Household Sustainable Consumption Intention

Household consumption could hurt the environment. What we collectively choose and consume on a day-to-day basis determines what’s left for future generations. As household consumption is one of the largest activities in an economy, sustainable consumption is an important key to achieving sustainability goals. Improvement in the role of individual citizens in society, concerning sustainability is vital for a better future in all aspects of the environment, society and economy. The purpose of this article is to examine how education, sustainable awareness and attitude, as well as social influence impact the intention to consume sustainably among households. The method used is quantitative where cross-sectional data was collected through an online self-administered questionnaire in which a convenience sampling method was applied to 151 respondents. The data was analyzed using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) by utilizing SmartPLS3 software. The findings suggest that social influence and sustainable awareness and attitude had a significant influence on the intention toward sustainable consumption among households. Education however was found to be insignificant and not sufficient as the predictor in this study. Implications for policymakers and the directions of future research are proposed

Cordless printed circuit board transformers for power transfer in neuroprosthesis

Author name used in this publication: K. W. E. ChengAuthor name used in this publication: K. Y. TongRefereed conference paper2006-2007 > Academic research: refereed > Refereed conference paperVersion of RecordPublishe

Fabrication of organic photovoltaic devices by the layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte deposition method

Organic photovoltaic cells were fabricated by the layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte deposition process by which the film thickness can be controlled accurately. Ruthenium/rhenium complexes containing poly(p-phenylenevinylene) and sulfonated polyaniline were used in the process. This new method provides flexibility in the fabrication of multilayer polymeric devices with well-defined structure. © 2005 IEEE.published_or_final_versio

Adaptive Controller Algorithm for 2-DOF Humanoid Robot Arm

AbstractA computational model of human motor control for a nonlinear 2 degrees-of-freedom (DOF) robot arm to mimic humanlike behavior is developed and presented in this paper. The model is based on a simple mathematical model of a 2-segment compound pendulum which mimics the human upper arm and forearm. Using the Lagrangian and Euler-Lagrange equations, the 2-DOF dynamic equations were successfully derived and solved using Euler's method. Two types of controllers; a feedback Proportional-Derivative (PD) controller and a feedforward controller, were combined into the model. The algorithm exhibited learning of the necessary torque required in performing the desired Position Control via Specific Trajectory (PCST) rehabilitative task via feedback control and using it as the feedforward torque in subsequent trial motions. After 30 trials, the mean absolute error with respect to the desired motion of the upper arm, showed a decrease from 0.09533 to 0.005859, and the forearm motion from 0.3526 to 0.006138. This decrement trend in mean absolute errorwith increase in number of trials is consistent with the adaptive control strategy of the human arm known as the Feedback Error Learning (FEL) strategy

Fabrication of bulk heterojunction photovoltaic devices using sublimable rhenium diimine complexes as photosensitizers

A series of chlorotricarbonyl rhenium (I) bis(phenylimino)acenaphthene (Re-DIAN-X) complexes were used as the photosensitizers for photovoltaic cells. Unlike other transition-metal-based photovoltaic sensitizers that can only be prepared by solution method, these complexes are sublimable. Compared to other rhenium diimine complexes based on bipyridine or 1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene ligands, these complexes have lower band gaps, which can be modified easily by changing the structure of the ligand. It allows the preparation of blend of metal complexes in order to broaden the sensitization region in UV-vis absorption spectrum. One of the complexes also shows bipolar charge transport character with relatively high charge carrier mobilities in the order of 10 -3 cm2V-1s-1. Multilayer heterojunction and bulk heterojunction devices with fullerene as the electron accepting molecule were prepared. For the bulk heterojunction devices, the fill factor and power conversion efficiency under AM 1.5 simulated solar light illumination were 0.51 and 1.29 %, respectively. The effects of changing the Re-DIAN/C60 film thickness, Re-DIAN/C60 ratio and variation of ligand structures in the bulk heterojunction devices were studied. The amount of photosensitizer and electron transport molecules may strongly affect the balance between the photon absorption, exciton formation, dissociation, and charge transport processes. Atomic force microscopic images showed that the complex dispersed evenly with fullerene molecules in solid state.published_or_final_versio

Development of a circuit for functional electrical stimulation

Author name used in this publication: Kai-Yu Tong2003-2004 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Fabrication of Photovoltaic Cell from Ruthenium Containing Polymer Using Layer by Layer Polyelectrolytes Adsorption Technique

Multilayer photovoltaic devices were fabricated by the sequence adsorption of different polyelectrolytes. A ruthenium terpyridine complex containing poly(p-phenylenevinylene) was used as the polycation layer. This polymer has been shown to exhibit large photo-sensitivity due to the presence of the ruthenium complex, which has relatively long-lived excited state. This polymer absorbs strongly in the visible region at ca. 480-550 nm and it can act as the electron transporter. Sulfonated polyaniline was used as the hole-transporting polyanion layer. The ITO/(polyanion/polycation) n/A1 devices were found to exhibit photovoltaic properties under the illumination of AM1 solar radiation. The short-circuit current I sc, open-circuit voltage V oc, and the fill factor FF were measured to be 14 μA/cm 2, 0.84 V and 0.16 respectively. It was found that the power conversion efficiencies of the devices were dependent on the device thickness. This simple layer-by-layer self-assembly method allowed us to control the devices thickness accurately.published_or_final_versio

Terpenoid, benzenoid and phenylpropanoid compounds in the floral scent of vanda mimi palmer.

Vanda Mimi Palmer is the product of a cross between Vanda Tan Chay Yan and Vanda tessellata. The flower of this hybrid produces a sweet-smelling fragrance during day time at the open-flower stage. This study aimed to investigate the floral scent constituents in Vanda Mimi Palmer. Scent emission analysis of this orchid was carried out at different time points in a 24-h cycle and also at different floral developmental stages. A comparison was also made on the volatiles emitted by Vanda Mimi Palmer and both of its parents. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed that the scent of Vanda Mimi Palmer was dominated by terpenoid, benzenoid, and phenylpropanoid compounds. The identified terpenoids were ocimene, linalool oxide, linalool, and nerolidol; while the benzenoid and phenylpropanoid compounds were methylbenzoate, benzyl acetate, phenylethanol, and phenylethyl acetate. The emission of terpenoid, benzenoid, and phenylpropanoid compounds was developmentally and temporally regulated. Comparison of the volatiles emitted by both of its parents showed that the scent of Vanda Mimi Palmer is dissimilar to that of its fragrant parent, V. tessellata

Impacts of risk based capital regulation in Malaysian Islamic insurers (Takaful)

Risk Based Capital framework for Takaful operators (RBCT) is enforced by the Central Bank of Malaysia with the aim to ensure that Takaful operators have adequate capital to provide sound financial service. The objectives of this article is to examine the impacts of RBCT on efficiency, productivity and competitiveness level of Family Takaful Operators (FTO) and the relationship between efficiency and competitiveness in FTO in Malaysia. This study employs three methods namely Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) and Panzar Rosse (PR) to investigate the impacts of RBC on the efficiency, productivity and competitiveness of FTO in Malaysia. The efficiency results indicate that after RBCT comes into effect, the cost efficiency has achieved higher efficient level. Although the productivity efficiency are improving, the technological systems of FTO are yet to achieve a reasonable level. From competitiveness results, the FTO are less competitive prior the implementation of RBCT, but has become more competitive after the regulation of RBCT framework. Furthermore, the more efficient of a Takaful market, the more competitive the market is. The implication of this study is that regulators need to impose prudent risk based capital regulation because it will improve the efficiency and competitiveness of Islamic insurers

Low-band-gap, sublimable rhenium(I) diimine complex for efficient bulk heterojunction photovoltaic devices

The fabrication of efficient bulk heterojunction photovoltaic cells using the chlorotricarbonyl rhenium(I) diimine complex as photosensitizer was discussed. The complex has a lower band gap, which can be adjusted easily by changing the structure of the ligand. The electric properties of the complex were studied using time-of-flight analysis. It was observed that the rhenium complex showed bipolar charge transport character with relatively high electron and hole mobilities.published_or_final_versio