Nurmin Bolong

Multiple intersections traffic signal timing optimization with genetic algorithm

Traffic congestion in the urban area occurs more frequent than the past due to rapidly increasing on road vehicle usage rates. It could seriously hinder the development of urban area if a well management system has not being established. These scenarios necessitate the development of advance traffic management systems to increase the performance of signalized intersection. Traffic signal timing management (TSTM) system which comprise of genetic algorithm based optimization is proposed. Using a proper TSTM system, network traffic flow can be improved with considerably less cost than other infrastructural improvements. The proposed genetic algorithm based optimization approach allows signal timing parameters such as offset, cycle time, green split and phase sequence to be optimized with objective of minimum delay and better traffic fluency. The proposed GATSTM system has the ability to handle and manage the dynamic changes of the traffic networks condition by calibrating the system parameters accordingly.

Exploring Q-Learning Optimization in Traffic Signal Timing Plan Management

Traffic congestions often occur within the entire traffic network of the urban areas due to the increasing of traffic demands by the outnumbered vehicles on road. The problem may be solved by a good traffic signal timing plan, but unfortunately most of the timing plans available currently are not fully optimized based on the on spot traffic conditions. The incapability of the traffic intersections to learn from their past experiences has cost them the lack of ability to adapt into the dynamic changes of the traffic flow. The proposed Q-learning approach can manage the traffic signal timing plan more effectively via optimization of the traffic flows. Q-learning gains rewards from its past experiences including its future actions to learn from its experience and determine the best possible actions. The proposed learning algorithm shows a good valuable performance that able to improve the traffic signal timing plan for the dynamic traffic flows within a traffic network.

Performance Design and Simulation Analysis of Vertical Double Gate MOSFET (VDGM)

Design consideration of vertical MOSFET with double gate structure on each side of insulating pillar for nanodevice applications is presented. The body doping effect on vertical channel for channel length, Lg = 50nm and analyzing its effect towards such small devices was successfully performed. The analysis continued with the comparative investigation of device performance with conventional planar MOSFET as scaling Lg down to 50nm. The final part evaluates the innovative design of incorporating dielectric pocket (DP) on top of vertical MOSFET turret with comprehensive device performance analysis as compared to standard vertical MOSFET in nano scale realm. An optimized body doping for enhanced performance of vertical MOSFET was revealed. The vicinity of DP near the drain end is found to reduce the charge sharing effects between source and drain that gives better gate control of the depletion region for short channel effect (SCE) suppression in nanodevice structure.

Electromyogram (EMG) Signal Processing Analysis for Clinical Rehabilitation Application

Analysis of electromyogram (EMG) signal processing and its application to identify human muscle strength of rehabilitation purpose has been successfully carried out in this paper. Single channel EMG signal was obtained from human muscle using non-invasive electrodes and further process by signal acquisition circuit to get a suitable signal to be process. In the first part of signal acquisition, the amplification circuit for the small EMG signal has been design successfully. After amplification stage EMG signal was digitized through analogue and digital converter (ADC) then further process in microcontroller (ATmega328) for getting accurate EMG signal. Finally, the processed EMG signal was classified into 6 different levels in order to display the muscle strength level of the user. This EMG device can be used to help the weak person or an elderly to identity their strength level of muscle for clinical rehabilitation purpose.

Impact of strain and DP position on the performance of Vertical Strained-SiGe Impact Ionization MOSFET incorporating dielectric pocket (VESIMOS-DP)

The Vertical Strained Silicon Germanium (SiGe) Impact Ionization MOSFET with Dielectric Pocket (VESIMOS-DP) has been successfully developed and analyzed in this paper. The strain is induced in the structure by varying the mole fraction of Silicon Germanium layer as well as the channel thickness. Increase in mole fraction at the interface of channel region results in increase in strain in the channel. In order to maintain strain in the channel region, a relaxed Si1-xGex layer is required. S value for DP place at source side is higher (S=24.4 mV/decade) as compared at the drain side (S=18.9 mV/decade) intrinsic region. The impact ionization rate depends on the electric field at drain side intrinsic zone. The vicinity of DP near the drain region reduces charge sharing effects associated with the source and thus improves impact ionization rate. Due to the DP layer, improve stability of threshold voltage, VTH and subthreshold slope, S was found for VESIMOS-DP device of various size ranging from 20nm to 80nm which justified the vicinity of DP on improving the performance of the device.

Modeling the Rejection Performance of Hollow Fiber Nanofiltration Membranes Modified by Negatively Charged-Modifying Macromolecule

Hollow fiber membranes using Polyethersulfone (PES) were fabricated in-house using phase inversion technique by modification with synthesized charged-surface modifying macromolecules (cSMM). The cSMM comprise with end-group component of Hydroxybenzene sulfonate or Hydroxybenzene carboxylate. The electrical properties of the membranes were modeled by utilizing the combination of irreversible thermodynamic model, Steric-Hindrance Pore (SHP) model and Teorell-Meyer-Sievers (TMS) model. The negatively-charged of the modified hollow fiber membranes was calculated based on sodium chloride rejection performance. The analysis of the modeling results revealed that sulfonate induce negative 1.61 electrical properties compared to carboxylate that is negative 1.49 for the modified PES membranes.

Modification of polyethersulfone hollow fiber membranes by novel charged surface modifying macromolecule (cSMM) blends for water application

The analysis on modification of the polyethersulfone hollow fiber membranes by blending with Surface Modifying Macromolecules (SMMs) with end‐groups of Aromatic sulfonate or aromatic benzoate for introducing charges at membrane surface is presented. The charged SMMs (cSMM) was synthesized and blended into the dope solution of polyethersulfone (PES) membranes. The synthesized cSMM was dissolved into the dope solution which consists of PES using N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP) as solvent. The membranes are prepared by phase inversion technique with the dry‐wet hollow fiber spinning condition. The morphology of the fabricated membranes was observed from the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The FESEM observation did not show significant difference due to cSMM modification indicated the base polymer remained relatively unchanged. The miscibility and existence of cSMM in PES membrane was then confirmed via Fourier transform infra‐red (FTIR) scan. The increase of pure water permeation performance of the modified membranes than the unmodified membranes was also observed.The analysis on modification of the polyethersulfone hollow fiber membranes by blending with Surface Modifying Macromolecules (SMMs) with end‐groups of Aromatic sulfonate or aromatic benzoate for introducing charges at membrane surface is presented. The charged SMMs (cSMM) was synthesized and blended into the dope solution of polyethersulfone (PES) membranes. The synthesized cSMM was dissolved into the dope solution which consists of PES using N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP) as solvent. The membranes are prepared by phase inversion technique with the dry‐wet hollow fiber spinning condition. The morphology of the fabricated membranes was observed from the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The FESEM observation did not show significant difference due to cSMM modification indicated the base polymer remained relatively unchanged. The miscibility and existence of cSMM in PES membrane was then confirmed via Fourier transform infra‐red (FTIR) scan. The increase of pure water permeation performanc...

Effect of seaweed physical condition for biogas production in an anaerobic digester

The increasing demand for environmental protection and renewable energy has made bioenergy technologies such as anaerobic digestion substantially attractive. The main objective of this study is to determine the biogas yield from the raw seaweed Eucheuma cottonii and waste products using anaerobic digestion, operated under different physical conditions. Seaweeds comprise of a thallus (leaf like) and sometimes a stem and a foot (holdfast). Seaweed has the potential to be developed into the raw and waste material for biogas due to higher growth rates, greater production yields, and higher carbon fixation rates than land crops. Seaweed has 4–39% carbohydrate content and a high moisture content with low lignin compared to other terrestrial plants, thus it is simpler to be degraded. The integration of the findings may be the key to make seaweed waste product that is more efficient and affordable to serve as a sustainable and renewable energy source. The study used 1.5 L anaerobic digesters for fresh and 3-month-old Eucheuma sp. evaluated at different stages by monitoring the pH, chemical oxygen demand, and biogas production. The study found that within 18 days, the anaerobic digestion of E. cottonii seaweed yielded 0.4–1 ml biogas/g seaweed with up to 56% methane content.

COMPARISON OF GEV AND GUMBLE’S DISTRIBUTION FOR DEVELOPMENT OF INTENSITY DURATION FREQUENCY CURVE FOR FLOOD PRONE AREA IN SABAH

Rainfall data has a significant role in hydrological design which is, it’s produce the intensity duration frequency curve. IDF curve gives critical information that needed in the design of water management infrastructure, it gives information by showing the mathematical relation of rainfall intensity, recurrence interval of the storm and duration of storm. This paper aims to compares and develop IDF curve using two frequency distribution which is generalized extreme value distribution (GEV) and Gumbel distribution (EV1). Then, the best fit distribution for flood-prone area in Sabah will be choose and determined from the two-mentioned distribution. The goodness of fit test that used to determine the best distribution is chi-square test, it works by determining the differences between observe data value from Weibull formula and the estimated values from GEV and Gumbel’s distribution method. After that the chi-square value for GEV and Gumbel is compared to the critical value from chi-square table at significant level of 5%. From the Chi-square test, it is concluded that Gumbel’s (chi square value Tandek:0.47952, patiu:1.0531, babagon: 1.026931, Ulu Moyog:0.382415) shows a better fit distribution compared to GEV distribution (chi square value Tandek:59.7598, patiu:16.5746, babagon: 3.3555347, Ulu Moyog:22.1315)

The effect of calcium hydroxide, alkali dilution and calcium concentration in mitigating the alkali silica reaction using palm oil fuel ash

This study investigated the mechanism of how POFA mitigated the ASR expansion. Two types of POFA; the UPOFA and GPOFA with different fineness were used to replace the cement at 20% and 40% and their effects on the mortar bar expansion, calcium hydroxide, alkali dilution, and calcium concentration were investigated. The results showed that UPOFA has a significant ability to mitigate the ASR, even at a lower level of replacement (20%) compared to GPOFA. The mechanism of UPOFA in mitigating the ASR expansion was through a reduction in the calcium hydroxide content, which produced low calcium concentration within the mortar pore solution. Low pore solution alkalinity signified that UPOFA had good alkali dilution effect. Meanwhile, a higher dosage of GPOFA was required to mitigate the ASR expansion. An increase in the pore solution alkalinity of GPOFA mortar indicated higher penetration of alkalis from the NaOH solution, which reduced the alkali dilution effect. However, this was compensated by the increase in the cement dilution effect at higher GPOFA replacement, which controlled the mortar bar expansion below the ASTM limit.This study investigated the mechanism of how POFA mitigated the ASR expansion. Two types of POFA; the UPOFA and GPOFA with different fineness were used to replace the cement at 20% and 40% and their effects on the mortar bar expansion, calcium hydroxide, alkali dilution, and calcium concentration were investigated. The results showed that UPOFA has a significant ability to mitigate the ASR, even at a lower level of replacement (20%) compared to GPOFA. The mechanism of UPOFA in mitigating the ASR expansion was through a reduction in the calcium hydroxide content, which produced low calcium concentration within the mortar pore solution. Low pore solution alkalinity signified that UPOFA had good alkali dilution effect. Meanwhile, a higher dosage of GPOFA was required to mitigate the ASR expansion. An increase in the pore solution alkalinity of GPOFA mortar indicated higher penetration of alkalis from the NaOH solution, which reduced the alkali dilution effect. However, this was compensated by the increase in...