Institution Of Engineers Research Articles

(Invited) III-Nitride Ultraviolet LEDs and Lasers for Applications in Biology and Medicine

Solid-state ultraviolet (UV) light emitters are being developed for emerging biomedical applications such as surface sterilization, air/water purification, and medical treatments as a replacement for mercury vapor lamps. While these UV emitters offer many advantages over mercury lamps, such as more compact form factors, tunable emission wavelengths, and greatly increased lifetimes, they also suffer from a number of issues which hinder their implementation in many potential applications. UV emitters are based on AlGaN heterostructures which usually have very poor external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) of less than 10%, with EQEs decreasing with emission wavelength. This makes it very challenging to realize high efficiency UV emitters whose high energy photons are capable of inactivating viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. This work discusses recent developments made by the Zhang Research Group at the Rochester Institute of Technology in improving the efficiencies of UV LEDs and lasers.

Fuzzy Classification Approach to Select Learning Objects Based on Learning Styles in Intelligent E-Learning Systems

In e-learning systems, even though the automatic detection of learning styles is considered the key element in the adaptation process, it does not represent the main goal of this process at all. Indeed, to accomplish the task of adaptation, it is also necessary to be able to automatically select the learning objects according to the detected styles. The classification techniques are the most used techniques to automatically select the learning objects by processing data derived from learning object metadata. By using these classification techniques, considerable results are obtained via several approaches and consist of mapping the learning objects into different teaching strategies and then mapping these strategies into the identified learning styles. However, these approaches have some limitations related to robustness. Indeed, a common feature of these approaches is that they do not directly map learning object metadata elements to learning style dimensions. Moreover, they do not consider the fuzzy nature of learning objects. Indeed, any learning object can be suitable for different learning styles at varying degrees of suitability. This highlights the need to find a way to remedy this shortcoming. Our work is part of the automatic selection of learning objects. So, we will propose an approach that uses the fuzzy classification technique to select learning objects based on learning styles. In this approach, the metadata of each learning object that complies with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard are stored in a database as an Extensible Markup Language (XML) file. The Fuzzy C Means algorithm is used, on one hand, to assign fuzzy suitability rates to the stored learning objects and, on the other hand, to cluster them into the Felder and Silverman learning styles model categories. The experiment results show the performance of our approach.

Memristive Switching Mechanism in Colloidal InP/ZnSe/ZnS Quantum Dot-Based Synaptic Devices for Neuromorphic Computing.

Quantum dots (QDs) have garnered a significant amount of attention as promising memristive materials owing to their size-dependent tunable bandgap, structural stability, and high level of applicability for neuromorphic computing. Despite these advantageous properties, the development of QD-based memristors has been hindered by challenges in understanding and adjusting the resistive switching (RS) behavior of QDs. Herein, we propose three types of InP/ZnSe/ZnS QD-based memristors to elucidate the RS mechanism, employing a thin poly(methyl methacrylate) layer. This approach not only allows us to identify which carriers (electron or hole) are trapped within the QD layer but also successfully demonstrates QD-based synaptic devices. Furthermore, to utilize the QD memristor as a synapse, long-term potentiation/depression (LTP/LTD) characteristics are measured, resulting in a low nonlinearity of LTP/LTD at 0.1/1. On the basis of the LTP/LTD characteristics, single-layer perceptron simulations were performed using the Extended Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology, verifying a maximum recognition rate of 91.46%.

Screening of Metal Reduction Potential for Thermochemical Hydrogen Storage

The screening of all non-radioactive metals without lanthanides for thermochemical hydrogen storage was performed based on physical chemistry calculations. The thermodynamic data were collected from the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) public data repository, which was followed by calculations regarding the change in enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs free energy and equilibrium reaction temperature. The results were critically evaluated based on thermodynamic parameters, viable metals were identified, and their hydrogen storage densities and energy–enthalpy ratios were evaluated. The elements viable for controlled thermochemical hydrogen storage via the reversible reduction and oxidation of metal oxides and metals are manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo) and tungsten (W). Manganese has the largest theoretical potential for hydrogen storage with reversible reduction and oxidation of metal oxides and metals. The second candidate is iron, while the other two (Mo and W) have much lower potential. More research efforts should be dedicated to experimental testing of the identified metals (Mn, Fe, Mo and W) and their different oxides for thermochemical hydrogen storage capabilities both on laboratory and pilot scales. Ferromanganese alloy(s) might also prove itself as an efficient and affordable thermochemical hydrogen storage material. Our theoretical investigation expanded the knowledge on thermochemical hydrogen storage and is accompanied with a brief literature review revealing the lack of experimental studies, especially on oxidation of metals with water vapor occurring during the hydrogen release phase of the cycle. Consequently, accurate modelling of transport, kinetics and other phenomena during hydrogen storage and release is scarce.

AN OVERVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF SILENT SOUND TECHNOLOGY

‌Nowadays whenever we are in a crowd or there was a to much background noise around us then it is very difficult to communicate or interact over the phone, but now we have an awesome solution on this problem that is ' silent sound technology ' it is a gift for those who lost their voice but wish to speak over the phone. this technology is produced by the Karlsruhe institute of technology, Germany and it will be available soon in the market. Silent sound technology is also known as ultrasonic sound or ultrasonic communication enables the transmission of data through inaudible sound waves. in this technology it detects every lip movement and convert it into the sound signal neglecting all background noise. without using real audio it is a visual interpretation of lip, mouth and face. So basically it reads our lip. This technology is available in English, German and French language, but not in language like Chinese because different tones hold different meanings in Chinese language. it use to allow silent calls and we can share our personal information like PIN , password or secret information to trusted one without knowing any other. it is also use in the Military for the secret missions. According to the researchers the technology have 99% efficiency only 1% possibility that it was produce a incorrect voice and upcoming 6-7 years the normal peoples are also use this technology because it launching very soon. Keywords : silent sound technology, electromyography, image processing.

Robert Millikan, Japanese internment, and eugenics

Robert A. Millikan (1868–1953) was the second American to win the Nobel Prize in physics. At the peak of his influence, no scientist save Einstein was more admired by the American public. Millikan, the head of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) during its first 24 years, oversaw its rapid growth into one of the leading scientific institutions of the world. However, in response to demands for social justice following the murder of George Floyd, Caltech launched an investigation into Millikan. Caltech reached a decision to strip Millikan of honors (such as the library named after him), following accusations from various sources that he was a sexist, racist, xenophobic, antisemitic, pro-eugenic Nazi sympathizer. In short, Caltech threw the book at him. This article analyzes two accusations against Millikan. The first of these accusations was published in Nature: that he collaborated to deprive Japanese Americans of their rights during their forced relocation to internment camps during the Second World War. An examination of original historical sources will show that this accusation is false. On the contrary, Millikan actively campaigned during the war to promote the rights of Japanese Americans. This article traces the stages of misrepresentation that led to current false beliefs about Millikan. In view of Millikan’s extraordinary position in American science, this misrepresentation is a cautionary tale. The article also treats Caltech’s central accusation against Millikan: he lent his name to “a morally reprehensible eugenics movement” that had been scientifically discredited in his time. The article considers the statements purporting to show that eugenics movement had been denounced by the scientific community by 1938. In a reversal of Caltech’s claims, all three of Caltech’s scientific witnesses against eugenics—including two Nobel laureates—were actually pro-eugenic to varying degrees. This article concludes that Millikan’s beliefs fell within acceptable scientific norms of his day.

Preliminary characterization of anelastic effects in the flexure mechanism for a new Kibble balance at NIST

A new Kibble balance is being built at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). For the first time in one of the highly accurate versions of this type of balance, a single passive flexure mechanism is used for both modes of operation: the weighing mode and the velocity mode. The mechanism is at the core of the new balance design as it represents a paradigm shift for NIST away from using knife edge-based balance mechanisms, which exhibit hysteresis in the measurement procedure of the weighing mode. Mechanical hysteresis may be a limiting factor in the performance of highly accurate Kibble balances approaching single digit nanonewton repeatability on a nominal 100g mass, as targeted in this work. Flexure-based mechanisms are known to have very good static hysteresis when used as a null detector. However, for larger and especially longer lasting deformations, flexures are known to exhibit anelastic drift. We seek to characterize, and ideally compensate for, this anelastic behavior after deflections during the velocity mode to enable a 10−8 accurate Kibble balance-measurement on a nominal 100g mass artifact with a single flexure-based balance mechanism. A measurement of the anelastic after-effect after static excitation hints that the apparatus produced a result for anelastic relaxation comparable to previously published work. Furthermore, a series of oscillatory displacements similar to those occurring in a velocity mode of a Kibble balance measurement are imposed upon the flexure mechanism and show a significant anelastic relaxation torque resulting in multiple micronewton of force relaxation. The amplitude of this force relaxation could be reduced by counterbending the flexures before performing a force measurement.

Challenges and opportunities on the horizon of post-quantum cryptography

Large quantum computers have the potential to break many cryptographic systems, e.g., Rivest–Shamir–Adleman, Diffie–Hellman key exchange, and the elliptical curve cryptosystem. The Department of Defense (DoD) is aware of this threat, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology is preparing a set of approved encryption and signature schemes that are not susceptible to these attacks by quantum computers, the so-called Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). The task of substituting older encryption and signature schemes raises a number of questions, to which there are not yet clear answers. In this research, we investigate the transition to PQC on existing networks, explain the approved PQC schemes, describe the likely path to an adaptation of PQC, and offer forward guidance on challenges and threats that may be encountered in the process of transition to PQC. This paper discusses the impacts of the new PQC schemes on network performance and speculates on possible side-channel attacks on the new encryption scheme. This paper offers hardware/software solutions based on the Split-protocol.

“Everyone Can Master the Correct Use of Mathematical Methods”: The Relevance of L.D. Kudryavtsev’s Ideas for Modern Mathematics Education

The article discusses the ideas, devoted to mathematics education, of Lev D. Kudryavtsev, corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences, professor-mathematician. These ideas are based on more than half a century of practical experience of L. D. Kudryavtsev at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology – he presented his vision of the problems of educating students, the unity of mathematics, as well as methods of teaching it in the collection of articles. The thoughts and ideas of L. D. Kudryavtsev are still relevant today, in the age of digital transformation of the education system and of the entire life of society.

A Bibliometric Analysis of the Outdoor Thermal Environment Based on CiteSpace

The outdoor thermal environment (OTE) is closely related to sustainable urban development and human living, and related research has attracted widespread attention. The research hotspots and research frontiers were obtained using CiteSpace to analyze 4473 relevant studies published in English from the Web of Science (WOS) core database from 1998 to 2023. The results show that (1) Hong Kong Polytechnic University, National University of Singapore, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University, and Harbin Institute of Technology are important in OTE research. China has the largest number of publications in the field of OTE, but the United States has the greatest centrality and significant influence. (2) The focus of OTE keyword clustering research is divided into four main categories: thermal environment perception, the thermal environment index, thermal environment quality, and thermal environment optimization. (3) The frontiers of OTE research have changed from focusing on environmental quality, thermal perception, numerical simulation, urban space, and thermal adaptation to thermal mitigation, energy conservation, energy consumption, and optimization strategies. Visualization research in the field of OTE helps to provide references for the direction of future research on improving climate change, human thermal comfort, urban planning, and pre-planning.

Assessment of a hybrid solar water heating system: environmental impact and economic viability

ABSTRACT Conventional methods of space heating are not only expensive but also environmentally harmful, as they emit greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. To tackle this issue, a hybrid solar water heating system assisted by a solar evacuated tube collector has been developed at the Madhav Institute of Technology and Science in Gwalior, India. Experiments conducted from November to February 2022–23 (winter season) revealed promising results. Throughout the winter season, the system achieved a daily average effective solar heat collection of 2.85 kWh, with a daily average collector efficiency of 45.5%. The average coefficient of performance (COP) of the solar water heat exchanger was 3.5. Additionally, the system demonstrated an energy payback time of 1.2 years, shorter than that of conventional systems. Over its lifetime, the developed winter heating system is estimated to mitigate 127.9 tonnes of CO2 emissions, earning a carbon credit of $1408. Economic analysis further revealed a favorable benefit-to-cost ratio for the hybrid system, ranging from 3.13 to 3.36, with a payback period varying from 5.03 to 4.47 years for an inflation rate of 6–13%. These findings affirm the feasibility and efficacy of a solar-powered hybrid active winter heating system.

Enhancing Ethiopian power distribution with novel hybrid renewable energy systems for sustainable reliability and cost efficiency

Economic development relies on access to electrical energy, which is crucial for society’s growth. However, power shortages are challenging due to non-renewable energy depletion, unregulated use, and a lack of new energy sources. Ethiopia’s Debre Markos distribution network experiences over 800 h of power outages annually, causing financial losses and resource waste on diesel generators (DGs) for backup use. To tackle these concerns, the present study suggests a hybrid power generation system, which combines solar and biogas resources, and integrates Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) and Pumped Hydro Energy Storage (PHES) technologies into the system. The study also thoroughly analyzes the current and anticipated demand connected to the distribution network using a backward/forward sweep load flow analysis method. The results indicate that the total power loss has reached its absolute maximum, and the voltage profiles of the networks have dropped below the minimal numerical values recommended by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards (i.e., 0.95–1.025 p.u.). After reviewing the current distribution network’s operation, additional steps were taken to improve its effectiveness, using metaheuristic optimization techniques to account for various objective functions and constraints. In the results section, it is demonstrated that the whale optimization algorithm (WOA) outperforms other metaheuristic optimization techniques across three important objective functions: financial, reliability, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This comparison is based on the capability of the natural selection whale optimization algorithm (NSWOA) to achieve the best possible values for four significant metrics: Cost of Energy (COE), Net Present Cost (NPC), Loss of Power Supply Probability (LPSP), and GHG Emissions. The NSWOA achieved optimal values for these metrics, namely 0.0812 €/kWh, 3.0017 × 106 €, 0.00875, and 7.3679 × 106 kg reduced, respectively. This is attributable to their thorough economic, reliability, and environmental evaluation. Finally, the forward/backward sweep load flow analysis employed during the proposed system’s integration significantly reduced the impact of new energy resources on the distribution network. This was evident in the reduction of total power losses from 470.78 to 18.54 kW and voltage deviation from 6.95 to 0.35 p.u., as well as the voltage profile of the distribution system being swung between 1 and 1.0234 p.u., which now comply with the standards set by the IEEE. Besides, a comparison of the cost and GHG emission efficiency of the proposed hybrid system with existing (grid + DGs) and alternative (only DGs) scenarios was done. The findings showed that, among the scenarios examined, the proposed system is the most economical and produces the least amount of GHG emissions.

Survey Analysis of Potential Nuclear Safety Research of Thailand for International Research Collaborative Reinforcement in the 2020s

Abstract To achieve the long-term challenge of nuclear energy public acceptance in Thailand, nuclear safety research needed to be properly determined in both domestic and international directions, especially in the 2020s which was a period passing the Fukushima disaster over 10 years. Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT) has studied nuclear safety research after the Fukushima accident to answer technical and social issues of nuclear power. An update of nuclear safety research from domestic experts and international surveys was needed in order to identify potential collaborative research to serve the goal of public acceptance reinforcement. The objective of this study was to survey, assess and rank the importance and knowledge level of nuclear safety research in Thailand among domestic experts in various fields. The survey was extended to collect the opinion of international participants of the ASEAN Network on Nuclear Power Safety Research (ASEAN NPSR) to analyze the similarity of the nuclear research interest for reinforcing the future collaborative project. As a result, the importance and knowledge level showed diverse important research topics with the priority of research scopes on human factor novel reactor technologies, and risk assessment. According to the ASEAN NPSR survey, the nuclear safety research of severe accidents, risk assessment, and novel reactor technologies were listed as potential collaborative projects. Also, the domestic and ASEAN NPSR survey results helped support the new collaborative research extension session in the annual ASEAN NPSR meeting to together discuss the potential nuclear safety research between members for the 2020s.

Resident Salary Compared to Living Wages at United States Training Institutions.

To compare living wages and salaries at US residency programs. It is unknown how resident salary compares to living wages across the United States (US). Cross-sectional analysis of publicly available resident salary affordability from training centers with post-graduate-year (PGY)-1 through PGY-7 resident compensation for 2022-2023 was compared with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Living-Wage Calculator. Resident salary to living wage ratios were calculated using PGY-4 salary for each family composition. Univariate and multivariable analysis of PGY-4 salary affordability was performed, accounting for proportion of expected living wages to taxes, transportation, housing, healthcare, childcare, and food, as well as unionization and state income-tax. 118 residency programs, representing over 60% of US trainees, were included, 20 (17%) of which were unionized. Single-parent families were unable to earn a living wage until PGY-7. Residents with 1 child in 2-adult (single-income) and 2-adult (dual-income) families earn below living wages until PGY-5 and PGY-3, respectively. Residents with more than 1 child never earn a living wage. Multivariable regression analysis using PGY-4 salary: living wage ratios in single-child, 2-parent homes showed food expense and unionization status were consistent predictors of affordability. Unionization was associated with lower affordability pre-stipend, almost equivalent affordability post-stipend, and lower affordability post-stipend and union dues. Resident salaries often preclude residents with children from earning a living wage. Unionization is not associated with increased resident affordability in this cross-sectional analysis. All annual reimbursement data should be centrally compiled, and additional stipends should be considered for residents with children.

IOT Based Light Automation System

Electronic &Telecommunication (E&TC) Department of JSPM’s Bhivrabai Sawant Institute of Technology & Research (BSIOTR) Wagholi, Pune. Light System involves controlling departmental lighting using the Internet of Things (IoT), allowing for a user-friendly automation system within the department. Instead of switching light manually ON or OFF, this system uses technology for doing it automatically. It enables automatic control of electronic appliances such as fans and lights. In this paper, we have implemented the operation of lights through the Blynk Application to control departmental light automation, allowing users to turn lights ON and OFF as needed. The system primarily utilizes the Raspberry Pi module, a crucial component of our smart light system implementation. It comprises both hardware and software components. The hardware includes Raspberry Pi 3b+ and a Relay Module, while the software utilizes the Python Language to issue commands for turning the lights ON and OFF. Raspberry Pi 3b+ module keeps all electrical Department appliances connected through a single interface for complete smart home system automation. With this setup, there is no need to use the conventional switches, and hence human effort required for the system is comparatively very less. Keywords: Department Light System , Internet of Things (IoT) , User-friendly automation, Raspberry Pi module, Relay Module, Blynk Application. .

Include board members in peer groups, networking opportunities

While your nonprofit may frequently send senior staff and even the executive director to attend conferences, join peer groups and network with others in the field, it's not all that common for board members. And that's to their detriment, according to Eugene Fram, professor emeritus at Saunders College of Business at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Studies on Pearl Millet-Based Intercropping System under Rainfed Condition of Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India

Aim: The aim of the study is to ascertain the response of pearl millet under intercropping system with pulses and their ability to produce higher yield under intercropping conditions. Study Design: The study was carried out in Randomized block design (RBD). Place and Duration of Study: The field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2023-2024 at Karunya Institute of technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Methodology: The experiment was laid out in randomized block design and replicated thrice. It consisted of eleven treatments comprising of pearl millet as main crop and pulses viz., blackgram, greengram, redgram, cowpea and bengalgram as intercrops. Pulses were intercropped with pearl millet in replacement series of 4:1 and 6:1 row proportion. Results: Significantly higher plant height (186.03cm), dry matter accumulation (7386kg/ha), grain yield (2493 kg/ha) and B:C (2.50) ratio was recorded in pearl millet + blackgram (4:1). Further pearl millet equivalent yield (PMGEY) (2711.1 kg/ha) and Relative Crowding Coefficient (RCC) were higher in pearl millet with blackgram 4:1 ratio and Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) were higher in pearl millet + redgram at a ratio of 4:1. Conclusion: These results confirmed that, pearl millet + blackgram 4:1 intercropping system may be suggested to get greater net return and B: C ratio.

Peer groups, networking can aid board development

While it may be common for nonprofit executive directors and senior staff to attend conferences, join peer groups and network with others in the field, it's not all that common for board members. And that's to their detriment, according to Eugene Fram, professor emeritus at Saunders College of Business at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Sexual violence amongst female undergraduate students in institution of higher learning in Enugu: Prevalence and awareness

Background: The rising cases of domestic violence has been a great concern to the general public. Objective: The prevalence and awareness of sexual violence on female undergraduates attending Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu was evaluated. Method: The study was a cross-sectional study that involved 400 female students, self-administered questionnaires was employed. Data was analysed using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. Associations were tested using Chi square and p< 0.05, at 95% CI. Data was summarized as frequency distribution and chart. Result: Mean age of participants was 23.2 ±1.8. 354(88.5%) participants head about sexual violence prior to this study with one hundred and eighteen respondents (29.5%) being victims of sexual violence in one way or the other. 32.2% of them knew people who had suffered sexual violence. Commonest age of awareness was between 20-24 years(p=0.001). The source of sexual violence awareness was largely from friends (26%), face book (23.2%) and whatsap (20.3%) with least awareness from school teachers and newspaper (4.5%). Close relatives 52.6% were noted to be the commonest perpetrators of sexual violence, followed by family friends 31.6% and unknown persons 15.8%. Conclusion: There is high prevalence of sexual violence with little or no institutional based awareness program on sexual violence that is a threat to the general public.

Studies on Nutrient Use Efficiency in Short Duration Red Gram (Cajanus cajan (l.) Millsp.) Varieties under Site-Specific Nutrient Management Techniques

Aim: To evaluate the nutrient use efficiency of short duration red gram varieties under site-specific nutrient management. Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was carried out in the rabi season of 2023 at an experimental farm in Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore. Experimental field was silty clay loam in texture with medium in available N (295 kg/ha), high in available P2O5 (kg /ha) and high in available K2O (285 kg/ha). Study Design: Split plot design. Methodology: The treatments consisted of three varieties in main plot namely V1- APK 1, V2- VBN 3, V3- VBN 1 and eight treatment in sub plots T1- (+NPK), T2 - N (-PK), T3 - P (-NK), T4 - K (-NP), T5 - PK (-N), T6 - NK (-P), T7 - NP (-K), and T8 - Control (-NPK). Result: Applying fertilizer as per recommended dose of nutrients without nutrient omission, resulted in increased nutrient use efficiency, agronomic efficiency, partial factor productivity and partial nutrient budget.