Abu Bakar Munir

Rotationally asymmetric optical concentrators for solar PV and BIPV systems

Building Integrated Concentrated Photovoltaic (BICPV) systems are one of the options to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels and minimise energy consumption in buildings. These systems not only contribute to the generation of electricity, but also to the reduction of energy consumption by allowing the passage of ambient light and by making use of the cogenerated heat for indoor heating and/or cooling. This paper presents a novel optical concentrator called Rotationally Asymmetric Dielectric Totally Internally Reflecting Concentrator (RADTIRC) for use in BICPV systems. The RADTIRC-PV structure is capable of providing a maximum power concentration of 4.2x. Key benefits of this technology include: reduction of cost of BICPV systems, flexibility of design, and higher electrical power outputs.

Soft loan for domestic installation of solar photovoltaic in Malaysia: Is it the best option?

Malaysia has passed the Renewable Energy Act in April 2011, in which the Feed-In Tariff (FiT) mechanism is introduced. The FiT gives much emphasis on the solar photovoltaic (PV). This paper presents, first, an overview of solar PV in Malaysia until the present time. Next, a general concept of the FIT Malaysia is explained and finally the loan financing option for solar PV is presented. It also analyses the impact of the proposed interest rate to household consumers in Malaysia, in terms of the total profit, the net present value and the internal rate of return. It is found that the FiT scheme could potentially help in increasing renewable energy penetration, particularly for solar PV. To provide upfront capital for domestic solar PV installation, the soft loan facility from banking institutions is a feasible source if the interest rate is 5% or less.

Nanotechnology in healthcare: are existing laws adequate?

Nanotechnology is viewed as the next big thing and nanomedicine is its hottest application. Nanomedicine offers promising possibilities of new diagnostic, treatment and preventive methods leading to a better and longer life. The risk, real or perceived, however, as for now, is uncertain. Nevertheless, there is a need to establish measures to verify the safety of the nanomedical products.

Nanotechnology: Regulatory Challenges to Occupational Safety and Health

Abstract Nanotechnology is one of the most rapidly growing industries in the world. It is estimated that, by 2015, the industry will employ 2 million workers worldwide. At present, an increasing number of workers are potentially being exposed to nanomaterials in research laboratories, start-up companies and production facilities, and wherever nanomaterials are processed, used, disposed off or recycled. Many researchers and students are also being exposed to nanomaterials in academic laboratories. While recognising the potential benefits that nanotechnology has to offer, the challenge is to determine whether engineered nanostructured materials and devices present new occupational safety and health risks and, if they do, to proactively minimise them. The bigger challenge is to assess whether existing occupational safety and health rules and regulations will be able to address the potential risks of nanotechnology.

Polymer nanocomposites and related legal issues: An overview

Manipulation of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) to develop different consumer and industrial products are the preferred choice in modern day industrial production due to their unprecedented, but diversified promises and prospects. The researchers claimed in 2006 that the NMs were in a stage where plastic was in the 1960s. This analogy was made to indicate the potential wide use of the NMs in consumer and industrial products. Burgeoning research has been carried out in almost every corner of the world to explore and exploit the prospects of ENMs. Application of nanoparticles (NPs) into polymer matrix materials have also been tested, and dramatic changes in the mechanical, thermal, electrical, and diffusion properties to the properties of the host polymers were observed. The polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) are undoubtedly very prospective and it can be anticipated that PNCs will widely be used in the automotive industry to replace the metal accessories and to reduce CO2 emissions. However, in order to do so, it is crucial that the manufacturers handle different socio-legal and regulatory issues around the ENMs and PNCs carefully. This record only contains an introduction to the chapter, the full chapter is available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-811033-1.00026-3

Effect of diffuse radiation on the performance of a rotationally asymmetrical optical concentrator

This paper evaluates the performance of a recently patented rotationally asymmetrical dielectric totally internally reflective concentrator (RADTIRC) under diffuse radiation. The RADTIRC has a geometrical concentration gain of 4.969 and two half acceptance angles of ± 30° and ± 40° along the x-axis and z-axis respectively. Simulation and experimental work have been carried out to determine the optical concentration gain under diffuse radiation. It was found that the RADTIRC has an optical concentration gain of 1.94 under diffuse irradiance. The experimental results for the single concentrator showed an optoelectronic gain of 2.13, giving a difference of 9.8% due to factors such as the presence of direct radiation during experiments, the increase in diffuse radiation due to the reflection from surrounded buildings as well as from the ground reflection.

CHAPTER 31:Nanotechnology and International Environmental Law: A Preliminary Assessment

Nanotechnology, the study of manipulating materials at the nanoscale, should no longer be treated or referred to as the ‘wonder of modern science’. This is because many of the predictions, based on laboratory findings, the researchers made and shared through scientific literature over the years are now being displayed on supermarket shelves. Nanotechnology and its applications promise limitless potential to solve many of the existing problems, including environmental problems relating to drinking water, energy, pest control and detection. It is not yet the right time to draw a conclusion as to the exact and precise behavior of the engineered nanomaterials in different media in the environment i.e. air, land and water. Nevertheless, based on some laboratory findings, the scientists and policy makers have forecast that a few popular engineered nanomaterials may have adverse effects on the environment, leading to environmental degradation. In the absence of any single comprehensive international instrument in this field, based on the cradle-to-grave life-cycle assessment of products developed using nanoscale technology, this chapter shares a glimpse of the relevant existing international environmental law provisions. Relevant environmental law provisions of some of the countries that have nano-districts will also be highlighted. Possible challenges faced by the national and international regulators in terms of implementation of these legal provisions will be examined. Drawing an analogy with that of other emerging issues like biotechnology regulation, this chapter will next address the recent movement of various international bodies and NGOs and assess their activities in this regard. It will further discuss how these actors can perform their role more effectively and can contribute to exploiting the maximum benefits of nanotechnology, leading to attaining safe, sustainable and responsible development, causing the least harm to the environment.

Electronic contracts, the Malaysian perspective

Malaysia has provided numerous laws years ago to support the ICT developments. However, the adequacy of these laws are challenged. For instance, e-commerce law of Malaysia has been enacted many years back through different statutes. This study examines the adequacy of the Electronic Commerce Act of Malaysia as a case study to find out whether the present laws are comprehensive enough to support the new technologies, legal and commercial demands. For this purpose, the principles governing the formation of e-contract are analyzed and compared with international instruments. The analytical approach through comparative legal study is selected for the research methodology. The results indicates that there are some silence features and lacuna under e-commerce Act of Malaysia. The study provides recommendations for future amendments of the Act with respect to time and place of receipt and dispatch of an electronic message.

Formation of e-Contracts Under Iranian Electronic Commerce Act

The time and place of formation of a contract comprise significant legal effects under the law of contracts. In case of electronic contracts, the determination of time and place of dispatch and receipt of an electronic message plays a significant role to determine the time and place of formation. The Electronic Commerce Act of Iran provides a number of provisions concerning the formation stage. The modification of the dispatch and receipt provisions has a significant impact to fulfill the present legal-commercial demands in line with new technologies. This paper aims to provide legal recommendations for amending the time and place of dispatch and receipt rules of an electronic message. We used the analytical-comparative method to the principles and legal effects of formation under the Iranian Electronic Commerce Act. The results conclude that the dispatch and receipt principles have some defects and silence features. Moreover, the related provisions are not adequate to address legal issues arising from new technologies like internet.

Access to communications data by public authorities

Abstract This article examines the difficulties that the British Government got into when it attempted to expand the rules governing access to Communications Data under recent legislation. It plots the debate and the ongoing attempt to balance the privacy interests of the individual with the development of smarter public services.