BIOCHAR, CHARACTERISTICS AND ITS EFFECTS ON SOIL PROPERTIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION

Biochar (biological charcoal) is a charcoal product produced by heating biomass at temperatures ranging from 400oC-500oC in conditions without oxygen or minimal oxygen (pyrolysis). Biochar has the characteristic of having a high amount of aromatic carbon that is difficult to decompose by microorganisms. The use of biochar in the tropics is very beneficial for maintaining soil fertility and reducing atmospheric pollution with carbon dioxide and methane gases. Effectiveness of biochar depends on the type of biomass and temperature used at pyrolysis. Types of woody biomass produce coarser biochar, while leafy biomass, grasses produce finer biochar. Temperatures exceeding 500oC will produce more ash than biochar. Biochar has biochemical characteristics, aromatic structure and chemical content. Thus it can function to improve physical, chemical and absorbent properties. Aromatic structures are useful in slowing decomposition so that they hold carbon in the soil for long periods. Thus it can slow down the release of carbon and methane into the atmosphere

Human System Modelling For Labour Utilisation And Man-Machine Configuration At Cellular Manufacturing

Manufacturing complexity has become more challenging with increased in demand fluctuation, product customisation and shorter lead time expectation. It is becoming more crucial to measure manufacturing complexity to better recognise and control the various manufacturing components to achieve optimum manufacturing performance. Cellular manufacturing or group technology is a method used to manage manufacturing complexity based on clustering of different types of equipment to process parts. The organizational structure of cellular manufacturing will always need to be flexible for reconfiguration to address rapid changes in customer requirement especially in managing its dual constraints; human and machine. Very often, the human component is overlooked or overestimated due to poor understanding of the effects of human constraints and lack of study is linked to the difficulty to model human’s behaviour. The purpose of this study is to develop a human system model to fill the gap in the study of human constraints on cellular manufacturing’s performance. As such, a new human system framework focusing on the aspects of human dynamics and attributes was designed to be integrated with the predetermined time standards system in an expert system, eMOST. The new human system model was evaluated for applicability at the actual manufacturing environment through five case studies where accurate labour utilisation and man-machine configuration information were conceived. Thus, the newly defined approach was able to efficiently improve data capture, analysis and model human constraints. The human information from the model was integrated with other manufacturing resources using WITNESS simulation modelling tool focusing on the bottleneck area to further evaluate the dynamic impact of these components on the manufacturing performance. Simulation modelling experiments use has also proven advantageous to change manufacturing configurations and run alternative scenarios to improve the efficiency of the system in terms of the throughput, cycle time, operator utilisation and man-machine configuration. The findings of this study enabled the management to make good decisions to efficiently manage the human resource and better predictions to reconfigure and competently manage resources allocation

KONSEP KESERAGAMAN POLA SPASIAL LINGKUNGAN PERMUKIMAN BERBASIS SIG (SISTEM INFORMASI GEOGRAFIS) PADA KAWASAN MUARA SUNGAI TALLO KOTA MAKASSAR

Muara Sungai Tallo yang berada dibagian Utara Kota Makassar, yang terus tumbuh dan berkembang dari tahun ketahun. Saat ini dihuni oleh penduduk yang cukup padat dengan kondisi perumahan yang berhimpitan. Selain itu di daerah tersebut, terdapat perumahan yang dibangun di atas air yang telah melampaui sempadan sungai dengan kondisi sanitasi yang kurang sehat. Permukiman penduduk yang terus bertambah dengan memanfaatkan ruang sepanjang bantaran sungai. Hal ini menjadikan ruang-ruang dalam zona lindung berkurang sehingga perubahan ruang dapat berdampak pada ruang disekitarnya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui bentuk pola spasial lingkungan kawasan permukiman pesisir Tallo yang berbasis SIG, dilihat dari perubahan ruang yang terjadi pada kawasan tersebut. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian survey dengan menggunakan metode deskriptif kualitatif. Hasil dan Pembahasan Penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat beberapa faktor yang terjadi pada Kawasan muara sungai tallo, khususnya yang terdapat di wilayah RW. 04 Kelurahan Tallo, diantaranya yaitu 1) Terjadinya perkembangan permukiman pada Kawasan pesisir yang semakin kumuh, 2) Degradasi fisik lingkungan, 3) Sarana dan prasarana mengalami penurunan kualitas terutama drainase dan sanitasi, 4) Pengelolaan sampah yang belum sesuai dengan anjuran pemerintah, 5) Belum tersedianya RTH yang sesuai dengan peruntukannya, 6) Perilaku masyarakat terhadap lingkungan, masih relatif rendah, 7) Tingkat kesejahteraan masyarakat, masih tergolong rendah. Oleh karena itu, untuk mengantisipasi perubahan ruang disekitar Kawasan pesisir, berbagai steakholder dan partisipasi masyarakat, sangat dibutuhkan kerjsamanya untuk bisa saling bahu-membahu dan bekerjasama untuk menjaga lingkungan dan memelihara sumberdaya yang ada dengan tidak mengotori dan tidak merusak berbagai sarana dan prasarana yang telah disediakan, baik dari pemerintah maupun dari pihak swasta. Selain itu, untuk menciptakan lingkungan hunian yang kondusif, dibutuhkan komunikasi yang efektif terhadap seluruh pihak serta dibutuhkan konsep manajemen pengelolaan Kawasan yang merupakan gagasan untuk memberikan pembelajaran dalam mengubah pemikiran, sikap dan perilaku masyarakat yang terorganisir dengan aturan-aturan atau kesepakatan yang dikelola secara bersama berdasarkan sistem manajemen. Kata kunci: Spasial, Permukiman, Lingkungan, Sungai Tall

Supersonic particle deposition as potential corrosion treatment method for helicopter part in Malaysia

Aluminium types 7075,2024 and magnesium casting alloys are widely used in aircarft components, example Helicopter because of their inherent weight advantages over other metals but premature failure due to corrosion is one of the main challenges associated with this alloys, which affects the safety and readiness of aircraft. This paper is an outcome of project to address corrosion problem at Helicopter part using supersonic particle deposition as potential corrosion treatment method in Malaysia.Current practise of corrosion treatment by OEMs such as Sikorsky are using DOW-17 process or thermal spray coating. Disadvantage of DOW-17 process,it involve hazard material and Thermal spray coating issue of porosity and fatigue failure.The procedure focusing on particle deposition at supersonic level using material powder that suitable with substrate.Supersonic particle deposition using Aluminium coating will provide total solution for corrosion treatment for Aluminum airframe structure.There is no application yet of this coating technology in Malaysia and on top of that, coating at low temperatue that creates negligible heat affected zone and lead to excellent fatigue properties between deposited material and substrate, this will contribute to a big potential of SPD application in aircraft, automotive and tooling industry

Man to Machine Ratio (M2M) Technique for Labor Productivity Improvement

Tough global competition requires every manufacturer t.o be creative on ways to reduce every aspects of then manufacturing cost and to improve productivity. Labor cost is among the key cost cont1ibutors that the manufacturers are focusing on. Labor productivity improvement is all about getting more units out with the same or lesser amount of labor input. This paper describes the development of a work measurement technique called Man to Machine Ratio (M2M) which is a methodology to measure and improve labor productivity for the backend semiconductor production line. M2M is derived through combining the e;.;i sting method of process mapping, the established Maynard Operational Sequence Technique (MOST) predete1mined time standard and the derivation of an equation to measure the labor utilization percentage. Case studies were carried out on the application of the new technique in order to attain the existing labor utilization on the key process operators. The study results were used to identify labor productivity improvement and waste elimination projects in order to achieve the optimum labor utilization goal for the company

Rekayasa Pupuk Organik dan Pengaruhnya terhadap Potensi Hasil Tanaman Jagung Hibrida (Zea mays L.)

Penelitian rekayasa pupuk organik dan pengaruhnya terhadap potensi hasil tanaman jagung hibrida (Zea mays L.) telah dilakukan di Kebun Percobaan Fakultas Pertanian Univesitas Padjadjaran sejak Desember 2013 sampai akhir Februari 2014, bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh formula pupuk organik dan dosis terhadap potensi hasil tanaman jagung hibrida. Rancangan percobaan adalah Rancangan Acak kelompok dengan satu faktor perlakuan, yaitu formula pupuk organik A 4 t ha-1(kompos: jerami 30%, kasmur 10%, limbah buah nenas 20%, kohe sapi 20%, kohe kelinci 20%; 21 kg SP-36+ 4,5 kg KCl 60% t kompos-1). B 5 t ha- 1(kompos: jerami 40%, kasmur 10%, limbah buah nenas 10%, kohe sapi 30%, kohe kelinci 10%; 26 kg SP-36+ 5,5 kg KCl 60% t-1kompos)., C 5 t ha-1 (kompos: jerami 20%, kasmur 10%, limbah buah nenas 0%, kohe sapi 50%, kohe kelinci 20%; 30 kg SP-36+ KCl 60% 6,0 kg.). , D 4 t ha-1(kompos: jerami 20%, kasmur 10%, limbah buah nenas 10%, kohe sapi 60%, kohe kelinci  0%; 30 kg  SP-36 + 8,5 kg t-1 KCl 60%).E 5 t ha-1(kompos: jerami 50%, kasmur 0%, limbah buah nenas 0%, kohe sapi 50%, kohe kelinci 0%; 32 kg SP-36+ 7 kg KCl 60% t kompos-1), dan kontrol [K (tanpa formula pupuk organik)]. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa semua formula pupuk organik berpotensi meningkatkan bobot biomassa kering oven, bobot pipilan kering plot dan potensi hasil tanaman jagung per hektar. Formula E 5 t ha-1 berpotensi memberi hasil maksimum  10 t ha-1. Research about organic fertilizers formulation and its effect on maize yield potency was conducted at experimental field located in Universitas Padjadjaran, Jatinangor Sumedang, West Java, since December 2013 until Februari 2014. The experiment was aimed to determine the effect of organic fertilizers formulas to maize yield potency, which was arranged using a randomized block design and repeated six times with six treatment factors A 4 t ha-1(compost of: straw  30%, spent muschroom substrate  10%, pineapple waste 20%, cow dung 20%, rabbit droppings 20%; 21 kg SP-36+ 4,5 kg KCl 60% t compost-1). B 5 t ha- 1(compost of: straw 40%, spent muschroom substrate  10%, pineapple waste10%, cow dung 30%, rabbit droppings 10%; 26 kg SP-36+ 5,5 kg KCl 60% t-1compost-1)., C 5 t ha-1 (compost of: straw 20%, spent muschroom substrate  10%, pineapple waste%, cow dung 50%, rabbit droppings 20%; 30 kg SP-36+ KCl 60% 6,0 kgt compost-1), D 4 t ha-1(compost of: straw 20%, kasmur 10%, pineapple waste 10%, cow dung 60%, rabbit droppings 0%; 30 kg  SP-36 + 8,5 kg t-1 KCl 60%t compost-1).E 5 t ha-1(compost of: straw 50%, spent muschroom substrate  0%, pineapple waste 0%, cow dung 50%, rabbit droppings 0%; 32 kg SP-36+ 7 kg KCl 60% t compost-1), dan control [K (withouthorganic fertilizer formula)]. The result indicated that organic fertilizer formulas increased dry matter weight, seed dry weight per plot and potential yield per hectare. Organic fertilizer formulas E5 t ha-1 potentiallygave the maximum yield of 10 t ha-1

Development Of Man To Machine (M2M) Ratio Technique In Semiconductor Company

Tough global competition requires every manufacturer to be more creative on ways to reduce every aspect of their operational cost. To remain competitive, manufacturers need to shorten the cycle time in New Product Introduction to capture the market share,reduce manufacturing cost and explore ingenious ways to improve productivity. Labor cost is among the key cost contributors that the manufacturers are focusing on and lean manufacturing is among the strategy taken by many companies to improve their competitive advantage. Labor productivity improvement is all about getting more units out with the same or lesser amount of labor. Before determining the ideal number of people required for the operation, a proper method of defining the current utilization of the labor working on the equipment in the production line is required. Once the current labor utilization is known, only then the ideal utilization of the operator can be accurately determined and recommendations for productivity improvements can be made. Hence, the purpose of this research is to develop a suitable work study technique to measure the labor productivity at the semi-auto back-end semiconductor manufacturing line. This thesis aims to discuss the development of a work study technique called the Man to Machine Ratio (M2M) to determine the present manning utilization and propose ideal man to machine ratio of the back end semiconductor manufacturing processes. M2M technique was derived through the determination of the key factors from the established method of Process Mapping and Multi Machine Chart. In addition, MOST Predetermined Time Standard was used as the method to perform work measurement. To assist in the measurement stage, the M2M template was designed using Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet.Next, five case studies utilizing the Lean Six Sigma DMAIC project management approach were carried out to test the suitability of the M2M method at the back end semiconductor manufacturing line based on a set of key criteria. The case study results showed that the M2M method was able to determine labor utilization and man to machine ratio, provide accurate data and have the flexibility to be used at both manufacturing and non manufacturing processes. Moreover, M2M is easy to develop, maintain and communicate and does not require a high skill set. By employing the M2M method together with DMAIC systematic approach, focus area for productivity improvement could be identified and the back end semiconductor company will be on the right track towards achieving a leaner operation

A preliminary study of rural women entrepreneurs: Characteristics and business success factors

This paper aims to identify a demo-socio-economic profile of rural women entrepreneurs and investigate the elements of how cultural values, Islamic values, social and environment, individual beliefs, and opportunities/infrastructure have influence on the successful of rural business women.In this preliminary study, a total of 36 respondents in northern area of Kedah were interviewed.This study found most of the entrepreneurs are married and have some previous working experience.The result shows that almost 80 per cent of respondents believe in religion, work hard, and always thankful to God. They highlighted the importance of exposure to entrepreneurships since childhood, and keeping good manners as the most important factors in influencing the success of the business.In terms of Islamic practice, a total of 80.6 per cent agreed that the business must be ‘halal’ and trustworthy is a must in each transaction involved.This study further discovers that the biggest challenge is to balance the time between family and business

Learn English as Foreign Language using Language Laboratory of Elementary Education Program

Abstract: This research deals with the improved the student writing and listening English as the foreign language using language laboratory. Language laboratory used for getting some benefits to improve the student’ writing and listening. The aims of this research are: using language laboratory improves the student writing skill. This study employs the experimental method. The sample of this research consists of 40 students of The Elementary Education Program in academic year 2013/2014. The data were analyzed using the t-test to determine that significant differences between pre-test and post-test. The result of the student’ achievement in pre-test is low but the value of the post-test mean account is high categories. This means learning about writing skill by using language laboratory to the Elementary Education Program is getting improvement significantly and improve the student’ achievement. The student has high interest in writing using language laboratories

WORK STUDY TECHNIQUES EVALUATION AT BACK-END SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING

Abstract – With the ever increasing labor cost and high labor turnover, performing labor productivity study is imperative for the back-end semiconductor manufacturer to stay competitive. However, an effective technique to perform the work study on the operators is required before any productivity improvement initiatives can be performed. This paper discusses the various techniques being evaluated based on the preset criteria established by the company’s management. Results from the method evaluation will be used to determine the suitable work study technique to be used to perform labor productivity study