Scientific Research Journal

Preserving Freshness: Alternative Collection Bags for Extended Leaf Longevity in Solanaceae Explants for In-Vitro Culture

nursuria md setamam — 2025-01-09

This study aims to determine the most effective sampling bag method to enhance sustainability by reducing contamination while preventing necrosis emergence faster during Solanaceae leaf samples (Capsicum frutescens and Solanum lycopersicum) long-distance collection for in vitro culture (IVC). By incorporating a 15% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as the initial pre-sterilization step, two types of sample bags, normal seal (NS) bags, and vacuum seal bags were evaluated based on their impact on sample viability and contamination control. The findings reveal that vacuum-sealed bags, especially those with low vacuum action (VSL), significantly extend the days of contamination and necrosis emergence during explant storage compared to NS bags and significantly prolonged the day for contamination, disregarding sample age during the IVC stage. Statistical analyses also confirm significant differences in contamination rates, necrosis, and leaf longevity between bag types and the presence of pre-sterilization methods for better outcomes. These results highlight the importance of revolutionary changes in how the IVC sample should be conducted when sampling to improve IVC success and give it better chances in future IVC and agricultural research.

Yield Prediction of Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Nigella Sativa using Neutral Networks

Sitinoor Adeib Idris — 2025-01-09

A feed-forward multi-layer neural network with Levenberg-Marquardt training algorithm was developed to predict yield for supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extraction of Nigella sativa essential oil. Yield of extraction depends on these variables: pressure, temperature, and extraction time hence were chosen as the input to the network. Different number of neurons in hidden layer were trained and tested using training and testing data sets. The validating data set was used to determine the network that having lowest mean-squared error (MSE) value and highest regression coefficient. The optimal ANN model, featuring four neurons in hidden layer, demonstrated high predictive accuracy with the lowest MSE of 0.42 ,1.43 and 1.25 for training, validation and test model, respectively. The regression plots indicated high R-values of 0.99641, 0.99513, and 0.98874 for the training, validation, and testing sets, respectively, confirming the model's robustness in predicting experimental data. A very good fitting between the predicted data and experimental data was observed with R2 of 0.9891 indicates ANN shows good accuracy in predicting yield of Nigella sativa.

An Optimum Combination of Filament Material and Slicing Software in Improving the Manufacturing Performance of 3D-printed Parts

Normariah Che Maiden — 2025-01-09

Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, creating a layer of material to produce three-dimensional objects from computer models. Specifically for Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) that uses filament material, different filament material varies in strength, flexibility, temperature resistance, etc. These factors impact 3D-printed part performance. Apart from filament material, various slicing software that available in the market also influence the manufacturing performance of 3D print parts. Therefore, selecting a correct filament material with suitable slicing software is important. Up to date, the relation between filament materials and slicing software on printed part quality and manufacturing performance is still unknown. Thus, it is necessary to study the manufacturing characteristics of 3D printed parts using different filament materials and slicing software to find the best combinations and parameters for reliable and efficient production of high-quality parts for various applications. This work evaluates relationship between filament and slicing software on the manufacturing performance of 3D printing parts. PLA, ABS, and Nylon as filament material is used. Meanwhile, Ultimaker Cura, PrusaSlicer, and Repetier-Host is used as slicing software. Printed parts are produced according to ASTM D638 Type 1 dimensions. The manufacturing performance were measured based on accuracy of printing time prediction, dimensional accuracy, and surface quality. From the result, each slicing software have advantages and disadvantages when different material used. In general, when using Nylon as filament material, the printing time became shortest regardless slicing software (30.33 minute to 71.33 minute). However, the shortest time printing time can be produce using combination of Repetier-host as slicing software and Nylon as filament material where printing time taken is 30.33 minute. Meanwhile, by using combination of ABS material and Ultimaker Cura, printer will able to produced smoothest surface (2.792 μm). For dimensional accuracy, the most accurate combination was using Repetier-Host and PLA filament (0.03%).

Synthesis of Nanosilica form Sugarcane Bagasse Using the Sol-Gel Method for Enhanced Nano fluid Applications

Fuzieah Subari — 2025-01-09

Nanomaterials have gained immense popularity in advanced materials research due to their unique properties and potential applications in various fields. This study synthesizes nanofluids from ash-derived sugarcane bagasse nanosilica and evaluates their potential for practical and industrial applications. Using a sol-gel method and a two-step ultrasonication process, the nanofluids were characterized for particle size, agglomeration, stability, and viscosity. SEM images revealed irregularly shaped nanosilica particles with rough surfaces, indicating high surface areas and a tendency to agglomerate. UV-Vis spectroscopy showed that absorbance values decreased over time, indicating particle sedimentation or aggregation, with lower concentrations (0.05 wt.% and 0.10 wt.%) demonstrating better stability. Zeta potential measurements confirmed higher stability at lower concentrations due to stronger electrostatic repulsion, while viscosity measurements indicated effective dispersion without excessive thickening. Additionally, pH measurements revealed its critical role in maintaining the stability and dispersion of nanofluids, with optimal pH levels contributing to improved electrostatic interactions and reduced agglomeration. These findings suggest that lower concentrations of nanosilica provide better stability and dispersion in nanofluids, offering valuable insights for future formulation and application strategies in various industries.

Silver Nanoparticle Synthesis and Characterization for the Treatment of Ganoderma Fungus

Intan Sue Liana Abdul Hamid — 2025-01-09

Almost every producing country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has benefited from the large-scale growth of the oil palm industry in recent years. However, there are a few risks to the palm trees that can have an impact on the GDP of our nation, one of which is the disease known as Ganoderma Basal Stem Rot (BSR). The lignin trunk of palm trees is broken down or degraded by a specific fungus called Ganoderma Boninense, Therefore, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been created for this purpose due to their potential for treating fungus. The AgNPs were synthesized into a spherical shape by using Silver Nitrate (AgNO3), Sodium Borohyrdide (NaBH₄), and Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) due to its straightforward and adaptable setup. Regarding to the AgNPs characterization, the optical properties showed the greatest absorption peak of transverse suface plasmon resonance (t-SPR) for AgNPs is 2.670 intensity at wavelength of 420nm. The structural properties of AgNPs exhibit an intensity peak as indexed (1 1 1), at 2(Theta) = 38.10°. The surface density for morphological properties is 0.1211 ± 0.000333. The study shows that 25.17% of fungal growth around Negative Control area, 2.09% around AgNPs Control area, and 0% of fungal growth around Positive Control area during the disc diffusion experiment after 7 days.

Hybrid Oxygen Carrier System of Formic and Acetic Acids for Soybean Oil Epoxidation

Ahmad Shauqi Abrar Shahrizan — 2025-01-09

Green chemistry’s commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly materials is exemplified by the epoxidation of soybean oil, which transforms a common crop into epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO), a versatile chemical asset. ESBO, a bio-based resource, serves as a plasticizer, stabilizer, and reactive diluent in industries like plastics and cosmetics. The study focused on the peracid method and hybrid oxygen carriers like formic and acetic acid to create ESB), a valuable chemical feedstock. This study examined the effect of reaction temperature on the epoxidation process found that the relative conversion to oxirane (RCO) value for the experiment at 65°C (40.68%) is higher compared to those at 75°C and 85°C, indicating that 65°C is the ideal temperature for the epoxidation process of soybean oil. The research highlights the importance of temperature in the kinetics of chemical reactions and the benefits of using a hybrid system for a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to producing ESBO.

Decolorization of Acid Yellow 23 by Photo-Electro Fenton Process using Used Alkaline Batteries

Nurhafizah Mohd Selihin — 2025-01-09

Wastewater, a pressing environmental issue worldwide, is exacerbated by pollutants such as azo dyes (e.g., Acid Yellow 23) and the growing volume of electronic waste, including alkaline battery waste. Alkaline batteries contain harmful substances like lead, cadmium, and lithium, and the use of novel materials in batteries raises additional environmental safety concerns. Reusing materials from used batteries for wastewater treatment is gaining interest, as this approach can create a closed-loop system, converting e-waste into useful products and reducing the need for new raw materials. This study aims to determine the removal efficiency of Acid Yellow 23 using graphite electrodes derived from used alkaline batteries in the photo-electro Fenton (PEF) process and to identify the optimal conditions for maximizing this efficiency. PEF is a variant of the Fenton reaction that uses light to generate hydroxyl radicals (OH·) instead of relying solely on electrochemical methods. In this process, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and a photosensitizer, which absorbs light and initiates chemical reactions, are added to a solution containing the target pollutant. The combination of H2O2, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and ferrous (Fe2+) or ferric (Fe3+) ions (as oxalate ions) produces more OH· radicals than the traditional Fenton method. The results indicated that the system achieved the highest removal rate of 88.2% under optimal conditions: an initial Acid Yellow 23 concentration of 40 mg/L, a catalyst concentration (FeSO4) of 6 mM, and an applied voltage of 4.5 V. Under these conditions, the kinetic study of dye removal followed a second-order reaction model. These findings demonstrate a significant improvement in dye removal efficiency with the introduction of light in the PEF process. This research highlights the potential of repurposing electronic waste materials for effective wastewater treatment, contributing to sustainable environmental practices and resource-efficient technologies.

Overall Thermal Transfer Value: A Preliminary Study of Residential Building in Hot-Humid Climate

NORASIKIN BINTI HUSSIN — 2025-01-09

Malaysia buildings have high intensity of solar radiation and high daily air temperature. Due to excessive heat and high air temperature can cause discomfort, and the occupants need to use the air-conditioning system. The use of air-conditioning has influence to increasing the energy consumption in buildings. To tackle this issue, the Overall Thermal Transfer Value (OTTV) standard as an assessment tool is used to measure of heat gain in the building. OTTV standard is applicable to minimize energy consumption of air conditioning. This study aimed to investigate the OTTV in single terrace house. The method used in this study is by direct calculation. The OTTV was calculated for two cases, namely case study model A and model B. The study considered parameters of building envelope such as window-to-wall ratio. U value, glazing material, and fenestration orientation. Through OTTV calculation, the result for case study model B in the southeast direction is 53.51 W/m2. Solar radiation through fenestration was contributor to the increasing of OTTV. Then, the total OTTV result for case study model A and model B was 22.86 W/m2 and 23.26 W/m2, respectively. The results showed that the building met the minimum requirements for the OTTV, less than 50W/m2. This study shows that some design consideration in building envelope have influence on the OTTV.

Investigating the Influence of Print Settings on PLA Filament Using the Espresso F220 3D Printer

Ana Syahidah Mohd Rodzi — 2025-01-09

This research focuses on optimizing the 3D printing settings of the Espresso F220 3D printer using Polylactic Acid (PLA) filament. A user-friendly guideline was developed to assist users in identifying critical model sections requiring support structures to prevent printing defects and adjusting retraction settings to minimize stringing. The Support Structure Test (SST), Retraction Test (RT) and Tensile Test (TT) profile setting were evaluated. Results SST the effectiveness of support structure at various angles, where the RT to produce the optimal retraction distance to reduce stringing between towers. In TT investigated the effects of printing temperature (190°C, 210°C, and 230°C) on mechanical strength of PLA material. Model 4, utilizing setting from previous studies, proven the best quality prints with minimal surface damage. TT results proven the higher printing temperature resulted in the strongest PLA material, and suitable for many applications. The research offers valuable insight for optimizing FDM in 3D printing process in engineering applications at UiTM Penang.

Thermal Characterization of Silver-Based Conductive Polymers for Flexible Electronics

Zuraihana Bachok — 2025-01-09

Conductive polymer composites are increasingly important due to their unique electrical and polymeric properties, with applications in flexible electronics and sensors. Understanding their thermal behavior, especially in PDMS-OH with silver (Ag) nanoparticles, is essential for optimizing performance and reliability. This study investigates the thermal behavior of conductive polymer composites made from polydimethylsiloxane with hydroxyl end groups (PDMS-OH) and varying contents of silver nanoparticles (40%, 60%, and 80%) using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The DSC result revealed that the 60% silver content offers an optimal balance between flexibility and processability, with a Tg of approximately 178.13°C and a delta Cp of 0.130 J/g°C. Meanwhile, TGA results indicate that the 60% silver conductive polymer also achieves superior thermal stability and minimal degradation, making it the most suitable choice for high-performance applications. Although increasing the silver content can improve thermal stability, excessive silver content may lead to adverse effects. Therefore, the PDMS-OH conductive polymer with 60% silver content emerges as the optimal formulation, providing a favorable combination of flexibility, processability, thermal stability, and minimal weight loss, outperforming both the lower and higher silver content formulations, which can lead to more durable and efficient electronic components, enhancing the overall quality and lifespan of the end products.

The Properties of Sustainable Fired Clay Bricks Incorporating Eggshell and Recycled Glass Waste

Natasha Ahmad Nawawi — 2025-01-09

Fired clay bricks have been integral to construction for centuries, valued for their inherent strength and durability. However, the substantial energy demands and greenhouse gas emissions from the high-temperature brick firing process pose pressing environmental concerns. The scarcity of quality clay deposits for brickmaking has also raised fears of resource depletion. Eggshells, comprised of nearly 95% calcium carbonate, undergo a chemical transformation during firing that enhances compressive strength and reduces porosity in bricks. A recent study showed that using eggshell waste to replace clay in brick is positive. Meanwhile, soda lime silica, produced by recycling waste glass, forms a protective glaze-like coating on brick surfaces, lowering required firing temperatures and improving thermal insulation. Different eggshell powder concrete bricks were developed by replacing 0%,5%, and 10% in the clay and soda lime silica mixture to find the best composition of the brick with the desired properties. The enhanced performance of these bricks can be attributed to the inclusion of eggshells in the clay and soda lime silica mixture. As a result, the green approach conserves natural resources while meeting sustainability goals, charting a new course for environmentally responsible brick manufacturing. The findings highlight the potential of utilising eggshells to enhance the properties of clay bricks to improve their characteristic and mitigate waste reduction associated with the egg industry. The study suggests that incorporating eggshell waste into burned clay bricks improves properties and offers a sustainable approach to waste management. Compression and water absorption tests assess the brick's structural integrity and durability. The study output was positive, demonstrating incorporating soda lime silica and eggshell into brick formulations with weight ratios of 50/50 and 60/40 is effective. Compared to current bricks that are available on the market, these modified bricks exhibit enhanced sustainability and potentially improved material properties.

Optimizing Silica Extraction form Rice Ash: A Comparative Study of Alkaline and Acid Leaching

Mimi Azlina — 2025-01-09

This research aimed to study the characteristics of silica which had been extracted from rice ash using two methods, i.e. alkaline and acid leaching. There were five types of solutions used; 1M and 2M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions, 1M and 2M potassium hydroxide (KOH) solutions, and a 1M hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution. After the extraction process, the amount of silica was calculated and analyzed using FTIR and XRD. Based on FTIR analysis, the Si-O-Si group was found within the frequencies range of 782 cm−1 to 798 cm−1 while the Si-O group was found within the 3671 cm−1 to 3751 cm−1 range and the O-H group was found at 86.4541 cm−1. XRD showed crystallinity index results of 44.0%, 46.4%, 13.0% and 45.1% from the variations of KOH, (1M and 2M) and variations of NaOH (1M and 2M) respectively. The usage of 1M of HCL contributed to the optimum production of silica up to 8.1g with the percentage yield of silica was 40.5%.

In-Depth Analysis of the Biomechanical Performance of Dental Implants: Square vs. Spiral Thread Designs Under Chewing Conditions

Muhammad Faris Bin Abd Manap — 2025-01-09

Dental implants are known as a procedure to replace a missing tooth. The success of dental implants is affected by the amount of force, implant design, and the tension of implant growth surrounding the bone. The purpose of this project is to study the von-Mises stress, total deformation, and contact pressure of biomechanical stress at tooth implants in the lower jaw during chewing simulation by using the finite element method. The models, including the crown, a few screw implants, abutment, and jawbone, were designed in Solid work with refinement by using Altair Inspire Studio, while the implant simulation has been conducted in ANSYS Workbench. The simulation began by applying three different loadings of 1000N, 1500N and 2000N to the two assembled models of jawbone with different materials of crown and implant. The two constructed models of the jawbone consist of one featuring a square implant and another incorporating a spiral implant. The simulation results indicate that the jawbone model with two different implants experienced deformation and changes in the von-Mises stresses of the implants. It was observed that crowns made of metal or zirconia experienced the lowest stresses, with a value of 4407.5 MPa on the crown during chewing conditions. The mechanical analysis of a square implant under a 1000N load showed a reduction of 896.66 MPa, 1230.1 MPa, and 6.992 mm in von-Mises stress, contact pressure, and total deformation, respectively. The study concludes that square implants under 1000N load demonstrate significantly lower von-Mises stress, contact pressure, and total deformation compared to other implant designs, highlighting their potential effectiveness in reducing biomechanical stress during chewing.

Cervical Fusion Cage Lattice Structure Optimization using Computational Biomechanics

Mohd Afzan Mohd Anuar — 2025-01-09

Implants are instruments that typically inserted into a host tissue to restore any damaged physical function. In the case of a spinal implant, it usually consists of a spinal cage, pedicle screw and spinal rod, which they act together as a medical device that is implemented in the surgical treatment of patients with spinal diseases. Titanium alloy such as Ti- 6Al- 4V is a biomaterial that commonly used in the spinal implants. However, the alloy is non-degradable and may cause stress shielding effect. Hence, magnesium alloy such as ZK60 is used as a substitute for the Ti-6Al-4V due to its biodegradable and bioabsorbable characteristics. The study aims to optimize the spinal cages of Ti-6Al-4V and ZK60 by incorporating lattice alteration to the implants and to evaluate the stress distribution of optimized spinal cages under sitting condition. The spinal cages of Ti-6Al-4V and ZK60 were optimized using nTop software with Diamond lattice structures, which can provide great cell growth rates and high energy absorption capacity compared to the other lattice structure types. After that, the finite element analysis (FEA) model of the solid and optimized spinal cages were established to evaluate their stress distribution and total deformation under sitting condition. The stress in the current study showed comparable trend with the previous biomechanical and finite element analysis (FEA) study. Both current and previous study showed lower maximum stress in optimized group of spinal cages compared to the solid group, and lower maximum stress in ZK60 group than the Ti-6Al-4V group. The maximum von Mises stress in solid cages decreased by 25.63% and 26.32% for Ti- 6Al-4V and ZK60, respectively, after the lattice optimization. As for the total deformation, a larger deformation occurred in the optimized group of spinal cages than that of solid group. Maximum deformation of optimized ZK60 spinal cage was 2.09×10-6 mm while the maximum deformation of solid ZK60 was 1.86×10-6 mm. In summary, the lower maximum stress value of ZK60 in the findings showed better mechanical properties of ZK60, as the magnesium alloy has elastic modulus value that is much closer to the value of normal bone tissue than Ti-6Al-4V. Besides, the findings showed that the optimized group of spinal cages further reduced their stiffness with the application of porous structure, based on the greater total deformation in the cages.

An Investigation into the Lifespan of Brush DC Motor with Different Oil Properties

Nor Azirah Mohd Fohimi — 2025-01-09

A DC motor is an electromechanical device that converts electrical energy to mechanical torque. DC motors are widely used in industry and electrical appliances such as adjustable seats and electric toothbrushes. However, DC motors have a short lifetime and applying lubricant is one of the solutions for this problem. This study aims to determine the properties of oil that are suitable for lubrication and compare the maximum speed, lifetime and final temperature of a DC motor after applying different lubricants and without applying any lubricants. Two different oils (Oil A and Oil B) with different properties were used in this experiment. Each motor in this experiment needed to be run and stopped for 3-minute intervals and repeating this cycle until the motor’s RPM was dropped. The results show that both oils have the same density, that is 840 kg/m3 but the viscosity of the oil is different that is, 2.081×10-5 m2/s for oil B compared to 2.497×10-5 m2/s for oil A by using a 1.590 mm diameter steel ball. This experiment also shows that by applying lubricant, it increases the maximum speed and the lifespan of the DC motor. The lifespan for the DC motor with oil B to maintain its maximum speed of 28500 RPM is longer, which is 13 cycles, or about 39 minutes, while the DC motor with oil A could maintain its maximum speed of 27500 RPM for only 12 cycles, or 36 minutes. Therefore, the motor with lubricant that has a lower viscosity (Oil B) gives a better result than the motor with a higher viscosity lubricant (Oil A) in terms of maximum speed, lifetime and the rise of the DC motor temperature is between 37.7°C and 39.5°C not exceeding 40°C.