X-Ray Diffraction and Mössbauer Studies of Nanostructured Ni40Fe60 Powder: Structure Defects and Hyperfine Structure

Journal of Superconductivity and Novel Magnetism - A nanostructured nickel–iron alloy having the Ni40Fe60 composition was prepared through the mechanical alloying of the elemental powders in...     

Energy policy shifts towards sustainable energy future for Malaysia

As a developing country, Malaysia’s prosperity and welfare depends heavily on having access to reliable and secure supplies of energy. As a result, the country’s future energy requirements have become a policy priority in recent years. Energy is essential for human life, and a secure and accessible supply of energy becomes important for the modern societies. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas are currently the world’s primary energy sources and continue to provide energy source to the world. These energy sources have depleted in reserves in recent years and they can also cause irreparably damage to the environment such as global warming and climate change. These environmental concerns can be addressed, to some extent, through more sustainable solutions such as the use of renewable energy resources. In Malaysia, the economic and environmental impacts of fossil fuels use have become hard to ignore. The government has introduced and implemented policy measures to address concerns surrounding the use of fossil fuels and to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy use. In this paper, we review the historical evolution of Malaysian energy policies and initiatives designed to secure diverse energy sources and avoid over-reliance on fossil fuels. In recent years, Malaysia has been catching up with global call to shift to renewable energy use and is now putting a focus on renewable energy in its future energy mix. The paper also discusses challenges and concerns over the future of sustainable energy of the country.     

Dynamic evolution control for synchronous buck DC–DC converter: Theory,model and simulation

This paper proposes a new control technique for synchronous buck DC–DC converter. Theory, design and implementation of the proposed control technique are provided. A new approach for converter controller synthesis based on dynamic evolution control theory is presented. In order to synthesize the converter controller, this method uses a simple analysis of nonlinear equation models of the converter. The synthesis process is simple and requires a quite low bandwidth for the controller. Therefore, this control method is suitable for digital control implementation. As an illustrative example, the synthesis of synchronous buck DC–DC converter controller is discussed in detail. The model of the synchronous buck DC–DC converter system was implemented using SimPowerSystems toolbox of MATLAB-SIMULINK. Performance of the proposed dynamic evolution control under step load change and step input voltage condition was investigated. Simulation results confirm that the proposed control method is superior to traditional PI based controller because of fast transient response and good disturbance rejection.     

An improved stator flux estimation in steady-state operation fordirect torque control of induction machines

This paper presents an improved stator flux estimation technique based on a voltage model with some form of low-pass (LP) filtering. In voltage-model-based stator flux estimation, an LP filter is normally used instead of a pure integrator to avoid integration drift problem due to DC offset, noise, or measurement error present in the back electromotive force. In steady-state condition, the LP filter estimator will degrade the performance and efficiency of the direct torque control (DTC) drive system since it introduced magnitude and phase errors, thus resulting in an incorrect voltage vector selection. The stator flux steady-state error between the LP filter and a pure integrator estimator technique is derived and its effect on the steady-state DTC drive performance is analyzed. A simple method is proposed to compensate for this error which results in a significant improvement in the steady-state drive performance. Simulation based on this technique is given and it is verified by experimental results     

Development of advanced solar assisted drying systems

The Solar Energy Research Group in the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia has been set-up more than two decades ago. One of the activities is in the field of solar thermal process, particularly in development of solar assisted drying systems. Solar drying systems technical development can proceed in two directions. Firstly simple, low power, short life, and comparatively low efficiency-drying system. Secondly, the development of high efficiency, high power, long life expensive solar drying system. The group has developed four solar assisted drying systems namely (a) the V-groove solar collector, (b) the double-pass solar collector with integrated storage system, (c) the solar assisted dehumidification system for medicinal herbs and (d) the photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collector system. The common problems associated with the intermittent nature of solar radiation and the low intensities of solar radiation in solar thermal systems can be remedied using these types of solar drying systems. These drying systems have the advantages of heat storage, auxiliary energy source, integrated structure control system and can be use for a wide range of agricultural produce.     

Modeling and simulation of a new Bridgeless SEPIC power factor correction circuit

A new Bridgeless PFC circuit based on Single-Ended Primary Inductance Converter (SEPIC) is proposed in this paper. The new topology has less component count and less conducted component during each mode of operation within one switching period. The small-signal and steady-state model of the circuit operated in Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM) is derived using the Current Injected Equivalent Circuit Approach (CIECA). The large-signal model based on state-space and switch model are also developed to verify the large-signal behavior. The simulation results of the proposed converter show that the output voltage of the proposed converter is successfully regulated to its desired value while the input current regulation is inherent.     

Docking Studies on Binding Modes between the CatechoI-O-Methyltransferase and Catechol Derivatives for Antiparkinson Drug

Inhibition of the enzyme COMT （catechol-O-methyltransferase） is an important approach in the treatment of Parkinson＇s disease. A series of potent catechols for COMT may give insight to develop new ways of antiparkinson drug. COMT inhibitors represent a new class of antiparkinson drugs, when they are coadministered with levodopa. Our goal of research is to study the inhibition of catechol-O-methyltransferase by molecular modeling methods. Different molecular modeling tools are used to perform this work （molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics and molecular docking （molegro virtnaldocker））. The results obtained from this work, into which the inhibition of catechol-O-methyltransferase by molecular modeling methods was elucidated, allow us to conclude that different catechols presents a more optimised inhibition of catechol-O-methyltransferase. The results suggest reducing the severity of Parkinson＇s disease.     

Diurnal pattern of global solar radiation in the tropics: a case study in Malaysia

Global solar radiation patterns in Bangi (2°56′7.3″N, 105°47′0.2″E), Malaysia are discussed. The frequency of occurrence of the various solar radiation patterns observed over a 5-year period is derived. These observations will provide useful information for the design of solar energy systems and equipment for installation in tropical countries having a similar global solar radiation pattern.     

Amoxicillin Magadiite Derivatives: Advanced Materials for Antibacterial and Drug Delivery Applications

Silicon - Herein, a pure and well crystallized Na-magadiite was synthesized by hydrothermal method. It was then used as a host matrix to prepare hybrid materials by intercalation of zwitterionic...