Applied Mechanics and Materials Vols. 773-774

Abstract: Mist-atomization deposition method was applied in order to grow ZnO nanoparticles on Au-seeded glass substrates acting as seeded template. Ag doped ZnO thin films were deposited on ZnO seeded templates by solution-immersion method. The influence of Ag doping content on the optical and Raman scattering properties of ZnO films were systematically investigated by UV-Vis transmittance measurement measured by ultra-violet visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and Raman scattering spectrum measured by Raman spectroscopy under room temperature. From UV-Vis transmittance measurement, the incorporation of Ag dopant to the ZnO makes the transmittance wavelength shifted to the shorter wavelength as compared to the pure ZnO. From Raman spectra, 4 cm^-1 downshift is observed in Ag-doped thin films as compared to pure ZnO thin films. This Raman peak shift shows that a tensile stress existed in the Ag-doped ZnO film.

Abstract: Titanium is a lightweight metal with an outstanding combination of properties which make it the material of choice for many different applications. This paper investigates the structure, surface characteristics and electrical properties of the Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂) thin film, deposited by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The deposition temperature was 1000°C with 3 different positions of the glass substrates. The surface morphologies were examined using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and an atomic force microscopy (AFM). In order to investigate the structural properties, the TiO₂ thickness was measured using a surface profiler. The optical properties of TiO₂ were measured using an ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). The surface morphology was found to be sensitive to the deposition parameters and the growth TiO₂ is more uniform when the position of substrate is closed to the starting material.

Abstract: Programmable Integrated Circuit (PIC) module for educational purposes is developed based on the existing unsatisfactory PIC simulation which is not able to achieve the objective and learning outcome in enhancing the student’s psychomotor aspect through circuit designing, installation and trouble shooting. The existing PIC programming through computer simulation, which students facing difficulty in observing and understanding the wiring assembly between the input module, PIC microcontroller and output modules. The development of PIC module has been designed and improved by increasing the number of output components,cost reduction and it is also user friendly. Furthermore, this PIC module is embedded with I/O module such as normally open push buttons, 12VDC motor, servomotor, LEDs light, LCD display, and seven-segment display. Newly developed PIC module can be programme and re-programme for various tasks. Based on students Lab Practical Assessment record, there is an average of 39% and 22% of improvement on knowledge and psychomotor skill respectively when students used newly developed PIC modules for laboratory practical work.

Abstract: A dual microstrip MIMO antenna with Electromagnetic Bandgap (EBG) structures presented. EBG structures proposed in order to reduce the coupling between elements .Simulated scattering parameters with and without EBG structures compared. An evaluation of MIMO antenna characteristics is presented, with the analysis of the mutual coupling, correlation coefficients, total active reflection coefficients (TARC), capacity loss and channel capacity using Computer Simulation Technology (CST) Microwave Studio Software. The proposed antenna is a good candidate for WLAN practical applications.

Abstract: In past few decades, most of the modern electrophysiological concepts and methods were developed by the computational technique extensively to compute the cardiac action potential in nerve cells. Thus, tissue models consisting of a large number of single cell models cause a problem in the amount of computation required to obtain meaningful results from simulations. One of the solutions to this problem is by implementing the simulation through hardware modeling using a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). Here, a research on developing a real-time simulation tool responsible for reentrant excitations in a ring of cardiac tissue based on the FitzHugh-Nagumo (FHN) model has been carried out by using a Xilinx Virtex-6 XC6VLX240T ML605 development board FPGA. In order to invest some of the time savings for creating the FPGA prototype, rapid prototyping method introduced by MathWorks which are MATLAB Simulink and its HDL Coder toolbox have been used to automate the algorithm design process by converting Simulink blocks into Hardware Description Language (HDL) code for the FPGA using a fixed-point data type in discrete-time framework. In this paper, the method and the optimization of the HDL design through the MATLAB Simulink have been discussed and the FPGA hardware performance in terms of speed, area and power consumption has also been analyzed.

Abstract: Research and development on hybrid excitation flux switching machines (HEFSM) for various applications have been carried out in the last years. The designed HEFSM consist of permanent magnet (PM) and DC field excitation coil (DC-FEC) which is located on the stator core as their main flux sources, while a single piece rotor gives the advantages of robust rotor structure. Since most of the designed HEFSMs utilize three-phase windings, more complicated design and control system are required to run the motor. Thus, a new design of single-phase E-Core HEFSM with several advantages of much simpler converter size and smaller battery package due to small voltage capacity when compared with conventional three-phase system is proposed. Consequently, the size of overall configuration systems will also be reduced resulting in reducing total weight and cost. In this paper, initial performances of 4S-4P, 4S-6P, 4S-8P and 4S-10P E-Core HEFSM topologies are analysed. Since 4S-10P design gives highest torque and power performances, deterministic design optimization approach is conducted to enhance much higher and optimum performances. As conclusion, the optimized E-core HEFSM with 4S-10P topology has achieved maximum torque and power of 208.857Nm and 47.31 kW, respectively.

Abstract: Hybrid excitation flux switching machines (HEFSMs) have a several advantages such as robust rotor structure, high torque and power capabilities, and high efficiency suitable for light load and heavy industry applications. However, the general structure of HEFSMs employed with three main flux sources namely permanent magnet (PM), field excitation coil (FEC) and armature coil located on the stator body causes high manufacturing cost. Therefore, a new non-PM field excitation flux switching machine (FEFSM) consists of rugged rotor structure suitable for high-speed operation with capability to keep similar torque and power density of HEFSM is proposed and examined. In this paper, performances of both outer and inner rotor 12S-14P FEFSMs are analyzed and compared. As conclusion, the inner-rotor topology provides much higher torque and power when compared with outer rotor configuration.

Abstract: Flux switching machines (FSMs), new type of electric machines with unique operating principles have been introduced and published recently. FSMs contain armature and excitation sources on the stator with robust rotor structure. According to rotor structure FSMs can be classified into two types namely salient pole rotor and segmental pole rotor. Various topologies have been studied and published using both rotor structures, however salient pole rotor has a demerit of less torque generation due to longer flux path resulting flux leakage surrounding the rotor. In this paper a new structure of hybrid excitation FSM (HEFSM) with segmental rotor is proposed and a comparative analysis with the invented field excitation FSM (FEFSM) and permanent magnet FSM (PMFSM) is presented. Initially, coil arrangement tests are examined to confirm the operating principle of HEFSM with segmental rotor. Moreover, the cogging torque, induced voltage, magnetic flux, torque at various armature current densities and power characteristics are observed based on 2D-finite element analysis (FEA).

Abstract: Flux switching machine (FSMs) with several advantages of robust rotor structure, high reliability, high efficiency and high torque density have been develop in recent years. Among several types of FSM, HEFSM gives extra advantage at variable flux capabilities suitable for higher load conditions. However, the developed C-Type has a problem of separated stator core which lead to difficulty in manufacturing design as well as flux leakage to the outer stator. In order to solve the problem, iron flux bridges have been introduced to the stator core. Because of that, the separated stator core becomes the single piece of core. In this paper, various topologies of iron flux bridges is introduced and overviewed. Performances of torque at various flux bridge is analyzed and compared. This analysis is verified by Finite Element Analysis (2D-FEA).

Abstract: The increasing use of electronically mediated communication among workers when dealing with collocated group members has become unavoidable. Besides, communication is a vital part of sustainability strategy of an organization in order to keep abreast with business agility, as well as increasing organization’s intellectual productivity. However, the importance of physical workplace as a place supporting face to face communication cannot be denied since it is one of the factors of successful accomplishment of complex group tasks and activities. In this paper, we explored and compared the characteristics of two small office layout and physical settings on group’s communication while performing their work process – in this case we adopted SECI Model behaviors. The ethnographic and cross-sectional studies were conducted, and relationship between physical design, communication and work process have been explored by considering the office layout of two project groups at research institution in Japan. The findings highlighted the differences in distribution of amount of communication in these two layouts based on several measurements such as communication contents, unit boundaries, SECI behaviors and so on. Based on the result of the study, we suggest the layout and physical settings that foster communicative workplace as well as supporting their work process.