Noel Perera

A new effective viscosity model for nanofluids

Purpose At present, no unified model predicts the viscosity of nanofluids. This paper sets out a novel viscosity model designed to resolve this issue. Design/methodology/approach The model draw upon regression analysis of carefully selected several published papers covering experimental, numerical and theoretical findings to propose the effective viscosity model. Findings Unlike some other models, this one is reliable and has a good level of accuracy. This model has been assessed in a numerical investigation using a 3D horizontal pipe and presenting the results. Originality/value This is a new model for predicting the effective viscosity of nanofluids. The proposed model has been tested in 3D horizontal pipe, and the predicted results for viscosity and Nusselt number show good agreement with available data.

Oil Price shocks and theirs consequences on Sudan?s GDP growth and unemployment rates

Since the advent of oil production and export in late 1999, Sudan economy became more reliant on oil exports proceeds. This situation has exposed the economy to the negative effect of oil price fluctuations. In general, oil exporting countries exhibit positive impact on their economy to oil price increase, while oil importing economies suffer. Unlike developing economies, there is paucity of research in developing countries with regards to the relationship between macro-economy and oil price shocks. In this regard, Sudan has been neglected from serious studies related to oil price shocks. This research attempts to contribute towards filling this gap. In doing so, Vector Auto-Regression model is employed to investigate the impact of oil price shocks on the real GDP growth and unemployment rates over the period 2000 - 2014. The Granger causality test suggests that unemployment has statistically and significantly influenced real GDP growth. Results from the Impulse Response Functions and Forecast Error Variance Decomposition analysis suggest that decrease in oil price has a greater influence on GDP growth. Interestingly, oil price decrease has a significant positive impact on unemployment rate.

Engineering continuing professional development and mobility in the European green job market

Faced with the energy efficiency challenges, climate change and the competitiveness of the 21st century, the European Union is committed to mitigate its energy consumption by 20% by 2020 [1]. This in turn presents obstacles in the area of continuing professional development of practising engineers; especially when competing for green jobs on the European market. The advancement of globalisation has meant that even small and medium engineering enterprises are recruiting engineers on foreign markets. We will determine how the systems within the engineering regulatory bodies across Europe are aiming to facilitate mobility of professional engineers for sustainable jobs. While considering the assessment of professional competencies, we aim to achieve more transparency within a system of custom and practice but also promote lifelong learning and up-skilling performances in this area of research.