Emerging Advances in Integrated Technology
The Emerging Advances in Integrated Technology (EmAIT) journal is a peer-reviewed publication released twice annually—in June and December. It focuses on advancements in material science and technology, encompassing areas such as computational, digital, and management technologies. EmAIT encourages submissions that explore experimental research, modelling, simulation, and optimization within both the physical and theoretical domains of cutting-edge developments. Serving as a collaborative platform, the journal invites contributions from students, researchers, and industry professionals to share their findings at both local and international levels. Its goal is to foster innovation and facilitate the exchange of contemporary knowledge and skills that reflect the dynamic evolution of current technologies. More info
Biodegradable Container for Planting Purpose
Amid growing environmental concerns and the escalating plastic pollution crisis, the use of containers from fiber natural materials, which can decompose naturally over time, offer a promising solution to reduce the ecological impact due to plastic waste. The study aligns with the global commitment to create a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future. It holds critical importance in the context of environmental sustainability and the advancement of sustainable agricultural practices. This research study aimed to identify suitable fibers for the fabrication of biodegradable containers and explored various materials such as recycled paper, rice straw, corn husk, and coconut fiber, and analyzed their characteristics and properties once fabricated into containers. Several experiments were conducted to find out how different types of fiber containers influence the soil humidity pH of soil, soil salinity and ease the plant growth by providing nutrient. It was found that combination of rice straw and recycled paper container facilitated the most significant of plant growth while combination of coconut fiber and recycled paper container is the fastest in degradation. Overall comparison also shows that sample container mixed fiber able to give better results as compared to sample with recycled paper only. Thus, the new developments of biodegradable materials from agriculture waste not only able to reduce toxic waste from plastic and the abundant of agrowaste problem but also able to give benefit for the plant growth and agriculture yield production.
Copyright (c) 2026 Emerging Advances in Integrated Technology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Surface Roughness Investigation of Industrial Robot-Based Milling for UHMWPE: A Parametric Study
This study investigates the surface quality achievable in robotic milling of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) components using a KUKA KR120 R2700 six-axis industrial robot equipped with a high-speed spindle. While conventional CNC milling of UHMWPE has been extensively studied, the application of industrial robots for this biomedical thermoplastic remains underexplored despite offering superior flexibility and lower capital costs. A parametric investigation was conducted on spindle speed (6500, 12500, 18500 rpm) and feed rates (180, 900, 1620 mm/min) at three levels with a constant depth of cut (2 mm). The surface quality was assessed in terms of arithmetic average roughness (Ra), root mean square roughness (Rq), and maximum peak-to-valley height (Rz), retrieved and measured through contact profilometry, with three measurements for each condition. Findings indicate a range of surface roughness of Ra = 1.29-3.78 µm for the entire range of parameters, with 1.29 µm Ra roughness at 18500 rpm and 1620 mm/min. The two-way interaction effects showed that all main effects and their interaction were significant (p = 0.0102.) This indicates that for the required optimal range of surface finishes all factors must be selected in a synergistic manner. The predictive models showed good agreement with experimental results (R² = 0.8668), indicating satisfactory predictive capability. These findings suggest that robotic systems have the potential to be applied as a flexible alternative to CNC machining in suitable applications. Further investigation is required to evaluate tool wear, material removal rate, and dimensional accuracy for a comprehensive assessment of robotic milling performance.
Z-Scanning Analysis of Non-Linear Optical Properties of Biodiesel Prepared Via Transesterification Reaction
This paper explores the nonlinear optical properties (NLO) of biodiesel (BD) produced from waste cooking oil (WCO), a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional diesel fuel, using the Z-scan method. The study investigates the optical, chemical, and physical characteristics of BD derived from WCO through transesterification. Both the physical and chemical properties, as well as the NLO, were characterized. The physical and chemical properties and nonlinear optical properties were characterized. The density of BD is 0.85 gcm-3 and kinematic viscosity is 5.76 mm2s-1. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrum results show methyl ester is presented in BD converted from WCO. The experimental results, obtained using the Z-scan method, revealed that the nonlinear optical properties n2, β and χ3 are 1.76×10-14 cm2/W, 7.80×10-4 cm/W and 1.046×10-5, respectively. These findings suggest that BD exhibits potential applications in optical switching, laser technology, signal processing, optical limiting, and optoelectronic devices.
iConnect: A Web-Based Digital Platform for Integrated Management of Large-Scale Events
Efficient event management is essential for organizing academic and research exhibitions, ensuring smooth participation and communication. However, the traditional process often involves manual work and delays in communication. The iConnect Event Registration System is developed to provide an easy-to-use platform for students, lecturers and event organizers to register for events, receive real-time updates, and automatically generate participation certificates. This project follows a prototyping methodology with phases including planning, analysis, design, and implementation after prototype validation. The method were chosen due to the approach where a simplified, functional version of a system is built, tested, and refined based on user feedback and widely used in both specialized engineering projects and general software development. Key features of the system include simple and fast registration processes, automatic generation of certificates upon event completion, and instant notifications to keep participants informed of event updates and statuses. The system benefits students and event organizers by reducing manual work, improving communication, and enhancing user experience throughout the event cycle, the success of the project will be evaluated based on user satisfaction, reliability of certificate generation, and effectiveness of notification delivery. In conclusion, the iConnect system aims to offer a practical and scalable solution to support academic event management.
Mini Review of RF Magnetron Sputtering for Aluminum Nitride Thin Film Deposition: Scale-Up Challenges and Perspectives
Radio Frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering is a pivotal technique in thin-film deposition, renowned for its versatility and precision in producing high-quality crystalline films. This method excels in delivering uniform film deposition, high reproducibility, and adaptability for both insulating and conductive materials. Among the materials deposited using RF magnetron sputtering, Aluminum Nitride (AlN) has gained attention due to its wide bandgap, high thermal conductivity, and excellent breakdown voltage. Over the years, researchers have successfully deposited c-axis-oriented AlN films with thicknesses ranging from 8 nm to 2.75 µm, typically on small wafers (2–4 inches) at temperatures up to 900 °C. This mini-review explores the fundamentals, working principles, and application of RF magnetron sputtering for AlN thin film deposition. The novelty lies in synthesizing existing literature on RF magnetron sputtering for AlN deposition and systematically linking key sputtering parameters (RF power, working pressure, gas flow ratio, substrate temperature, target-to-substrate distance, and post-annealing) to film properties, while highlighting the challenges of scaling up to larger wafers. These insights offer a practical reference for optimizing AlN deposition at larger scales.
Copyright (c) 2025 Emerging Advances in Integrated Technology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Development of a Smart Cooling and Fertigation System for Strawberry Cultivation in Tropical Lowland Greenhouses
Strawberry cultivation in tropical lowland regions faces major challenges due to excessive heat, high humidity, and poor root zone temperature regulation, often leading to low fruit quality and inconsistent yields. This project aims to address these limitations by integrating environmental optimization with smart agricultural technology tailored for tropical greenhouse applications. The main objective is to develop a sustainable, IoT-enabled fertigation and microclimate control system for strawberry cultivation in lowland Malaysia, focusing on improving yield, fruit sweetness, and plant resilience. A comprehensive review was conducted on critical environmental parameters like temperature, humidity, light intensity, CO₂ levels, and electrical conductivity combined with a study of recent innovations in precision agriculture. Based on this review, a prototype system is proposed featuring solar-powered chillers, automated misting, root zone cooling, and fertigation component controlled by ESP32 microcontrollers. The system includes real-time sensor feedback and wireless control to maintain optimal growing conditions. The proposed system will be developed at Politeknik Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah (POLISAS) and will be tested in a real-world setting at FELDA Bukit Sagu 2, a rural farming community in Kuantan. Preliminary simulations from review suggest a greenhouse temperature reduction of 4°C–6°C and improved root zone stability, aligning with recommended growth thresholds. These improvements are expected to enhance strawberry size, sweetness (Brix value), and shelf life. The novelty of this project lies in its context-specific combination of smart cooling and fertigation technologies in a modular, scalable design suitable for low-resource farming environments. It bridges academic innovation and practical agriculture, supported by sustainable energy integration and data-driven control. The project idea has gained early recognition in institutional R&D and is positioned for further collaboration with agricultural research bodies (e.g., MARDI), smart farming startups, and rural development agencies. With continued development, the system offers potential as a replicable model for tropical horticulture, supporting Malaysia’s goals for agrotechnology innovation and food security.
Tropical greenhouse, Smart agriculture, IoT-based cooling, Strawberry cultivation, Sustainable farming
Integrated Braking Safety System Development for Electric Formula Vehicle in NxGV Challenge 2025
This research presents the design and development of an advanced braking system for a high-performance electric formula vehicle engineered for the Next Generation Vehicle (NxGV) Challenge 2025. With the increasing integration of electric powertrains in motorsport applications, the demand for braking systems that ensure operational safety, energy efficiency, and optimal dynamic performance has become critically important. A prominent safety concern in fully electric vehicles is the potential for unintended acceleration caused by concurrent brake and throttle inputs. To address this issue, a Brake System Plausibility Device (BSPD) was developed to continuously monitor and evaluate input consistency. The proposed system incorporates a brake pressure sensor and a power battery sensor to monitor both input parameters. When the battery power exceeds 5 kW and the brake pressure surpasses 30 bar, the BSPD triggers an immediate disconnection of motor power to mitigate potentially hazardous conditions. An automated re-evaluation is conducted after a 10-second delay, allowing motor power to be safely restored if normal input conditions are detected. The system was prototyped on a breadboard and subjected to functional testing, confirming its responsiveness and reliability in managing safety-critical scenarios. The findings demonstrate the BSPD’s effectiveness in fulfilling both performance and safety requirements for competitive electric vehicles. This work contributes to the advancement of intelligent, sensor-integrated braking solutions for next-generation electric and autonomous vehicle platforms.
The Effect of Kefir Incorporation on the Physicochemical and Sensory Properties of Bread
Kefir, a fermented milk beverage from the Caucasus region, is rich in probiotic microorganisms and bioactive compounds. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of kefir incorporation on sensory properties, physicochemical and microbiological bread. Commercial bread is often produced using synthetic additives such as enzymes, preservatives and chemical leavening agents to improve texture, shelf life and volume. There is growing consumer demand for more natural and functional food products. Kefir, a fermented milk beverage rich in probiotics as a natural alternative that may enhance bread quality without the need for synthetic additives. Its application in bread production is still limited and not widely explored. This study focuses on evaluating the suitability of kefir in bread formulations and its effects on the physical, chemical, microbiological, and sensory qualities of bread. This study used three bread formulations, formulation 1 (2.8% yeast and no kefir), formulation 2 (34% kefir and 1.2% yeast) and formulation 3 (48.5% kefir with no yeast). The sensory evaluation using hedonics and scoring indicated that Formulation 2 received the highest scores for aroma, taste, texture and overall acceptability. Physicochemical analysis revealed that this formulation produced bread with desirable textural attributes, including a mean hardness of 5.91 N and elasticity of 5.39 mm. Additionally, it exhibited the highest bread volume (1690 cm³) and specific volume (3.7 cm³/g), indicating enhanced leavening and crumb structure. The pH value of pH 4, attributed to kefir’s natural acidity, contributed to improved microbial stability, with microbial counts as low as Log 2.74 CFU/mL on day 7 of storage suggesting an extended shelf life. In conclusion, the incorporation of kefir at 34% in bread formulation significantly enhances textural quality, microbial safety and sensory acceptance. Kefir presents a viable alternative to conventional fermentation agents in breadmaking. This study was awarded a Gold Medal at the Research; Innovation & Product Launching held in Politeknik Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Kuantan in 2023. This recognition highlights the innovative potential of kefir-based bread as a functional food product with high quality and commercial viability.
Biomedical, Health, Pharmaceutical and Food Technology
Digital Transformation in Construction Management: A Conceptual Paper
This conceptual review examines the role of digital transformation in reshaping construction management practices. It aims to assess the impact of digital tools such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and the Internet of Things (IoT), explore leadership and governance influences, and identify barriers and facilitators within the sector. Utilizing a multidisciplinary literature search across databases including IEEE Xplore and Scopus, combined with rigorous screening and quality assessment aligned with PRISMA guidelines, the review synthesizes both qualitative and quantitative findings. The analysis highlights key themes including enhanced project efficiency, sustainability outcomes, and challenges related to technology adoption and governance. The findings emphasize the critical role of integrated digital strategies and leadership in successfully driving digital transformation. This review offers foundational insights for practitioners and researchers seeking to innovate construction management processes and recommends avenues for further empirical research to deepen understanding and implementation effectiveness.
The automatic chicken coop cleaner is designed to sustain hygiene for small scale poultry breeders. This system is developed using an ESP8266 NodeMCU V3 microcontroller which features both scheduled and trigger remote cleaning via Blynk application supported when needed. Manual cleaning is time-consuming, inconsistent, and frequently neglected, particularly among breeders who balance poultry keeping with full-time employment or other responsibilities. Accumulated waste leads to increased moisture, ammonia buildup, and pathogen growth. Poor hygiene contributes to respiratory infections, reduced growth performance, and increased mortality. The cleaning mechanism is driven by a linear actuator and a scraper blade, programmed to operate on a fixed schedule twice daily. The prototype with dimensions of 2feet by 2feet is optimized for 5 to 10 chicks aged 1 to 4 weeks which crucial period for immune system development. The complete cleaning process involves scraper movement forward and backward and took approximately 160seconds. Execution results demonstrate reliable cleaning performance according to the fixed schedule and consistent remote responsiveness via the Blynk application and notification will be sent. Obstructions able to be detected by the system and failure notifications are sent through both the smartphone and email to facilitate timely intervention. The overall system provides a low cost, energy efficient and smart solution that improves flocks’ health, supports operational efficiency and promotes sustainable management.
The Validity and Reliability of the PLC Module in PLC Programming and Applications Topics
The advancement of technical and vocational education requires the integration of effective teaching aids that support both theoretical understanding and practical skills. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the validity and reliability of the PLC Module in PLC programming and applications topics. A total of seven experts in Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) from various institutions and industry reviewed the module's content validity. A pilot study was conducted with 30 polytechnic students who engaged in all activities outlined in the PLC Module to evaluate its reliability. This phase was followed by an assessment of the students' feedback using a module reliability questionnaire. The findings show that the developed module has high validity with a content validity coefficient of 0.92 and excellent reliability with a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.98. These results indicate that the PLC Module PLC programming and application topics are suitable for use. Additionally, feedback from both experts and students will be used to further refine the content, ensuring the developed module can meet the objectives and can be implemented. Furthermore, these findings have significant implications for the teaching and learning of PLC, specifically PLC programming and applications topics, whereas the PLC Module can serve as a valuable resource for educators and students in this field.
A Mini Review on Edge Computing Devices for IoT Systems
Edge computing is a transformational distributed computing paradigm that brings computers and data storage closer to IoT data sources, overcoming critical limitations of cloud-centric approaches such as excessive latency, bandwidth constraints, privacy concerns, and energy inefficiency. This review examines the fundamental requirements of edge computing devices for IoT, exploring essential characteristics including processing capabilities (through microcontrollers, microprocessors, and AI accelerators like GPUs, TPUs, and VPUs), energy efficiency mechanisms, ultra-low latency solutions, connectivity options (LoRa, Wi-Fi, BLE, 5G), and robust security frameworks. Current challenges in designing edge computing for IoT applications include benchmarking difficulties due to a lack of standardized metrics, severe resource constraints, security vulnerabilities in distributed networks, scalability issues in dynamic environments, and limited real-time adaptability with pre-trained models. Emerging technologies such as federated learning, 6G connectivity, TinyML innovations, and sustainable design approaches show significant promise for improving edge computing efficiency. The findings reveal that edge computing has profoundly impacted IoT development by enabling real-time processing and decision-making across industries, enhancing data privacy, improving energy efficiency, and facilitating AI integration into resource-constrained environments, while continuing research focuses on addressing persistent challenges in scalability, security, standardization, and sustainable deployment.
Polymer Mixed Matrix Membrane with Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide/Silver Oxide Additive for Antibacterial Performance
Membrane technology has emerged as one of the most effective approaches for water purification, utilizing pore separation to achieve filtration without the complexities and high energy consumption associated with the traditional methods. Recent advancements have focused on modifying polymeric membranes, particularly polysulfone (PSf), by incorporating inorganic additives such as zinc oxide (ZnO) and silver oxide (AgO) nanoparticles. Thus, in this study, polymer MMMs were fabricated by incorporating biosynthesized ZnO/AgO synthesized from tea leaf extract as a reducing agent with the aim of enhancing membrane characteristics and antibacterial properties. The results showed that the antibacterial properties were enhanced by the addition of additives, particularly at higher concentrations of ZnO along with the presence of AgO. Other characteristics such as morphology, surface roughness, porosity, and hydrophilicity also produced the same increasing trend. These results proved that the addition of additives was able to enhance MMMs capabilities especially in terms of antibacterial properties.
Heat Transfer Enhancement in Single Heat Exchanger 2D Pipe Using Rod with Different Angles Based on Computational Fluid Dynamics Study
The current numerical study focuses on the statistical investigation of the airflow and the improvement of the heat transfer rate by forced convection of a single pipe in a heat exchanger by the inclusion of a rod. Using the finite volume method by numerical simulation the flow characteristics of the working fluid with enhanced heat transfer are numerically studied. Homogeneous heat flux is applied to the upper and lower walls of the pipe. More for the Reynolds number range (9000-18000) the effect of inserting a rod inside the tube at different oblique angles (40°,50°, and 60°) was examined. Numerical results revealed that the transfer coefficient rate (Nusselt number) increase in the tube inserted into the rod is higher compared to the normal pipe. In addition, the results also showed that when the angle of inclination of the rod in the single-pipe heat exchanger is gradually increased the Nusselt number increases. The Nusselt number maximum value was shown at the 60° angle of the rod insert. Because of the resistance of a bigger flow, the friction factor was found by using the rod inserts at (60°) and pitch distance (0.04 m). For a minimum slant angle of (40°) and a pitch distance of (0.04 m), the maximum value of the performance evaluation criteria (PEC) was stated. In comparison to the smooth tube, the percentage of fluid velocity distribution rises by (50,57, and 63%) at the angle of inclination of the rod (40°, 50°, and 60°), respectively
Simulation Study of n-type Double-Gate Nano-MOSFET with Arbitrary Wafer Orientations and Any Channel Materials
In this paper, the technique for quantum mechanically simulating a double-gate (DG) nano-MOSFET with arbitrarily oriented wafer directions and various channel materials is presented. The problem with arbitrarily oriented wafer directions and any channel materials is that the misalignment of principal axes of conduction bands ellipsoids and devices axes causes the matrix and so effective mass equation (EME) become cumbersome to solve. This drawback is overcome by transforming the main axes of the conduction band ellipsoids of the nano-MOSFET to align properly with the device axes, that are transport, confinement and width directions. This transformation technique is discussed theoretically, generally and then simulated specifically for a 10 nm n-type DG nano-MOSFET designed using Silicon (Si) wafer orientation of (100) direction. Two current-voltage (I-V) equations are derived and the calculated on-state current value, are compared with theoretically simulated data 2.500x103 µA/µm. The first and second current model produce of 2.182x103 µA/µm and 2.548x103 µA/µm, respectively. The second model is more accurate since it treats the electron flow as ballistic. This transformation technique enables device engineers to use any device simulator with EME model to study the carriers transport properties of MOSFET with any channel materials (Si, Ge and GaAs) and arbitrary wafer orientations ((100), (110) and (111)). This paper focuses specifically on Si with (100) wafer.
Semiconductor Devices Modelling and Simulation
A Comprehensive Review of Network and Communication in IoT Systems
The Internet of Things (IoT) represents a transformative domain in technology, integrating devices equipped with sensors, software, and connectivity to enable data exchange and automation. This paper discusses IoT networks and their communication protocols, highlighting applications across smart homes, industrial settings, and agriculture. It explores core technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Cellular (4G/5G), and LoRa, emphasizing their advantages and limitations. The layered IoT architecture, from perception to application, is reviewed, detailing its impact on system performance. Challenges related to energy consumption, security, and scalability are also addressed. Key findings underscore the importance of tailored communication solutions and integrated protocols for optimized IoT performance.
IoT network and communication, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 5G, LoRa.
Gait Analysis for Walking on Flat Footwear and High Heels
Gait analysis has transformed traditional methods of studying human locomotion by enabling precise monitoring and real-time analysis of critical biomechanical parameters. The purpose of this project is to design a portable gait analysis system as a prototype to evaluate the effects of different footwear on walking dynamics. The acceleration sensor was implemented into a wearable device to collect data and analyze gait variations between walking in flat footwear and high heels. The system monitors angular velocity, acceleration, and an-gles across three axes (x, y, and z). Key features of this system in-clude its ability to record motion data in real time using the WitMotion mobile application. The application visualizes gait parameters, enabling users to identify and understand how different footwear impacts balance, posture, and muscle activation. This portable and user-friendly device offers an accessible alternative to traditional gait analysis tools, making it suitable for individuals, clinicians, and researchers. The resulting system is a practical solution and a cost-effective innovation that bridges the gap between advanced gait analysis and real-world applications.
Performance Comparison of Machine Learning Models for Phishing Website Detection based on Multilayer Perceptron
Phishing is a common cybercriminal activity in which attackers lure people into providing data by posing as genuine websites. Currently, alerts and blacklists are well-used methods of detection though they have been proven less effective in the evolving types of phishing. This paper focuses on the impact of a Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) in minimizing the deficiencies of conventional techniques as a tool of identifying phishing websites. The goal is to improve the identification of new and initially unseen phishing sites by building upon MLP capability to resolve multiple relationships between webpage characteristics including URL, HTML, and HTTP properties. The given experiment is conducted on a total 500 phishing and 500 legitimate websites through different machine learning classifiers such as SVM, k-NN, Decision Trees, Naïve Bayes, and MLP using both 5 and 10-fold cross-validation. The performance of the models is measured using commonly used measures these include accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score with the MLP having the best performance with 98.1% accuracy. This analysis shows that MLP is the best in improving the detection of phishing threats with the best scalability and adaptability in fighting phishing attacks. Hence, this paper reveals that MLP has a great capacity to enhance real-time phishing detection and minimize false alarm rates to afford a reliable defense against one of the constantly evolving cyber threats.
Forecasting Malaysian Tourist Arrivals in Thailand from 2024 to 2027 using the Holt-Winters Method
This study employs the Holt-Winters method to forecast Malaysian tourist arrivals in Thailand from 2024 to 2027. Two approaches were compared: one utilizing monthly tourist data from 2013 to 2023 and the other excluding figures from 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on tourist numbers. Evaluation metrics include Mean Absolute Scaled Error (MASE) and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). The findings reveal that the second approach, accounting for the pandemic's effects, yields superior forecasting accuracy compared to the first. By excluding these abnormal years, the forecasting model can offer more accurate estimates by reducing the impact of temporary disturbances caused by the pandemic. This strategy improves the model's capacity to forecast future tourist arrivals with increased accuracy and certainty, aiding in strategic decision-making and resource allocation within the tourism sector.
Holt-Winters, Mean Absolute Scaled Error, Mean Absolute Percentage Error, COVID-19
Navigating Digital Transformation in Rural Banks: A Study of Critical Success Factors in Indonesia
Digital transformation (DT) has become imperative for rural banks in Indonesia to enhance efficiency and customer service in response to evolving market demands and technological advancements. This study investigates the factors that influence successful DT implementation in rural banks, focusing on three banks in Indonesia. Through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis, leadership emerged as a critical factor significantly impacting DT implementation, emphasizing the need for digital-oriented leadership to drive digital initiatives effectively. Additionally, resource allocation and technology adoption were identified as the key drivers of successful DT implementation. These findings underscore the importance of fostering digitally oriented leadership, enhancing employee skills, and reallocating resources effectively to support DT initiatives in rural banks. Moreover, adapting organizational structures and processes to align with digital transformation goals is crucial for rural banks to thrive in an increasingly digital landscape, ultimately enabling them to enhance competitiveness, improve customer service, and achieve sustainable growth.
Digital transformation, Structural Equation Modeling, Rural banks
An Analysis of Logistic Cost Structure in Corn Commodity Supply Chain (Zea Mays L) in East Java Using Activity Based Costing (ABC) Method
East Java is Indonesia's biggest corn producer in 2022, with a percentage of 26,24. The El Niño phenomenon of 2023 caused a decrease in corn production in Indonesia. El Nino phenomenon in non-farming land can add logistic costs, especially in procurement. The goal of the logistic cost structure analysis is to determine the proportion of logistic costs. This research was conducted in three regencies in East Java, a representative of the corn producer centre. A total of 98 respondents were included in the study. The research sample was selected based on convenience sampling and snowball sampling. The Activity Based Costing (ABC) method calculates the logistic-cost structure. The structural analysis of logistic costs used descriptive statistics. The analysis of the logistic cost structure showed that the most significant proportion of logistic cost was procurement activity, with a percentage of 63,09%. The activity at the farmers' tier with the most significant cost proportion was procurement activity, with a percentage of 69,73%. Transportation was the activity with the most considerable logistic cost proportion in the collector trader and large trader tiers, with proportions amounting to 52,31% and 83,01%. The right supply chain strategy for corn commodities in East Java was push-based.
Activity Based Costing, Corn, Logistic Cost, Supply chain
Formulation of B2B Strategies for Steel Structure Product at a Construction Company in Domestic Market
The company that will be discussed is one of those engaged in Indonesia’s construction industry. Because demand in foreign markets has decreased, this construction company is currently moving its target market to the domestic market with its main product in the form of steel structures. Based on sales data, the profit margin tends to be very small when compared to the increase in sales volume. The purpose of this study is to identify the main causes of the low annual profit of steel structure products in the domestic market and to formulate appropriate alternative strategies based on the company’s condition. The methods used in this study were Porter’s five forces, paired comparison, IFE, EFE, IE, SWOT, and QSPM. The results of the analysis show that the cause of the low annual profit of steel structure products is intense competition in the industry and the strong bargaining power of buyers. The SWOT matrix produces five alternative strategies, which are synthesized into three strategies, and in order of priority based on the QSPM matrix, the price adjustment strategy, the expanding market share strategy, and lastly, the maintaining loyalty strategy.
Steel, Porter’s five forces, construction
Comparative Evaluation of Diabetic Retinopathy Detection Using VGG-16 and ResNet-50 Models: Insights from Matthew’s Correlation Coefficient and Cohen’s Kappa Metrics
The diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy utilizing artificial intelligence is a subject of debate, particularly involvement of convolutional neural networks (CNN). This article employs VGG-16 and ResNet-50 models for the diagnosis of degrees of diabetic retinopathy by analyzing the common retinal features of diabetic retinopathy, which are microaneurysms, hemorrhages, macula oedema, and exudates. The datasets from the APTOS 2019 Blindness Detection fundus images, which were resized to 224×224 pixels, are used for model training to prevent overfitting and processed via yCbCr color filter to emphasis on the image brightness for ease of diagnosis and evaluation. The evaluation results were determined by the metrics of Matthew’s Correlation Coefficient (MCC) and Cohen’s Kappa, both capable of handling imbalanced data, ensure reliable agreement with true labels, and provide balanced insights into the model’s predictive accuracy. The findings revealed that the VGG-16 performed better than ResNet-50 via measurement of Matthew’s Correlation Coefficient in classifying images in a balanced manner, while ResNet-50 performs better than VGG-16 according to values of Cohen’s Kappa thanks to the deep layers of the model.
Vending Machine for Enhancing Healthcare Access
This project addresses challenges in pharmacy access and feedback mechanisms for vending machine utilization by developing an advanced healthcare vending system. The system integrates RFID technology and an Arduino Mega microcontroller to enable secure dispensing and a conceptual RFID-based payment system. Additionally, an MIT App was developed to provide customer assistance. The methodology involved designing and assembling the vending machine's mechanical and electrical components, programming the Arduino Mega, and testing the system. Results demonstrated robust RFID tag detection at 100% within 1.0 cm, declining accuracy at greater distances, and product vending accuracy ranging from 70% to 90% across slots. These findings highlight the potential of the system to enhance healthcare accessibility through reliable dispensing technology. Future improvements include IoT-based real-time inventory tracking for stock and expiration monitoring and implementing a Telegram bot for intelligent inventory management.
Wind Energy Control Technologies for Power Quality Improvement on a Microgrid-A Review
This paper focuses on the development of wind energy control technologies in hybrid energy systems, highlighting their crucial role in integrating renewable energy sources on a microgrid. It examines the wind turbine curve, a fundamental framework for wind turbine operation, and the challenges and possibilities of integrating wind power into renewable energy systems, various methods to improve the efficiency and stability of wind turbines, with wind turbine control methods as the cornerstone. The study also examines the qualities of advanced wind turbine controllers, highlighting their efficiency in using wind energy resources and investigates wind energy conversion systems (WECSs) electrical generators, highlighting current developments that promise increased energy production and system dependability. The aim is to contribute to the ongoing discussion on wind energy control technologies by utilizing various cutting-edge studies. The study aims to provide valuable insights and views that can guide the energy industry toward a sustainable and environmentally friendly future through a comprehensive assessment of these crucial components.
Wind energy control, Hybrid energy system, Wind turbine controllers, Efficiency, Energy industries
Comparative Study Infused Mechanism Among Absorbance Materials to Improve Plant Growth
Agriculture is the practice of cultivating land, growing crops, and raising livestock for human consumption. The purpose of this experiment is to assess how successful zeolite, charcoal, and kaolin are as slow-release fertilizers by investigating the adsorption performance of zeolite as a nutrient-uptake agent using various samples. This paper discussed the three absorbents when infused with the fertilizer towards plant growth potentially for soil quality, conservation of water, and nutrient consumption. Since the infused absorbent shows the best quality in the retention of water and nutrients, it enables it to collect hazardous substances quickly and efficiently from environmental pollution. The mixture of the sample contains 80 grams of soil and 5 grams of infused zeolite, charcoal, and kaolin for planting green beans. Absorption and fertilizer testing were performed to see the physical properties of infused absorbent samples. In conclusion, the ability of zeolite and kaolin to retain nutrients was performed the best while charcoal slightly displayed growth of the plants as shown by the result of the height, length of leaf, pH level, and humidity of the soil.
Zeolite, Charcoal, Kaolin, Absorbent, Infused, Absorption, Hydrochloric Acid (HCL), (NaOH) Sodium Hydroxide
Zeolite Synthesis from Natural Kaolin: The Effect of Metakaolin Heating and Transformation
In this study, the effect of kaolin heating and metakaolin transformation on zeolite synthesis was investigated. Two different metakaolin temperatures at the early stage of transformation were chosen in determining the lowest temperature that was capable of synthesizing the zeolite structure from natural kaolin. The synthesis of zeolite materials from the transformation of natural kaolin to metakoalin was conducted through the hydrothermal method. Natural kaolin obtained from Ipoh, Perak, was calcined at two different calcination temperatures of 600°C and 650°C. Metakaolin was obtained after 2 hours of exposure at 600°C and 650°C, respectively, with slightly different FTIR peaks of quartz at both temperatures. The incomplete metakaolin formation at a slightly lower temperature revealed the unsuccessful zeolite formation. At slightly higher calcination temperatures, the metakoalin peak obviously existed and led to the formation of the complete zeolite phase. This experiment also proved the importance of accurate calcination temperature in converting to zeolite synthesis. Furthermore, this current work also revealed that the complete transformation of metakoalin that can be conducted slightly lower temperature as compared to the common metakoalin phase will minimize energy consumption during the zeolite synthesis as well as the metakoalin transformation.
Zeolite, Synthesis, Acidic plant extract, Hydrothermal method
Copyright (c) 2024 Emerging Advances in Integrated Technology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
The Extraction of Organic Silica from Agricultural Waste: A Mini Review
Inorganic silica precursors, also known as alkoxysilanes, have been used commercially in many applications and synthetizations. However, it has been reported that these inorganic silicas can harm human health, causing stomach, bladder, and kidney failure, as well as death in the case of an acute inhalation. Due to this reason, organic silica from agricultural waste such as coconut husks, corncobs, sugarcane bagasse, rice husks, and bamboo leaves is being reviewed as an alternative source to replace the risky inorganic silica. This work discussed the extraction method, silica percentage obtained, and applications involving the use of organic silica, demonstrating that green waste can replace inorganic silica and provide good value to society. Inorganic silica precursors, also known as alkoxysilanes, have been used commercially in many applications and synthetizations. However, it has been reported that these inorganic silicas can harm human health, causing stomach, bladder, and kidney failure, as well as death in the case of an acute inhalation. Due to this reason, organic silica from agricultural waste such as coconut husks, corncobs, sugarcane bagasse, rice husks, and bamboo leaves is being reviewed as an alternative source to replace the risky inorganic silica. This work discussed the extraction method, silica percentage obtained, and applications involving the use of organic silica, demonstrating that green waste can replace inorganic silica and provide good value to society.
Agricultural waste, Organic silica, Extraction, Thermal treatment, Chemical Treatment, Sol-gel
The Smart Aquaponic System Integrated with Internet of Things Technology
Aquaponics is a sustainable plant method that combines aquaculture (fish life) and hydroponics (soilless plants) in a closed cycle. To achieve optimal results, aquaponics requires a robust water cycle and meticulous maintenance, including monitoring temperature, environmental air humidity, and plant media humidity, among other factors. The current aquaponics system still relies on manual methods for monitoring, lacking an integrated system to handle this care function. Therefore, we developed this product to address these issues by concentrating on creating intelligent aquaponic systems that integrate the Internet of Things, enabling users to track necessary parameters. Additionally, the system automates tasks like irrigation and fish feeding schedules. In this development, the researcher employed the 7-phase Engineering Design Process (EDP) model, which includes the following stages: (1) defining the problem, (2) conducting research, (3) developing a solution concept, (4) constructing a prototype, (5) constructing a product, (6) conducting a product analysis, and (7) improving the product. he BBC micro:bit microcontroller as the main controller and the ESP01s WiFi module as the component that allows interaction with ThingSpeak. Next, the researcher used several types of sensors, such as DHT11, HC-SR04, capacitive soil moisture sensor v1.2, DS18B20, and actuators such as a DC water pump motor and a FS90 180-degree servo motor. As a result, the researcher successfully met the set objectives, including the design, development, and testing of the product's functionality, and the product performed as expected. Finally, according to experts, this product's weakness is that it requires the addition of a humidity sensor installed on each plant pot, which is recommended for further study due to limitations on the microcontroller's I/O pins.
Revolutionizing Infrastructure: A Review of Self-Healing Concrete for Longevity and Resilience
A number of characteristics of autogenous and autonomous healing concrete are examined in this review, including their characterization, processes, and performances. It has been discovered that mineral admixtures, fibers, and self-contained methods including shape memory alloys, capsules, and microbial technologies are effective at repairing fractures. This review posits that autonomous procedures exhibit superior efficacy in fracture repair compared to autogenous methods. Furthermore, the selection of self-healing methodologies and agents is significantly influenced by crack geometry and size. Also under investigation are the effectiveness of biomimetic materials, including capsules, shape memory alloys, and self-healing concrete derived from microorganisms. Finally, current research gaps and the scope of prospective research are identified and discussed.