Transformation of dynamical practical lab for interactive virtual learning experience

Starting from the year 2020, the pandemic situation has forced a shift of most learning into the online mode. Making it much more challenging to exercise the physical lab work. Various approaches such as lab demo video and live discussion session were introduced as the immediate alternatives. However, these alternative models have a limitation where learners are still disconnected from the actual hardware for the hands-on learning experience. Available virtual lab modules in the market are costly and do not necessarily fit the required learning outcomes of courses. In this research, an initiative was taken to convert an engineering physical lab through commonly used software. The PowerPoint-Lab (PPT-Lab) is a low-cost lab tool that enhances the interface and interactive element in practical activities while engaging multiple learning domains within learners. Using the available functions in PowerPoint, a slide is designed and embedded with the 3D computer-aided design models to allow a virtual touch experience of the experimental hardware which is not possible with the 2D images in the lab manual. The PPT-Lab was implemented across Malaysia and Edinburgh campuses for the ‘Wheel and Axle Acceleration’ experiment. The PPT-Lab enables students to practically run the experiment virtually and collect individual distinct data which preventedplagiarism. The quality of students’ reports is comparable with the reports during physical lab time. A survey with first-timers and experienced students to the physical lab received positive feedback. A high number of students agreed that the PPT-Lab enabled them to run the same lab work off-campus

Operational Research on Design and Process Optimization of Ozone Water Application in Kitchen

Food safety is a very important focus in the kitchen industry today, as bacteria such as E.Coli and Salmonella are very difficult to tackle. The objective of the present study was to optimize nozzle designs that use ozone technology to bring out the best results in cleaning and sterilizing the kitchen utensils in Taylor’s University School of Hospitality kitchen area. This includes customization of the Medklinn International Sdn Bhd ozone machine and nozzle profiles that improve the effectiveness of ozone generated. Reduction or elimination of chemicals and water usage would be a part of the study. This will bring a huge impact on cost effectiveness, time saving and safety of the users. Return on investment (ROI) using ozone technology is calculated at the end of the research. To compare between the traditional way of cleaning and using ozone technology, the volume of water and dishwashing liquid used, and the Relative Light Units (RLU) before and after washing were recorded. The RLU numbers are found using the 3M Clean Trace measuring equipment. RLU was recorded to determine the cleanliness of the kitchen utensils before and after washing. It has been proved that ozone water with the accompaniment of the selected nozzle prototype is as efficient as the traditional way of cleaning

Development of a PID Controlled Arduino-Based Stabiliser

Inverted pendulum remained as the most popular topic for control theory researches because of its characteristic of being non-linear, unstable and under-actuated system. It is ideal for verification, validation and enhancement of control theory by stabilizing the inverted pendulum in an upright position using various controller and stabilizer mechanism. For this project, Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller is used to stabilize the inverted pendulum by tuning the respective gains (kP, kI, and kD) to control the parameters of inverted pendulum which includes the rise time, settling time, overshoot and steady-state error in cooperation with of Arduino microcontroller. The objective of this project is to design and build a stabilizer mechanism with the integration of mechanical and electrical components to stabilize two Directional (2D) inverted pendulum similar to 3D printer mechanism. Besides that, PID controller will be tuned in Arduino microcontroller and control the output of stabilizer mechanism. The stabilizer mechanism is designed in SolidWorks software and built using various manufacturing techniques, raw materials and 3D printing, while the electronics components such as gyroscope and Direct Current (DC) motors are controlled using Arduino Due in C++ language. The gyroscope determines the tilting angle of the pendulum as a feedback in the control loop, and the gains of PID are used to control the speed and direction of DC motor to provide sufficient force/torque to keep the inverted pendulum in an upright position. The stabilizer mechanism with inverted pendulum has been built and the gains of PID have been tuned using “trial and error” method as friction is now taken into consideration. The inverted pendulum is successfully stabilized in an upright position (0o measure at z-axis) using control theory

Stabilising an Inverted Pendulum with PID Controller

Inverted pendulum is a system in which the centre of the mass is above the pivot point, where the mass can freely rotate. The inverted pendulum has a unique trait; it is unpredictable, non-linear and consists of multiple variables. Balancing by PID controller is a continuous process where it corrects the feedback system error from the difference between the measured value and the desired value. This research mainly focusses on balancing an inverted pendulum with reaction wheel. The research objectives are to construct a self-balanced inverted pendulum and using PID controller to control the stability of the pendulum. The PID configuration is then evaluated based on the response of the system. The idea is to use the reaction torque generated by the motor to counter balance the inverted pendulum. The factor which governs the amount of torque generated is the height of the pendulum and the mass of the wheel. To balance the pendulum, tuning the PID gain is essential. Proportional gain is tuned first to get oscillation, next is to tune the integral and derivative gain to get a smoother and quicker response. Idea is to get short settling time, and minimum overshoot percentage. Hypothesis is that higher proportional gain will give a faster response rate and the acceleration of the motor is the key on generating torque. A simulation of the pendulum falling is simulated and the results are recorded in term of the response of the pendulum against time. At initial point, proportional gain, integral gain and derivative gain are set to zero to validate the simulation. The finding in this research is that torque is generated by the acceleration of the reaction wheel. Higher acceleration gives a high torque. Others findings is the PID parameter; Proportional gain increases the response rate; Integral gain is used to eliminate steady state error; Derivative gain is used to lessen the overshoot.</p

CDIO Project-Based Learning: Improving In-Depth Learning With iPad-Integrated Projects

Project-based learning is deemed to be effective in boosting student learning experiences and performance. By incorporating a blended learning approach, the use of iPads has been integrated into engineering project in the foundation in engineering (FIE) program under Taylor's University, Malaysia. The innovative teaching and learning aspects lie in consolidating the student's interest in playing with their iPad into productive learning by solving engineering challenges through conceive-design-implement-operate (CDIO) framework. The project requires the students to build a robocar to complete a certain challenge, which benchmarked with the public robotic competition. iPad was used for learning, designing, brainstorming, preparing project management documentation, and controlling the robocar. The practice has raised the in-depth learning skill while creatively solving an engineering challenge when they progress into the undergraduate program. The FIE students show better and satisfactory overall learning outcomes attainment as compared to the non-FIE students. </jats:p

Investigation of anti-windup Proportional-Integral controller with semi-decoupled tuning gains in motor speed control

Integral windup refers to a prevalent phenomenon that can occur in Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) control systems that employ integral control where the control output generated exceeds the operating limit of an actuator. Despite the system’s inability to respond further due to control output limitations, the integral controller perseveres in accumulating errors. The accumulation of error can lead to system instability and undesirable oscillations. Additionally, the dynamic response of the PID controller is also limited by the coupled tuning gain characteristics, complicating the process of gain tuning. The coupling and decoupling of the tuning gains are depending on the separation of the gains in the error dynamics of the system. In this study, a concept of semi-decoupled tuning gains in anti-windup controllers is proposed. The performance of the proposed controller was investigated through hardware simulation against conventional PI and existing anti-windup schemes and has demonstrated an overall improvement in its dynamic behaviour such as faster settling time and its ability to tune the system without significantly altering its damping ratio

Empowering the community and profession through collaborative digital learning

The global pandemic situation has shifted physical learning to online professional development to be challenging. This is particularly difficult to ensure effective psychomotor learning when learners are disconnected from the conventional peer interaction and physical hardware. This promoted the importance of resilience for both educators and learners to reconnect psychomotor learning through virtual/hybrid setting. A staff-student collaborative inspiration emerged with the collaboration across Malaysia and Edinburgh campuses in engaging multiple learning styles through remote digital learning. Aligned to the rising call of building innovation-entrepreneurship ecosystem, this student-led project focused on remote development of programming skills, translating ideas into tangible solution, and pitching among Malaysia and international students to address a selected Sustainable Development Goal. This inter-disciplinary initiative connects the field of engineering and psychology in studying the resilience context of learning. A resilience theme focuses on enhancing skills through digital platforms in building resilient communities. A total of 45 local and international students were engaged through an online prototype and idea pitching competition that supported by industrial workshops. A survey and thematic analysis were launched to gather the feedback from students upon completion of the project. The outcomes highlight the positive response from students’ perspective as participants and judges, and their learning growth. The studied themes indicate the effectiveness of learning through hardware/physical aspect on cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains. This project remarks a cross academic fields (engineering and psychology), sectors (academy and industry), countries (Malaysia and Edinburgh), and roles (educators and learners) inter-disciplinary team effort