Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of a miniature wind turbine

This study is about the analysis of miniature wind turbine using Computational Fluids Dynamics (CFD). Wind energy is one of the renewable energy resources and the applications of wind turbine have been used in several countries. Basically there are three types of wind turbine that exists. Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine, Vertical Axis Wind Turbine and Offshore Wind Turbine. These three types of wind turbine have their own advantages and disadvantages. Horizontal Wind Turbines is the most popular type of wind turbine in practice nowadays. The miniature wind turbine is more practically used for residential area and has power output in the range of 400 W to 10 kW. Theoretically, in order to produce 10kW of power output, the wind speed must be at least 7 m/s. As for this study, the wind speed is at 4 m/s inaccordance to the Malaysian average wind speed. The maximum size of rotor blade for a miniature wind turbine is 7 m diameter. Analysis has been conducted using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). In this project, the result is achieved by using COSMOFlow Work. In COSMOFlow Work, the value of Torque (Nm) measured is the value of force acting on the miniature rotor blade. A comparison study using Blade Element Momentum (BEM) theory has been conducted to ensure that the value of Torque from CFD and BEM in this project is synchronized. This is to prove that the analysis conducted correlated to the theory of wind turbine is correct and undoubful. As for the conclusion, this project has successfully achieved its targeted objectives

Tilt compensated mechanical measurement mechanism for very shallow water USV bathymetry

Currently researchers are advancing unmanned surface vehicle (USV) for bathymetry and hydrography applications. The idea of USV was introduced to avoid the risk and danger of personnel on the water terrain. When it comes to shallow water bathymetry mapping most method has the limitation to measure terrain which less than 1 meter deep. Commonly USV uses sonar depth sensor to measure the water depth yet it has a minimum range which it can measure. In this paper, the USV has been equipped with an additional mechanical bar measurer to be used on the very shallow part of the water bodies. By lowering and measuring the angle of the bar respect to the boat’s draft, the depth of the very shallow water can be obtained. The cases of the rocking of the boat are also being considered by measuring the roll and pitch and implement forward kinematic method for depth correction

The impact of vitamin D on clinical parameters and bone turnover biomarkers in ligature-induced periodontitis: An experimental study in rats

Objectives and Background: Vitamin D has been associated with an increased risk of tooth loss and the severity of periodontal diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D on the clinical, radiographic, and serum level changes of bone turnover biomarkers in ligature-induced periodontitis. Methods: A total of 28 rats were included in this study and divided into test groups: Vitamin D supplement (VS), Vitamin D deficient (VD), and control (CG). Ligature-induced periodontal tissue destruction was performed and kept for 21 days. Clinical attachment and radiographic changes were recorded, and serum samples were tested for Osteoprotegerin (OPG), Dickkopf-1 (DKK1), Sclerostin (SOST), and Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) on the initial and final day of the study. Results: Groups that were made VD exhibited a more significant amount of clinical attachment loss (1.05 ± 0.50 mm) compared to the CG (0.83 ± 0.14 mm) and VS group (0.60 ± 0.13 mm), showing significant differences (p < 0.05). The radiographic alveolar bone loss amount was greater in the VD group compared to the other groups. For serum level assessment, the VD groups also exhibited a statistically significant reduction in the levels of OPG. They showed higher concentrations of DKK1, SOST, and FGF23 than other groups, with significant differences (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results revealed that Vitamin D may play a role in the progression of periodontal disease. It was found to affect both clinical parameters and bone turnover biomarkers, suggesting its potential impact on the disease process

Multiplexing of unformatted asynchronous serial data to a single NMEA 0183 protocol compliance data-stream for autonomous surface vehicles data logging

Development of autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) for hydrography survey requires varieties of transducers to be setup. However, several of the commercial of the shelf (COTS) transducers are using a different format of data transmission. Therefore, there is a need for built-in communication protocols for seamless integration to your monitoring platform and data logging. This paper focuses on the practical implementation of the technique to convert unformatted asynchronous serial data from transducers into NMEA 0183 protocol. NMEA 0183 protocol is being selected as the common protocol since it is used by many marine vehicles. The technique lies on extracting the non-formatted asynchronous serial data and generates a custom made NMEA sentence that complies with the format. By implementing such technique, the data will not only synchronize in a single format but also stamp with the global positioning system (GPS) data which is crucial for mapping

Development and initial testing of an autonomous surface vehicle for shallow water mapping

Current technology offers variety of methods for underwater mapping a.k.a. bathymetry where Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) is used to complement the weakness of other bathymetry approach. In initializing the design of AquaDrone ASV, it started from deciding the specification of the ASV to draw a guideline of the prototype limit. The hull of the ASV was the first to be taken into consideration due to the measure of the vessel’s payload and stability. It was built with dual control modes which are the autonomous and the tele-operated mode with Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and compass module to assist its localization and navigation. The ASV was then tested at swimming pool, ponds and lakes to analyze its performance on maneuvering, sensors fusion, data logging, and communication range. It was proved to be operational

Design and development of an autonomous surface vessel for inland water depth monitoring

This paper is about design and development of an Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV) for inland water depth monitoring. Water depth measurement a.k.a bathymetry is important for critical areas such as river and water reservoir (dam) to estimate the volume and surface area for environment conservation and safety purpose. Conventionally, in inland water monitoring, the data obtained from the measurements are recorded in the log book and have to go through some screening process before plotting contour. This procedure is not only slow but also requires a lot of logistic equipment and labor forces. Therefore, an Autonomous Surface Vessel equipped with an echo sounder and data telemetry is proposed. It can be either remotely controlled or run automatically by autopilot navigation software. It is also equipped with GPS and compass for the navigation sensor feedback. The ASV was tested at several lakes for the performance of data collection and navigation