controlling the magnetism in a defective two-dimensional (2D). Based on density functional theory, we have investigated the effects of in-plane biaxial strain on the electronic and magnetic properties of the two-dimensional GaN (2D GaN) with Ga- (VGa) or N-vacancy (VN). We considered two different levels of vacancy concentration, i.e., θ=1/62 and θ=1/34. While the pristine GaN 2D structures are intrinsically semiconducting, the 2D GaN with VGa defects under tensile/compressive biaxial strains is metallic, except at a high compressive strain of 6%. In addition, the 2D GaN exhibits a strain-tunable magnetic property by introducing the VGa defects, where the magnetic moment can be modulated by applying a biaxial strain on the material. A compressive strain larger than 2% tends to suppress the magnetic effect. A drastic reduction of the total magnetization from 2.21 μB to 0.16 μB is clearly visible for a lower VGa concentration of θ=1/62. On the other hand, the 2D GaN with VN defects is nonmagnetic, and this behaviour is not affected by the biaxial strain.
Full paper access: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5132417

Fabrication of polyaniline nanorods on electro-etched carbon cloth and its electrochemical activities as electrode materials

Razali, S.A., Rusi & Majid, S.R
Published on Jan 2019 in ISI Journal, Tier 2 (Journal of applied physics)

We synthesized electrode materials for Supercapacitor devices. Supercapacitors have been widely used in many electronic applications such as phones, laptops, electric vehicles, etc. However, Supercapacitors have storage capacity and stability problems. The improvement of the new electrode materials for supercapacitors are in need and have attracted many researchers to focus on improving its weaknesses. In this research paper, Polyaniline (PANI) nanorods shown a good performance as electrode materials for supercapacitor. Polyaniline (PANI) nanorods were deposited on electro-etched carbon cloth (EC) by a facile electrodeposition method with the existence of purified aniline and sulfuric acid. Various deposition potentials were applied to achieve a good electrochemical performance of EC-PANI electrode. The optimized PANI nanorods electrode exhibited an excellent specific capacitance of 357.14 Fg−1 with an energy density of 40.18 Wh kg−1 and a power density of 1.28 Wkg−1 at a current density of 0.5 Ag−1 in 0.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte. A symmetrical cell of P1.4//PVA + 0.5 M H2SO4//P1.4 has recorded a good cycling stability with 95 and 88% capacitance retention at current densities of 200 and 300 mAg−1. EC-PANI electrode can be used as a scalable solution for high-performance energy storage devices.
Full paper access: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11581-018-2809-7

Morphology-controlled PANI nanowire electrode by using deposition scan rate in H2SO4/PVA polymer electrolyte for electrochemical capacitor

Rusi, Sim, C.K & Majid, S.R
Published on Jan 2017 in ISI Tier 2 Journal (Ionics)

Polyaniline (PANI) nanowire electrode was successfully prepared using the electrodeposition method. The morphology, thickness, and electrochemical performance of the PANI electrode can be controlled by varying the deposition scan rates. Lower deposition scan rate results in compact and aggregates of PANI nanowire morphology. The uniform nanowire of PANI was obtained at the applied scan rate of 100 mV s−1, and it was used as a symmetric electrode coupled with H2SO4/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gel electrolyte. The different concentrations of H2SO4 acid in polymer electrolyte have influenced the electrochemical performance as well. The optimum specific capacitance and energy density of P100 PANI electrode in 3 M H2SO4/PVA gel polymer electrolyte was 377 F g−1 and 95.4 Wh kg−1 at the scan rate of 1 mV s−1. The good stability of the electrode in this system is applicable to many wearable electronics applications.
Full paper access: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11581-018-2809-7