Morphology and Electrical Characteristics of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Film Prepared by Air Brush Technique

This study is to investigate the morphology and electrical characteristics of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) thin film deposition using air brush technique. A deposition setup consisting of a conventional artist air brush was developed and used to deposit SWCNT thin films and therefore the resulting film’s characteristics need to be investigated to gauge its suitability in producing uniform monolayer. The SWCNTs used were synthesized via Direct Injection Pyrolytic Synthesis (DIPS) method, with diameters ranging from 0.8 to 3 nm. The substrate was deposited using an airbrush with varying nozzle to study its effect to the resulting SWCNTs thin films’ characteristics. Subsequently, scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to inspect the morphology and surface topography, and followed by preliminary electrical measurements. The result shows that good dispersion promotes uniform distribution of SWCNTs over large area of glass substrate. Moreover, the electrical measurement revealed that at 1 V, best morphology produced highest current at a nozzle height of 10 mm (15.3 µA) and the lowest current at a nozzle height of 4 mm (3.24 µA). From the results presented, it is demonstrated that conventional artist airbrush setup can be effectively used to deposit monolayer thin film of SWCNT with high degree of uniformity. This research is necessary for the process of depositing-controlled CNT thin film network, which can influence the material characteristics and performance of the variety of CNT-based device applications

Mobile application as a new method in learning the history of photography course / Muhammad Asri Azuddin, Mohd Nasiruddin Abdul Aziz and Norhaslinda Shafie

Photography has an extraordinary history and numerous theories have been applied to its history and practice as part of an analytical research process contributing to the understanding of the medium. In this new era of technology, photography has become more affordable and transformed mobiles phones into a digital camera. Not only for communication but smartphones has grown more with the application where a small program can make it more fun and useful. However, informal studies about History of Photography, students still relying on the slideshow in the classroom, copying notes and lending books from the library. This traditional method of studies sometimes set the limit on the students to access the information. Parallel with Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to propel the nations' higher education to the next level, a quantitative study has taken place to get the feedback from students on using the mobile application in learning History of Photography course. A survey was conducted with 53 of students from semester two in photography program in a local public university. The findings of this study clearly show a very positive response towards the mobile application notes rather than the traditional learning methods

Development of a Pico-Hydro Generating System with SES-BMS for Domestic Use

Non-renewable resources have decreased significantly over the past decade, whereas, the current renewable energy system is expensive and more focused on large-scale use. The goal of this project was to design a user-friendly pico-hydro system with a Smart Energy Storage Battery Management System (SES-BMS) to utilize the potential of domestic water flow while saving energy consumption and daily costs. The overall system is a combination of the standard pipeline, a pico-turbine, the SES-BMS and a simple light source. The flow of water is utilized by converting kinetic energy into electrical energy. The design was performed by using the Engineering Design Process (EDP) with coding via Arduino microcontroller. The main outcome of this project was a proof of concept that showed the potential for domestic use of the pico-hydro system combined with the SES-BMS system. Compared to the previous mini-hydro design, the new system showed an increase in performance during the average flow rate in the domestic pipeline, generating an improved value of 68 mW of power during the flow rate of 0.075 x 10-3 m3/s. An optimal charging time of 10 hours is recommended to accommodate the 3.5-hour use of a 12W LED lamp, to maintain the stability and reliability of the system, especially the battery pack

Development of a Pico-Hydro Generating System with SES-BMS for Domestic Use

Non-renewable resources have decreased significantly over the past decade, whereas, the current renewable energy system is expensive and more focused on large-scale use. The goal of this project was to design a user-friendly pico-hydro system with a Smart Energy Storage Battery Management System (SES-BMS) to utilize the potential of domestic water flow while saving energy consumption and daily costs. The overall system is a combination of the standard pipeline, a pico-turbine, the SES-BMS and a simple light source. The flow of water is utilized by converting kinetic energy into electrical energy. The design was performed by using the Engineering Design Process (EDP) with coding via Arduino microcontroller. The main outcome of this project was a proof of concept that showed the potential for domestic use of the pico-hydro system combined with the SES-BMS system. Compared to the previous mini-hydro design, the new system showed an increase in performance during the average flow rate in the domestic pipeline, generating an improved value of 68 mW of power during the flow rate of 0.075 x 10-3 m3/s. An optimal charging time of 10 hours is recommended to accommodate the 3.5-hour use of a 12W LED lamp, to maintain the stability and reliability of the system, especially the battery pack

Mycotoxin production by Fusarium proliferatum and Fusarium fujikuroi causing stem rot of hylocereus polyrhizus in Malaysia

Fusarium proliferatum and Fusarium fujikuroi are the causative pathogens of stem rot in red-fleshed dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus). Both species are toxigenic fungi that produce several mycotoxins, including fumonisin B1 (FB1 ), moniliformin (MON), and beauvericin (BEA). These mycotoxins exert phytotoxic effects and are involved in pathogenesis in the host plants. In this study, we investigated the ability of F. proliferatum and F. fujikuroi to produce FB1 , MON, and BEA. Polymerase chain reaction amplification using FUM1-specific primers detected the gene in all 44 isolates tested, indicating that all isolates produced FB1 . Isolates of F. proliferatum and F. fujikuroi produced variable concentrations of FB1 , ranging from 11.97–236.80 µg/g. MON and BEA were also produced at 0.48–174.84 µg/g and 0.28–70.02 µg/g, respectively by isolates of F. proliferatum and F. fujikuroi. These results suggest that the three mycotoxins play roles in stem rot disease development and symptom manifestation, as all isolates tested were pathogenic and led to stem rot in H. polyrhizus

Characterization and mycotoxin analysis of Fusarium spp. from highland areas in Malaysia

Fusarium isolates from highland areas in Malaysia were mostly recovered from two species of grasses, Elyhordeum montanense and Paspalum conjugatum. The isolates were grouped into four morphological groups. Based on TEF-1α sequences, morphotype 1 isolates were molecularly identified as F. graminearum species complex, morphotype 2 as F. venenatum, morphotype 3 as F. avenaceum and morphotype 4 as F. kyushuense. Restriction analysis of the Intergenic Spacer region showed high levels of genetic diversity of isolates in F. graminearum species complex and F. venenatum. For mycotoxin analysis, only F. avenaceum and F. kyushuense produced beauvericin and moniliformin (0.869 & 0.321 µg/kg, respectively). Zearalenone was produced by 32 isolates of F. graminearum species complex (0.002 – 0.437 µg/kg), two isolates of F. venenatum (0.006 - 0.014 µg/kg) and F. kyushuense (0.006 µg/kg). Only F. avenaceum isolate produced fumonisin B1 (0.001 µg/kg). The present study indicates the occurrence of Fusarium species commonly reported in highland areas in Malaysia where the weather is cooler and the temperature is lower than in the lowland areas. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the occurrence of phylogenetic species within F. graminearum species complex, F. venenatum, F. avenaceum and F. kyushuense in Malaysia

Standardized bioassays: an improved method for studying Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 4 (FocR4) pathogen stress response in Musa acuminata cv. ‘Berangan’

To date, there is no standardized Fusarium bioassay protocol established owing partly to the wide variety of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) isolates and banana cultivars present. Thus, validation of the infection parameters is deemed essential prior to each bioassay experiment. In the current study, a simple standardized workflow was developed based on available assays for testing Fusarium wilt disease response in Musa acuminata using M. acuminata cv. ‘Berangan’ of tissue-culture origin as a model. The phenotypic assays were able to detect external disease symptoms less than one week post-inoculation, while the molecular approach using RT-qPCR identified differential expression of catalase (CAT), pathogenesis-related 10 (PR10), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and xylanase (XYL) genes as early as day 0. The transcript levels of PR10 and XYL fluctuated over 4 days of Foc Race 4 (FocR4 C1 HIR isolate) infection while the expression of CAT steadily increased over time. In contrast, PAL was highly upregulated at 2 days post-inoculation. These signature changes suggest that all genes tested might be involved in the early defense response of ‘Berangan’ plants against FocR4 infection. ‘Berangan’ cultivar was found to be highly susceptible to Foc Race 4 (C1 HIR isolate) with leaf symptoms index (LSI) and rhizome discoloration index (RDI) scores of 4.257 and 5.971, respectively. The procedure elaborated in this study can be used as a reference Foc bioassay for reproducible and comparable results possibly across cultivars and test isolates due to its simple steps aided by integration of phenotypic and molecular approach

Effect of GMAW-CMT Heat Input on Weld Bead Profile Geometry for Freeform Fabrication of Aluminium Parts

In developing a new method for weld based freeform fabrication, parameter affecting the geometry of single-pass need to be determined as it has great influence on dimensional accuracy and mechanical property of metallic part. In this paper, profile geometry and microstructure of single pass weld bead developed using Gas Metal Arc Welding Cold Metal Transfer (GMAW-CMT) was investigated. Observation on cross sectional weld bead indicates GMAW-CMT has capability to produce free spatter and crack defect weld bead. Profile geometry measurement shows weld bead develop at higher heat input has width size larger than the weld bead develop at lower heat input. Microstructure examination in the substrate reveals formation of columnar dendritic, cellular and planar structure while at buildup layer exhibit equiaxed dendritic structure

SWCNT Network-FET Device for Human Serum Albumin Detection

A thin film of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) network field-effect transistor (FET) was fabricated by a simple, fast, and reliable deposition method for electronic applications. This study aims to develop a method for fabricating a thin film of random SWCNTs to be used as a transducer to detect human serum albumin (HSA) in biosensor applications. The random SWCNT network was deposited using the airbrush technique. The morphology of the CNT network was examined by utilising atomic force microscopy (AFM) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), while electrical characteristics were analysed using three-terminal IV measurements. The thin film (SWCNT network) was applied as a transducer to detect human serum albumin (HSA) based on its covalent interaction with antibodies. HSA plays a significant part in the physiological functions of the human body. The surface alteration of the SWCNTs was verified using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Electrical current–voltage measurements validated the surface binding and HSA detection. The biosensor linearly recorded a 0.47 fg/mL limit of detection (LOD) and a high sensitivity of 3.44 μA (g/mL)−1 between 1 fg/mL and 10 pg/mL. This device can also be used to identify a genuine HSA despite interference from other biomolecules (i.e., bovine serum albumin (BSA)), thus demonstrating the random SWCNT-FET immunosensor ability to quantify HSA in a complex biological environment

Fine art photography : a new perspective in documenting architecture / Norhaslinda Shafie, Mohd Nasiruddin Abdul Aziz and Muhammad Asri Azuddin

Nowadays, our environment surrounded by thousands of images. Images are essential in human communication then, it can be viewed from a verity of form and style. Thereby, this research intended to explore the perspective of fine art photography in documenting the architecture. Masjid Ubaidah, Kuala Kangsar was selected as the case study to implement this new perspective of photograph specifically. This study was conducted using qualitative research where the design process was involved in visual research analysis. The structure observation was carried out to identify the common style used by photographer in producing the images of Masjid Ubaidah, Kuala Kangsar and how the creativity and aesthetic value can be built by injecting the fine art approach. This research found that the potential for fine art approach as a new method in documenting Masjid Ubaidah, Kuala Kangsar by establishing the diversity of creativity in aesthetic discussion