EURECA (Engineering Undergraduate Research and Catalysis) Conference 2013

Transcription

1 EURECA (Engineering Undergraduate Research and Catalysis) Conference 2013 July 1-2 July 2013 Volume (4), Issue (7) The inaugural EURECA conference is the first conference in Malaysia that caters specifically for undergraduate engineering students, giving them a platform to present their final year research work. As a requirement for graduation for all Taylor s University School of Engineering final year students, the conference has seen the participation of 73 final year engineering students from Taylor s University and 1 participant from the University of Nottingham, Malaysia. The aim of this conference is to help undergraduate students develop their research skills and experience the networking opportunities with industry and academic experts. The keynote speakers for EURECA 2013 were Dr. Dian Darina Indah bt Daruis from the National Defence University of Malaysia, Mr. Arnold Teo from Shell Malaysia and Professor Iven Mareels from the University of Melbourne. Official launch of the conference by Professor Dato Dr. Hassan Said, Vice Chancellor & President, Taylor s University. Keynote Speakers Professor Dr. Iven Mareels Dean, School of Engineering, University of Melbourne. Mr. Arnold Senior Production Manager, Shell Refining Companies. Invited guests and the faculty members of Taylor s University School of Engineering in a group photo.

2 Taylor s University Engineering Fair July 2013 July 5 Judging in progress for the Nanofluid Cooling System for Solar Panels. Taylor s Engineering Fair is an event held traditionally every semester to showcase the innovative concepts, groundbreaking inventions and revolutionary ideas of the engineering students of Taylor s University, which are then judged by academic experts and leading industry representatives based on various categories. There were 128 groups from all the three disciplines - Mechanical, Chemical and Electrical Engineering - taking part in the fair. From Race Car to War Robots, Pyrolysis Cooking Stove to Bioethanol Production Plants, Brain Controlled wheelchair to 500 Megawatt Solar Power Plant in range, these are just a tip of an iceberg of the already impressive projects that were showcased at the July 2013 Taylor s Engineering Fair. In other words, it is a full-spectrum exhibition of the future technologies painstakingly designed and crafted by the engineering students for the future generations. Sem 1 It Moves!!! Taylor s Grand Challenge Amphibian Vehicle Race Amphibian vehicle is an important mode of transportation that is used by many all over the world eg: military purpose, emergency. Realising the importance of this vehicle, desires to instill students designing skills coupled with a sense of responsibility, sustainability and creativity. Team Members: Oh Wei Szin, Chew Hong Jun, Melvin Mok Poh Chuen, Chong Chiang Hoong, Ricky Saputra

3 Sem 2 Taylor s Racing Team Best Ergonomic Design Project Award This project is a double-seater racing car powered by a Honda cbr250r engine, which will compete in the 2013 EIMA race at the Melaka International Motorsport Circuit. Team Members: Justin Moo Xian Yuen, Naresh Jeyapalan, Jason Law Sie Wei, Ivan Chai Voon Kian, Leroy Liaw Kwok Leung, Khine Thin Zar Sint, Fatemah Donyamali Easy-Disposal Cat Litter Box Highest Marketing Potential Project Award Sem 2 One of the hassles of owning a cat is to clean its waste from the litter box. This project is designed to make this process easier, especially for those who own a lot of cats. Instead of picking the faeces one-by-one, this device will allow cat owners to rid them all in one go. Team Members: Muhammad Anas, Tengku Mohamad Faris Bin Tengku Salehudin, Terry Vun, Lee Jia Hin, Manish Kumar Sing Domun Sem 2 Chairish Life Best Return on Investment Project Award This chair implements a stretching mechanism that allows users to flex their muscles within reachable space even in the midst of a hectic routine. Stretching improves one s blood circulation when he/she sits down for too long. By applying ergonomic principles, this chair helps boost productivity and efficiency of the user. Team Members: Lee Pak Kee, Kong Ye Kai, Sze Zi Cheng, Teh Kai Ren, Heng Jing Lei, Wong Jing Jie

4 Sem 3 Briefcase Size Biodiesel Plant from House Cooking Oil (GG Tank) Best Multidisciplinary Project Award Aimed at converting waste cooking oil into biodiesel, this is the product of the hard and united work of this group s members. Made out of recyclable materials, it is not only environmental friendly but also aids in generating income for people in rural areas. Team Members: Sun Yeng Joe, Gavin Neo Hung Ming, Chin Meei Huey, Choon Zhe Shyi, Tan Wei Tar Sem 3 Nanocarbon Capture from Diesel Exhaust Best Return on Investment Project Award Sem 3 This project designed a cyclone separator that is able to separate nanoparticles from diesel exhaust which may be harmful to human bodies. Team Members: Yap Zhu Wei, Kok Cher Zheng, Khor Shern Huong, Tan Yi Jin, Yeoh Woanlin Sem 3 Pyrolysis Cooking Stove Best Environmentally Friendly Design Project Award This project develops an environmental-friendly cooking stove that uses biomass as fuel to generate heat. A secondary air supply is introduced to ensure complete combustion takes place. Team Members: Aiman Bin Yusri, Aisyah Hanis Binti Abdul Aziz, Justin Leong Chee Mun, Ling Tek Soon, Low Shen Hin Judging in progress for the Briefcase Size Biodiesel Plant from House Cooking Oil (GG Tank).

5 Snapshots of the engineering projects displayed at the fair. Sem 4 Herbal Processing Technology Most Innovative Design Project Award This is a new product using a medicinal herb (betel leaves) for its known bio-activity, which can be used as soap and/or toothpaste. Palm Oil Effluent Treatment & Preparation of Activated Carbon Best Environmentally Friendly Design Project Award This project aims to produce activated carbon from oil palm shell and use it for wastewater treatment replacing the existing method to reduce the cost for wastewater treatment. Sem 4 Team Members: Ameena Ali (Jaime), Mariam Abdul Hafeez, Aisyah Fadhilah Bt Mahmood Azmy, Chia Wan Teng Team Members: Saravanakumar A/L Rajentheran, Alicia Cheok Pei Yin, Ma Qianyi, Yong Mun Yee Sem 4 Palm Oil Cutter & Collection System Best CAD/CAM Design Project Award This project aims to create a smarter way to harvest oil palm fruits to reduce the difficulties faced by plantation workers. Team Members: Joshua Chieng Lie Yang, Chia Voon Kui, Tan Chee Hong, Mok Chui Jet, Lee Neng Yung, Lee Pei Ying

6 Conceive & Design a Human-Powered Vehicle & Its Associated Manufacturing Plant Taylor s Capstone Project Prize Sem 5 A human powered vehicle (HPV) can be defined as a type of vehicle, which uses only human muscle power as the input energy to allow movement of the vehicle itself. This project aims to improve the ergonomic and safety of the design of a HPV. Besides that, a manufacturing plant is modeled to mass produce the vehicle. Team Members: Pang Zong Xin, Chan Jian Sheng, Yap Kian Hoong, Lim Ze Qian, Lim Ming Tat Sem 5 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Taylor s Capstone Project Prize The objective of this project is to design a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production Sem plant 5 that will convert the basic components (chlorine & ethylene) into the intermediary product, vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) and finally to PVC. To complete this project, application of knowledge regarding flow sheeting, process energy integration, process modelling using simulation software (i.e. Unisim) and equipment sizing. Team Members: Siow Yea Ying, Lai Chooi San, Tsu Weng Huang, Ho Szu Jie Sem 5 Biodiesel Production Taylor s Capstone Project Prize This project is to produce biodiesel from extraction of algae oil via transesterification process. Team Members: Joanne Chan Wan Rou, Phing Hui Min, Kalananthni, Chun Eugene Students demonstrating their Fit 2 Space project.

7 Human Powered Vehicle Taylor s Capstone Project Prize Sem 6 This project is to develop human powered vehicle for the HPV Inter-Uni competition. This vehicle has to purely operate using human power without engines. The HPV is required to deliver maximum energy transmission in order to win the race. Sem 6 Production of Methyl Tertiary Buthyl Ether (MTBE) Taylor s Capstone Project Prize Team Members: Low Kean Peng, Wong Chyishen, Pang Chuan Yao Incorporating chemical process design skills, this design project covers the production of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) that belongs to a group of chemicals known as oxygenates. The MTBE plant production capacity of 300,000 metric tonnes per year is utilised in the automotive industry where the oxygenate acts as an additive in fuel for gasoline engines to enhance combustion process and reduce the emissions of exhaust pollutants. Acting as an octane enhancer, MTBE is an ideal substitute for lead in the blending of gasoline. Team Members: Fang Yan Kai, Khoo Meow Shan, Nor Azhreeha Binti Abdul Hamed Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) Taylor s Capstone Project Prize This project is a three-wheeler HPV, specially developed to compete in the race. Sem 6 Team Members: Dominic Ang Ding Xiong, Ng Kun Yong, Lim Wei Kit, Gabriel Ngui Kai Zhneg, Michael Loon Chee Yan Panel of judges briefing session.

8 Developing an Integrated Approach for Experimental Modal Analysis of Multi-Bent Copper Phosphorous Tubes (by Cheok Jian Tyng) An Application of Research Methodology Framework Relating Cognitive Ergonomics to Sport Science (by Terence Foo Kai Wai) This project was conducted to design an EMA test to gauge the impact hammer modal testing on multibent oxidised phosphorus copper tube within the interesting frequency range of 1Hz to 200Hz. The test fixture needs to be designed by following the general principles of vibration of a test fixture design by altering the resonances out of the range of testing. Golf is a sport that requires a high level of cognitive skills where it does not only depend on physical and mental process. Precision making is also equally important. This research aims to study various factors that affects the mental behaviour of the golfer and how it is affecting their golf performance. A Structural Investigation on an Electric Car Chasis (by Teh Ren Yu) This project addresses the method, design, testing and construction of a Shell Eco Marathon Solar Car Chassis. Heat Transfer Enhancements Using CNT Nanofluids in a Turbulent Flow Heat Exchanger (by Ong Seik San) CFD Simulation of Forced Convection Nanofluid Flow inside a Circular Conduit (by Low Lup Kwan) Suspensions of Nano-sized particles (<100NM) in base fluid are termed as nanofluids, which are believed to be the promising collant in heat transfer applications due to their enhanced thermal conductivity. In this study, the enhancement in heat transfer of CNT nanofluids under turbulent flow conditions was investigated experimentally using carbon nanotube (CNTS) nanofluids of WT%, stabilized by optimum concentrations of gum arabic in a concentric tube turbulent flow heat exchanger. This research aimed to simulate heat transfer enhancement in a turbulent flow circular conduit with respect to different nanoparticle concentration and Reynolds number including the effects of drag and lift forces, respectively. Simulations were carried out using single-phase and two-phase (mixture and eulerian) models in 3-D geometry.

9 Group photo during the closing ceremony of Taylor s Engineering Fair. Drying Kinetics & Total Phenolic Content of Dried Mentha Arvensis Leaves (by Wong Siew Fan) The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of natural sun drying and infrared drying on drying characteristics and total phenolic content of MA leaves. Drying temperature of infrared dried MA leaves was ranged from 50ºC - 80ºC and average natural sun drying temperature was 30ºC- 45ºC. Mems Biosensor: The Elecmagnetism Approach (by Chan Ching Hong) The project uses elecmagnetism theory to test the hypothesis of MEMS biosensors using inductance to sense the existance of pathogens. Automatic Car-Plate Detection & Recognition System (by Ng Simin) This project aims to improve the automatic number plate recognition system. Design & Development of Single-Sided Linear Induction Motor (by Khumira Ismail) Linear motor provides a linear motion of thrust along its axis. In this project, height to width ratio of the permanent magnets is varied to investigate the change to the motor s thrust characteristics.

10 Taylor s Human Powered Vehicle Race July 7 Group Photo of the contestants of the HPV Race. The third year, second semester students from Taylor s University School of Engineering participated in the inaugural Taylor s Human Powered Vehicle Race THPV. Four teams participated in the race, each with their own human powered vehicle. The HPV s were conceived, designed, implemented throughout the year as part of the Mechanical Engineering Capstone Project module; and operated in the race by one of the team members. and completed the qualifying session in first place with a time of 25.3 seconds, 10 seconds ahead of the second place team, Team 2. The HPVs for Team 2, 3 and 4 were piloted by Ahmad Fikri, Mohaymen Khan and Low Kean Peng respectively. The race consisted of 5 laps. Team 1 dominated the race and finished the race a lap ahead of the second place team, Team 2. The qualifying session of the race consists of the each team completing a lap and locking in the lap time. The best lap time determined the position of the team on the starting grid. Team 1 s HPV was piloted by Domonic Ang Team #2 s HPV piloted by Ahmad Fikri. Team #1 s HPV piloted by Dominic Ang. CO 2 Car Competition July 7 Carbon dioxide car (CO 2 car) competition 2013 was successfully held on 8 th July 2013 at Taylor s University, Lakeside Campus. A total of 48 teams consisting of high school students in Klang Valley competed in the event. The objective of the event is to develop critical thinking skills and cultivate team work among school students via engineering projects. Opening address by the Dean, School of Engineering, Professor Dr. Mushtak Al-Atabi.

11 Participating teams were required to construct a model vehicle which is capable of carrying a 500ml bottle. The model vehicle must be powered by carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and travel the distance specified. Each team presented and explained their model vehicle s technical characteristics to a panel of judges, who then evaluate the teams based on their creative design ideas and initiatives. Next, the cars were released one by one along a runway to compete against each other according to the specified travelling distance. Cars were not to travel beyond the set limit of 5.5 meters. Other than team s presentation and creativeness of the model, the research model, the cost effectiveness of building the model and the poster is also taken into consideration as part of the winning criteria. During the closing ceremony of the competition, the following awards were presented to the respective winners: Awards Team School Best Presentation Formula 5 Tsun Jin High School Best Researched Project Neonites SMJK Chong Hwa Most Cost Effective Project Big Axle Donuts Sri Emas International School Most Creative Project Jetpack Joyride Wesley Methodist School Best Supportive Teacher Pn. Sin SMK Taman Desa Best Poster Moving Forward Catholic High School 2nd Runner Up Mighty Minds SMJK Chong Hwa 1st Runner Up Big Axle Donuts Sri Emas International School Champion Tsun Jin C Tsun Jin High School Prize giving ceremony to the winners.

12 Official Visit by Founder and President of MINDS July 16 Academician Tan Sri Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr. Augustine S. H. Ong, the President of the Malaysian Invention and Design Society (MINDS), and MINDS Executive Secretary, Chrys Tee, visited Taylor s Technology Innovation Centre (TTIC) on the 16 th July Present at the visit to welcome the guests were Taylor s University Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Dato Dr. Hassan Said; Dean School of Engineering, Professor Dr. Mushtak Al-Atabi; Dean School of Architecture, Building and Design, Mr. Tony Liew; Deputy Dean of Taylor s Design School, Mr. Ken Tan; Associate Dean (International Relations) of Taylor s Design School, Charles Naidu; Design School s lecturer, Mr. Stephen Poon and Director of TTIC, Associate Professor Dr. Edwin Chung. Group photo with Tan Sri Ong (third from right) at the end of the official visit. Tan Sri Ong visit was at the invitation of Mr. Stephen Poon who as a committee member of MINDS noticed similarities in some of the objectives of the two organisations and how the two organisations can complement each other. At the core of this discussion was how the two organisations can work together to promote the practice of innovation within the country especially to secondary school students. Possible research collaboration and the appointment of Tan Sri Ong as an Adjunct Professor were also discussed. Tan Sri Ong presented a coffee table publication as souvenir to Prof. Dato Dr. Hassan. First Foundation in Engineering Orientation July 23 Professor Dr. Mushtak Al-Atabi briefing students during FIE orientation. The new students were engrossed with the talk by Ir. Dr. Satesh. The inaugural intake of 79 Foundation in Engineering students kick-started with the orientation week on 23 rd to 25 th July Professor Dr. Mushtak Al-Atabi, Dean of SOE, presented exciting concepts on the need to be an engineer to the new babies during his opening speech. Ir. Dr. Satesh Narayana Namasivayam, the Deputy Dean of SOE, also introduced the academic regulations and code of conduct to the students. Taylor s University, Lakeside Campus (JPT/BPP/ /67/Jld.2(32) KPT/JPS/DFT/US/B21) No.1, Jalan Taylor s, Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia (603) (603) admissions@taylors.edu.my