NANOPARTICLE ADDITIVES FOR MULTIPHASE SYSTEMS: SYNTHESIS, FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION

Study on nanoparticle additives in multiphase systems (liquid, polymer) are of immense interest in developing new product applications. Critical challenges for nanoparticle additives include their synthesis, formulation and characterization. These challenges are addressed in three application areas: nanofluids for engine lubrication, ultrathin nanocomposites for optical devices, and nanoparticle size distribution characterization. Nanoparticle additives in oligomer mixtures can be used to develop extended temperature range motor oils. A model system includes poly(α-olefin) based oligomers with a modest fraction of poly(dimethylsiloxane) oligomers along with graphite as nanoparticle additive. Partition coefficients of each oligomer are determined since the oligomer mixture phase separated at temperatures less than -15 °C. Also, the surface of graphite additive is quantitatively analyzed and modified via silanization for each oligomer. Thus, upon separation of the oligomer mixture, each functionalized graphite additive migrates to its preferred oligomers and forms a uniform dispersion. Similarly, nanoparticle additives in polymer matrices can be used to develop new low haze ultrathin film optical coatings. A model system included an acrylate monomer as the continuous phase with monodisperse or bidisperse mixtures of silica nanoparticles deposited on glass and polycarbonate substrates. Surface (root mean squared roughness, Wenzel’s contact angle) and optical properties (haze) of these self assembled experimental surfaces were compared to simulated surface structures. Manipulating the size ratios of silica nanoparticle mixtures varied the average surface roughness and the height distributions, producing multimodal structures with different packing fractions. In both nanofluid and nanocomposite applications, nanoparticle additives tend to aggregate/agglomerate depending on various factors including the state of nanoparticles (powder, dispersion). A set of well-characterized ceria and titania nanoparticle products from commercial sources along with in-lab synthesized nanoparticles were studied via fractal theory. Fractal coefficients were obtained through two-dimensional images (from electron microscopy) and particle size distributions (from electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering). For some arbitrary collections of aggregated nanoparticle materials, the fractal coefficients via two-dimensional images correlated well to the average primary particle size. This complementary tool could be used along with conventional nanoparticle characterization techniques when not much is known about the nanoparticle surfaces to characterize agglomeration or aggregation phenomena

Banks' adherence to the National Credit Act: its effects on domestic indebtedness and fragility in South Africa

Thesis (M.M. (Finance & Investment))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Graduate School of Business Administration, 2015.South African credit industry is governed by the National Credit Act 34 of 2005 (NCA), which came into effect on 1st June 2006. This Act was created to bring about efficiency, transparency and accessibility to credit, which was not achievable under the predecessor provisions of the Usury Act 73 of 1968 and the Credit Agreements Act 75 of 1980. South Africa’s credit history has been riddled with discrimination and unfair practices; therefore the NCA is seen as an important regulation in attempts to bring stability and equality to the financial sector. All credit providers are governed by the NCA and are subjected to strict regulations and compliance in terms of interest rates, fees, conduct and disclosure. Unsecured credit is one of the credit agreements which is regulated by the NCA. This refers to all credit agreements that the credit provider and the consumer has entered into, where there is no tangible security offered as recourse for non-payment by the consumer. In statistics produced by the National Credit Regulator (NCR), figures showed an astounding growth in unsecured credit. It was therefore valuable to investigate the role that the NCA played in the growth of unsecured credit and the effect this growth has had on domestic indebtedness and fragility for the South African economy. Both literature and primary data was drawn on to analyse the research problem. The primary data tools consisted of an interview instrument and a questionnaire instrument which was used to glean two perspectives on the subject researched. There were 10 interview respondents and 223 questionnaire respondents that were included in the sample. Interviews consisted of 8 open-ended questions which were aimed at respondents that had a good knowledge of the credit industry, the NCA and unsecured lending in South Africa. Respondents were categorised according to the sector they represented namely banks, regulators and investment companies. The questionnaire instrument consisted of 3 sections namely demographic information, knowledge of the NCA and debt information, with a total of 34 questions. Given the literature on hand, the analysis of both primary data instruments provided results that showed that the NCA’s regulations was a key driver in the growth of unsecured credit, alongside consumers’ demand. The research also indicated that the incidence of a credit bubble bursting was minimal particularly due to the introduction of the National Credit Amendment Act 19 of 2014, which closed a few loopholes found in the NCA. A further inference that could be drawn is that banks have adequate credit assessment criteria and systems in place and are therefore in a position to profile consumers correctly. Consumers, it was found, are knowledgeable on credit related matters and in addition to this; there are many initiatives, by both banks and the government, for consumer credit education. Overall banks did comply with the NCA’s regulations; however, it was found that it was the NCA’s regulations that had effects on domestic indebtedness and by extension, the fragility on the economy

Plant variety protection and traditional agricultural knowledge in Southeast Asia

This article provides an overview of the emerging plant variety protection (PVP) systems in Southeast Asia. The case studies are from countries that form part of the regional Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), mainly Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand. The focus will be on the intersection between intellectual property rights (IPRs) and popular demands for the protection of the traditional knowledge (TK) of local communities. Factors that fuelled the emergence and shaped the content of the PVP laws were the obligation to comply with art 27(3)(b) of the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement), aspirations for the development of the biotechnology industry, avoidance of possible sanction under the US ‘Special 301’ procedure, Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), the role played by the International Union for the Protection of New Plant Varieties (UPOV), technical assistance from UPOV member countries, membership of international biodiversity treaties and demands from civil society organisations for protection of TK. The PVP laws that resulted present an uneasy amalgam of conventional property rights with some aspects of protection of TK. It is very likely that the local communities claiming TK rights will face legal hurdles, in as much as government agencies implementing the law will face administrative and technical complications

Impact of land cover change on urban surface temperature in Iskandar Malaysia

Iskandar Malaysia is one of the most ambitious and impressive development projects ever undertaken in Malaysia that has been experiencing rapid rate of land use change since 2006. Land use change is due to the urban expansion and reduction in natural green areas resulted from enhanced economic growth. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of land use and land cover changes (LULCC) on land surface temperature changes in Iskandar Malaysia and to predict the land surface temperature (LST) based on the LULCC by 2025. Remote sensing data such as Landsat (Landsat 5, 7 and 8) were used to calculate the LST and to determine the contribution of urban greenery as a possible remedy to Urban Heat Island (UHI). Weighted Average statistical technique was further used to calculate the effect of changes (increase and decrease) in each land use/cover (LULC) types on LST and predict the LST of entire Iskandar Malaysia by 2025. It was found that build up areas are the warmest land use during the days while forest and mangrove areas have the lowest day time LST. An increase in LST of 3.28 °C was found for urban surface from 1989 to 2013. A similar pattern was also seen in LST for other land cover classes and the increase was 1.96 °C for forest, 2.05 °C (Rubber), 2.47 °C (mangrove), 2.6 °C (oil palm) and 2.86 °C for water. Mean LST for entire Iskandar Malaysia rose from 21.88 °C to 24.78 °C (2.85 °C) by the year of 1989 and 2013. It is predicted that it will increase to 25.3 C by the year of 2025

Tree canopy cover and its potential to reduce CO2 in South of Peninsular Malaysia

Urban trees provide a wide range of ecosystem services that can address climate-change mitigation and adaptation. In this study, the tree cover and their potential to store carbon in two cities (Johor Bahru and Pasir Gudang) that are developing rapidly in the south of Peninsular Malaysia have been estimated. Tree coverage was mapped using Landsat 8 Thematic Mapper satellite data for year 2016. Various digital image processing techniques namely Maximum Likelihood and a sub-pixel classification were applied to obtain tree coverage of urban trees/forest, mangrove and oil palm. Results of the study show that natural tree coverage (forest and mangrove) in the cities range between 19 % and 47 % and generally Pasir Gudang has more tree coverage compared to Johor Bahru. Johor Bahru is the centre for various business and cultural activities, thus more built up areas are found in the city. On average, trees in the cities store approximately 796,136 t carbon or 2,919,164 t CO2-eq which is about 18 % of the total CO2-equivalent emissions projected for 2025 under the Business as Usual (BaU) scenario. The mapping of tree canopy cover and estimating their potential to store carbon is important for assessing climate change mitigation

Green corridors for liveable and walkable city: A case of Kuala Lumpur

The concept of sustainability embraces the conservation of the environment, cultural preservation, economic stability and overcoming of social problems. To ensure urban sustainability, one of the crucial factors is the environmental health, in which the environment should be kept in the best condition in developing countries thereby leading to reduction of environmental pollution. Green corridors in cities are one such way to ensure that the green areas are being used optimally. Such studies do exist in Malaysia but there is no established and published implementation. There is a need to analyse and study the current problems of the existing green corridors plans. This paper helps to visualise all the six suggested routes of the green corridors that had been made in Kuala Lumpur city. It discusses the opportunities and limitations of the plans as well as ways to improve for a successful implementation of green corridors in Kuala Lumpur

A systematic review and meta-analysis of solar technology impacts on rural households: experiences from the Global South.

Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Renewable energy technologies are widely prescribed to address multiple developmental needs, especially in developing contexts. As reflected in the growing body of literature, these devices and energy sources can generate socio-economic and environmental benefits and offer relatively rapid transitions to more sustainable practices. In this regard, it is essential to understand and identify the links among their impacts at a household and community level. This study aimed to critically examine how the impacts of solar technologies have been examined and measured at the household level, focusing on low-income and rural communities across the Global South. This review systematically focuses on research within a specified temporal range, 1999 to 2019, concerning the UNDG’s definition of impact and the sustainable livelihood’s theoretical framework. The motivation for this review is to establish whether research of the developing contexts have been able to respond to the multi-dimensionality of energy access and determine whether research has been a reflection of the changing energy narratives on energy needs. In addition, this review examines how and whether the impacts of solar energy technologies (SETs) are examined in relation to specific livelihood outcomes. Following the PRISMA 2009 and 2020 guideline for systematic reviews, the Web of Science, Google Scholar, and WorldCat databases were used. The initial search yielded (n=175187), which was later reduced to a total of n=56 cases that met the geographic, temporal, and contentrelated criteria. It was found that over the temporal range, Global South countries contributed a significantly lower number of published research compared to the global north countries. Over time, progressive trends in the proportion, dissemination and development of different SET’s could be identified as literature was found to have investigated several types of SETs across 24 different Global South countries using eight different analyses dominated by mixedmethod approaches and field survey methods. The meta-analysis revealed that despite the diversity in indicators, no studies reported against all capital bases of rural livelihoods. In addition, the classification identified that there were more qualitative and indirect measures of SET impact at the household level. Despite financial indicators appearing in all the reviewed studies, the diversity and inclusivity of the indicators used were reflected in the increasing proportion with which other livelihood impacts were recorded over the temporal range. From the analysis of mean impacts, the overall impression given is that SET’s have a positive impact on the livelihoods rural households in developing countries. However, the proportion of studies using each indicator is insufficient for these impacts to be definitive due to the variation. The review concludes that the impacts of solar technologies at the household level in developing contexts are not specific to livelihoods benefits in how they are reported. This makes it difficult to assess the overall successes of RET- transfer in the domestic sector. A recommendation based on this review is to use mixed method approaches, more diverse indicators and the SLA and UNDG’s definition of impact. This would ensure that future impact analyses are a true reflection of all possible impacts of SET’s on rural households and the selection of the most appropriate SET’s to be installed in rural households. There should be significant efforts to bring together academia, industry, and government to facilitate and encourage further research and expand SET’s across more developing countries to promote development and innovation within the industry. Lastly, to ensure that SET’s have a sustainable impact on rural households the operation and maintenance of SET’s needs to increase.List of Abbreviations is on pages x-xi

Identification of suitable trees for urban parks and roadsides in Iskandar Malaysia

Urban trees provide a number of benefits, mainly for environment, community, and economy, but can also be harmful to property and human lives. Urban trees planted at roadsides with low endurance rate and unhealthiness increase the risk of tree fracture and fall which is hazardous to motorists and pedestrians. Overhanging limbs, on the other hand, can obscure streetlights, signs and traffic signals and affect road users’ vision in vicinity. These situations contribute to the cumulative maintenance burden to the local authority. This makes the study of maintenance level and suitable location for urban tree planting important. An appropriate maintenance and location can be suggested for assuring a healthy, safe, resilient and long-term survival of urban trees. Urban tree field data from two local authorities in Iskandar Malaysia region (located in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia), Johor Bahru City Council, and Pasir Gudang Municipal Council, were obtained to achieve the objective of this study. Survey based on questionnaire was conducted to gain detailed information about the maintenance level of existing trees and their suitable locations in the cities from the professionals including urban planners, landscape architects, and certified arborists. By applying a simple scoring method to the data obtained from professionals, suitable locations for existing trees in the two cities were determined. The scores range between 0 and 300 and the highest value means less maintenance is required by the trees. Results show that Mimosup elengi tree species (Sapotaceae family) has the highest score of 300 followed by Cinnamomum verum (297) and Hopea odorata (283). Khaya senegalensis, on the other hand, with 245 score value was found to require high levels of maintenance. The results also indicate that maintenance level and suitable location for planting vary and depending on the features of the tree species. Strongest trees or limbs tend to cause less problems thus require less maintenance. Trees found in the nature (forest) including Mimosup elengi and Cinnamomum verum are usually more resilient and can tolerate a wide range of conditions and locations. This study can help reducing the risk of tree fracture and fall, prolong the life of trees, and reduce the burden of maintenance for local authorities and decision makers by providing insights to the maintenance level and suitable locations for planting and to make better management plans for urban forestry in Malaysia in the future

Colour and Other Related Quality Characteristics of Canned Pineapple (Ananas Comosus L. Merr.) as Affected by Storage Period and Canning Media

The effects of storage period and canning media on canned pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merr.) slices (CPS) were determined. The canned pineapples were stored at ambient temperature for 6 and 12 months with 0 month acting as the control. The pineapple slices were canned in media containing pineapple juice and light and heavy syrup. The CPS studied belonged to grades Standard, Choice and Fancy according to the Malaysian Standard Specifications for Canned Pineapples (MSSCP). The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement of treatments (3 storage period x 3 types of canning media), and with three replications. The results indicated that the can vacuum and can headspace were not affected by storage period and cann ing media. Values of lightness and hue decreased gradually in CPS canned in pineapple juice and heavy syrup when stored after 6 months. CPS in light syrup had the lowest hO compared to those in pineapple juice and heavy syrup. Flesh firmness of Standard and Choice grades CPS showed sharp decreased after 6 and J2 months storage. Fancy grade showed a gradual decrease in flesh firmness throughout the storage period. Standard and Choice grades CPS canned in pineapple juice and heavy syrup had firmer flesh throughout the storage period compared to those in light syrup. Standard and Choice grades CPS showed sharp increases in soluble solids concentration (SSC) after 6 and 12 months storage. CPS in pineapple juice and heavy syrup showed gradual increased in SSC throughout the storage period. The percentage of B-carotene was highest in Standard grade CPS in heavy syrup, followed by pineapple juice and light syrup. Choice grade CPS canned in pineapple juice and heavy syrup showed higher percentages of B-carotene compared to those in light syrup, whereas Fancy grade CPS in light syrup showed the lowest percentage of B-carotene. B-carotene was positively and significantly correlated with L * and hO colour values indicating that CPS with high amount of B-carotene were lighter yellow. The results of this research can be used to develop the quality criteria of canned pineapples in the MSSCP so that the Malaysian canned pineapple can be more acceptable in the export markets