A bright future Sustainable energy
Tuesday 15 May 20129.00am - 5.00pm(Registration from 8.30am)
Technology Futures Institute Annual Research Day,in collaboration with the School of Science & Engineering
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The Technology Futures Institute (TFI) at Teesside University is aninternational leader in key areas of research and innovation relatedto sustainable energy, advanced processing, nanotechnology andproject management. As well as developing new knowledge and technologies, the TFIprovides a wide range of services through its strong, long-standingrelationships with public and private sector organisations.
Welcome
Find out how the Technology Futures Institute can support your business: Professor Nashwan Dawood, Director, Technology Futures InstituteT: +44 (0) 1642 342405 | E: [email protected] |www.tees.ac.uk/technologyfutures
Poster presentations available to view throughout the day
P1 Temilade Ladokun
P2 Fathi Abugchem
P3 Salah Abuzaid
P4 Abdullah Albogamy
P5 Edvinas Rasys
P6 Mark Butler
The North East of England is leading the wayin the transition to the low carbon economyand the TFI is at the heart of this exciting,interdisciplinary activity. This year’s researchday focuses on our work relating to energy services, sustainable urbanenvironments and industrial processes.Today’s programme features a mix of high-profile industrial and academic speakersand includes oral and poster presentationsby our PhD students, highlighting theircutting-edge, innovative research in theirchosen field.
Have a wonderful time and thank you forattending our TFI research day.
Professor Nash Dawood DirectorTechnology Futures Institute
The Technology Futures Institute’s annualresearch day is a fantastic opportunity forbusinesses and the public sector tounderstand our innovative researchcapabilities and the role that our expertisecan play for them. We hope that todayprovides some excellent networkingopportunities and helps to widen yourunderstanding of how we can help yourorganisation reach its full potential.
Enjoy the day.
Professor Cliff Hardcastle Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Business Engagement)
Our provision includes traditional dayrelease courses, such as the BTEC HNC and HND in engineering disciplines,and full-time and part-time foundation,undergraduate and postgraduate honours degrees.
Take advantage of Teesside UniversityOpen Learning (Engineering) onlinecourses to efficiently develop yourtechnical and engineering skills.
Our courses are equally suited to ongoingprofessional development of seniortechnical managers and to supportingestablished vocational training such asapprenticeships.
Find out how to advance your career inengineering and petrochemicals:
Postgraduate course enquiries:
T: 01642 738800E: [email protected]/science&engineering
Teesside University Open Learning(Engineering)course enquiries:
T: 01642 342740E: [email protected]/tuole
We provide a wide range of engineering courses for work-based learners andthose who are able to attend the campus in a flexible range of study modes.
A spark of inspiration
TheUniversity for BUSINESS
School of Science & EngineeringSupporting local industry to develop the problem solvers, innovators and leaders of the future
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8.30am Registration and refreshments
9.00am WelcomeChaired by Professor Nashwan Dawood, Director, Technology Futures Institute
9.15am The customer led network revolution – a multi-disciplinary smart grid projectJohn Bird, Head of Sustainability, Northern Powergrid
9.50am Modelling energy related data to support decision making in architecture and urban planning: methods and approaches Professor Leandro Madrazo, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona
10.25am Sustainable energy in an urbanised world Jørgen Hvid, Senior Consultant at RAMBOLL
11.00am Refreshments and poster session
11.20am CO2: you have to measure it to manage it Dr Chris Ennis, TFI Research Fellow, Teesside University
11.40am The green agenda: past, present and future challenges for domestic energy consumers David Lynch, Research Officer, National Energy Action
12.15pm The role of driving simulators in electric vehicle research and development Dr Michael Knowles, University of Sunderland in collaboration with FORUM8
12.50pm Lunch and poster session
1.40pm Parallel sessions (A and B) Delegates are invited to attend Session A or B
2.55pm Refreshments and poster session
3.15pm Parallel sessions (C and D) Delegates are invited to attend Session C or D
4.30pm Award for best student presentation and closing remarks Professor Simon Hodgson, Dean, School of Science & Engineering
Programme
Session A: Manufacturing and process engineeringChaired by Michael Short Amal Metak C1Nanomaterial migration into food productsDavid Hughes C2In-vitro analysis of a new glenohumeral injury caused by rearautomotive impactsYuosef Adraider C3Combination of laser technology and sol-gel ceramic coatingsfor surface modificationHgubrriyadh Al-Allaq C4Novel morphologies and controllable synthesis of mesoporousSBA-15 for plastic waste catalytic conversion into usefulmaterials in supercritical water
Session B: Engineering and sustainabilityChaired by Mohammed KassemMartin McKie C5A technology implemented improvement model in a UK iron foundryRajiv Chavada C6A framework for spatial-temporal conflict identification andresolution using game engine environmentAmit Mhalas C7A visual energy assessment tool for urban planningGeoffrey Miller C8Serious games and health and safety training in construction
Session C: Measurement control (signals) andcommunicationsChaired by Immanuel Sebastine Elhashmi Abujaafar C9Application of cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy(CEAS) to analytical measurementAnwar Rasoul C10Multi-phase, multi-component prediction in the chemicalprocess industriesYashaswini Seenappanahalli Nanjundaiah C11The influence of cell free probiotic supernatant on bacterialmacrophage interactionsBo Li C12Spectral and hyperspectral imaging in forensic scenarios
Session D: Sustainability and securityChaired by Gillian TaylorAngela Addison C13The importance of engaging science and engineeringstudents in virtual-world learning Claudia Garrido-Varas C14 Asymmetry of the adult human humerus and its use in forensicanthropology Haitham Mansour C15Evaluation of the operational performance of workover activitiesin oilfieldsOsama Alaskari C16Critical successful factors (CSFs) for successfulimplementation of lean tools and ERP systems
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John BirdThe customer-led network revolution –a multi-disciplinary smart grid project
John is head of sustainability for NorthernPowergrid, the electricity distributionbusiness for Yorkshire and the North East. Hehas been based with Northern Powergridsince 2000 having worked for 18 years inseveral Government departments, includingthe Department of Energy and the Treasury,most notably on energy policy and theprivatisation of the gas and electricityindustries. Following this, John was Head ofGovernment Relations with BNFL for sevenyears. He is a member of the CBI EnergyPolicy Committee and a Fellow of the EnergyInstitute.
Professor Leandro MadrazoModelling energy related data tosupport decision making in architectureand urban planning: methods andapproaches
Leandro is a professor at the School ofArchitecture La Salle, Universitat Ramon Llull,Barcelona, and Head of the ARCArchitecture Representation Computationresearch group since its creation in 1999. Hegraduated from the Universitat Politècnica deCatalunya, and later studied as a Fulbrightscholar in the Master of Architectureprogrammes of Harvard University and at theUniversity of California Los Angeles, wherehe obtained his master’s degree. Leandrowas based at the Department of Architectureand CAAD at ETH Zürich, completing hisPhD in 1995. Participating in severalEuropean funded projects dealing with theapplication of ICT to foster theindustrialisation of the construction sector,and to improve the energy efficiency ofbuildings and cities, Leandro is currentlycoordinating the research project SEMANCO– Semantic Tools for CO2 Reduction in UrbanPlanning – funded by the 7th FrameworkProgramme 2011-2014.
Jørgen HvidSustainable energy in an urbanisedworld
Jørgen has been a chief consultant insustainable energy at Ramboll since the mid-80’s. Throughout his career he hasadvised governments, local authorities andprivate companies on how to reduce energyconsumption and implement renewableenergy. For the last few years his primaryfocus has been on sustainable planning forlarge urban areas. Jørgen’s recent projectsinclude the development of sustainableenergy concepts for the City of Copenhagen,the brownfield area of North Harbour inCopenhagen, the Skolkovo Innovation City inMoscow and the Chicago Lakesidebrownfield development.
Speaker biographies
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Dr Chris EnnisCO2: you have to measure it to manage it
Chris is a research chemist with abackground in surface, atmospheric andphysical chemistry. He has a particularinterest in development of real solutions totackle the threat of climate destabilisationfrom anthropogenic greenhouse gasemissions. His carbon managementexpertise is being employed in dozens ofregional SMEs and his research is a centralindicator of regional decarbonisationperformance used by Tees Valley Unlimited,our Local Enterprise Partnership. Chris’physical science research focuses on theuse of charcoal in soil for fertilityimprovements and long-term carbonsequestration. He is a founder member ofthe North East England – Tamil Nadu(NEEDIL) research network that is working toimplement clean technologies and carbonsequestration based on algalbiotechnologies.
David Lynch The green agenda: past, present andfuture challenges for domestic energyconsumers
David is a research officer working atNational Energy Action [NEA]. The NEAdevelops and promotes energy efficiencyservices to tackle the heating and insulationproblems of low-income households andworks in partnership with central and localgovernment; with fuel utilities, housingproviders and health services; and withconsumer organisations. While workingwithin NEA’s Research Team, David hasbeen heavily involved in designing,developing and delivering a whole plethoraof research projects. His core researchinterests are assessing the economic impactof area based initiatives such as CESP, gridload impacts following the installation of newtechnologies and efficiencies of communitybased heating schemes in alleviating fuelpoverty, and understanding and evaluatingthe social implications of renewabletechnologies.
Dr Michael KnowlesThe role of driving simulators in electricvehicle research and development
Mike graduated from the University ofBirmingham with an MEng in Electrical andElectronic Engineering and with a PhD inElectrical Engineering (Machine Vision). In addition to working as a consultant forBirmingham Research and DevelopmentLimited and as an associate lecturer for theOpen University, Mike has been employed bythe University of Sunderland since 2007. He has worked in areas including intelligentsystems, condition monitoring, intelligentdiagnostic software, electric vehicle reliabilityand operational efficiency and driving.
The Technology Futures InstituteThe Technology Futures Institute focuses on problem solving – we developknowledge and technologies to support sustainable local, national and internationalbusiness and public sector activities in the process, energy, environment, life sciencesand security sectors.
Find out how the Technology Futures Institute can support your business: Professor Nashwan Dawood, Director, Technology Futures InstituteT: +44 (0) 1642 342405 | E: [email protected] |www.tees.ac.uk/technologyfutures
u International leaders in research and innovation including sustainablebusiness, industrial and construction technologies and methods,advanced processing, engineering management, and crime and security
u Collaboration with world leading companies, research organisations andpartnerships with the voluntary, community and public sectors
u Particularly active in knowledge transfer and demonstration projectsfunded by the DTI, EU and British Council which help businessesincrease competitiveness, productivity, annual profit and make better useof cutting edge knowledge, technology and skills.
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Nanomaterial migrationinto food products
A Metak, SS Connolly, SN Connolly, F Nabhani
Nanocomposites are able to deliverdesirable properties for packaging materials,as well as, enhancing the durability ofperishable products through reduction ofwaste, generated post manufacturing, andlowering energy consumption. Commercialnanocomposite food packaging containersand coating films were tested on real foodmatrices to determine the degree ofmigration. Analyses, performed according tothe relevant European safety directives,involved the application of InductivelyCoupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Atomic AbsorptionSpectrophotometry (AAS) to identify therange of silver nanoparticles involved inmigration. The migration assessment ofNano-silver packaging was conducted inassays involving a wide range of foodmaterials. Similarly, simulations using de-ionised distilled water and 2% nitric acid wereperformed to validate the results obtained forfood matrices. Scanning ElectronMicroscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) were alsoemployed to confirm the existence of Nano-silver, originating from the packaging, in thefood samples.
The data demonstrates insignificant levels ofmigration on selected food matrices for theNano-silver polymer containers compared tocoated Nano-silver cling films, which showedhigher levels of nanoparticle release. Thestudies also confirmed the antimicrobialactivity of commercial Nano-silver foodpackaging.
In-vitro analysis of a newglenohumeral injurycaused by rearautomotive impacts
DJ Hughes, S Hodgson, F Nabhani
Whiplash injured patients often complain ofpain in the shoulders following rear impact.This investigation aims to assess the causeand effect of these pains and advise oncorrective measures. A 3D model wasgenerated and a finite element analysis wasperformed simulating a crash situation toassess and define this injury more clearly.The model is validated against a mechanicaltest rig to confirm the results. The modeldisplays a clear proximal force resulting fromthe impact scenario which created anincreased loading on the supraspinatus.
This injury occurs when a driver sees avehicle approaching from behind and braceshimself/herself for the impact locking theelbows and pressing against the steeringwheel. This causes the shoulder center tobecome postiorially and proximally locatedso that during distal impact, large forces areimpacted on the supraspinatus andsubscapularis tendons. It is hoped that withthe information gathered from this study thatthese injuries will be diagnosed earlier andlead to better long term recovery.
Combination of lasertechnology and sol-gelceramic coatings forsurface modification
Y Adraider, YX Pang, F Nabhani, S Hodgson
Laser processing of sol-gel coatings is aninnovative route to engineer the materials’surfaces without affecting the bulk properties,because of the localised processing natureof laser beam.
This new surface engineering technology hasattracted wide interests due to the versatilityof sol-gel coatings which allow variety andspeciality in designing surface structure andproperties for various engineeringapplications, such as enhancing oxidationresistance, improving optical properties andstrengthening mechanical performance.
The behaviour of the sol-gel coatingmaterials and their interaction with the laserbeam are, however, still not fully understood.This study was carried out to achieve furtherunderstanding of the scientific fundamentalsand technological factors of this combinationand provide the guidelines for futureinvestigation. Pulsed ytterbium fibre laserradiation (λ= 1062nm) in continuous wavemode was applied to sol-gel alumina andtitania to fabricate ceramic coatings onstainless steel (AISI316). Various laserparameters and sol-gel coating conditionswere investigated and the resulting surfacesanalysed by ATR-FTIR, XRD, SEM, contactangle and mechanical measurements.
The key factors controlling the compositionand structure of the resultant ceramiccoatings were obtained and, in turn, appliedto interpret the formation mechanism ofcrystalline ceramic coatings with the help oflaser irradiation. Alumina coatings producedby laser irradiating on dried sol-gel films onAISI316 consist of γ-Al2O3 and α-Al2O3,and the hardness of coated surface reachesthe level of α-Al2O3, ideal for mechanicalapplications. Titania coatings fabricated bylaser-induced deposition from sol-geldispersions exhibited rutile and anatasecrystalline phases, with potentials forphotovoltaic and self-cleaning applications.
Manufacturing and process engineeringChair: Michael Short From catalysts to car crashes, this session presents a selection of our PhD students’ pioneeringwork including cutting-edge surface modifications and investigations of nanocomposite safety.
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Novel morphologies and controllable synthesisof mesoporous SBA-15for plastic waste catalyticconversion into usefulmaterials in supercriticalwater
R Al Allaq, M Olea, S Hodgson, P Russell,P Yongxin
This research investigates the design of acommercial process for the conversion ofplastic waste into useful materials usingcatalysts in supercritical water (SCW).Mesoporous silica, SBA-15, is prepared as a support for acidic catalysts due to its highsurface area, high thermal stability andchemical resistance.
SBA-15 and other common, commerciallyavailable catalysts are destroyed under theaggressive reactor conditions (highly acidicSCW and high mechanical stress of meltedplastic).Therefore we have designed novelmorphologies of SBA-15 with highmechanical and chemical resistance.
To increase the mechanical strength of SBA-15 three new SBA-15 types weresynthesised: single tube (ST), bent tube (BT),and spherical (S). This presentation reportsthe characterisation of these types. Porestructure was investigated with low angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) and surfacemorphology was studied by scanningelectron microscopy. Release of copolymerfrom SBA-15 pores was investigatedthermogravimetrically, and sample surfacearea was determined with N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms.
The XRD results illustrate well-orderedhexagonal structures for the traditional multi-tube SBA-15 and for our ST, and BT samples.XRD results were supported by N2-adsorptionstudies. Multi-tube, ST and BT demonstratehighly ordered mesopores, whereas Ssamples exhibit randomly distributedmesopores.
C4 A technologyimplementedimprovement model in a UK iron foundry
M McKie, F Nabhani, P Shelton
The foundry industry in the United Kingdomhas been in decline for a number of years.There are various reasons for this but onereason seems to be the increase in theproduction of low integrity castings fromChina which has grown over 300% since1991.
The research aims to firstly identify, via theuse of a questionnaire, technologies utilisedwithin the industry and the benefits achievedfrom them. Secondly it will demonstrate theimplementation of a technology implementedimprovement model in a UK iron foundry. Thefoundry, a small to medium enterprise (SME)based in the North East of England, agreed toadopt a number of linked research projectsover a two year period. These researchprojects included the implementation ofcomputer-aided design, finite elementanalysis, lean methodology, a foundryspecific enterprise resource planning systemand a bespoke subcontracting process.
These processes were designed andintegrated to support one another in achievingimproved business efficiency within the SME.This research will demonstrate and explain thebenefits achieved from the implementationsand the cross utilisation of the technologies.Hence, the benefits to UK foundries fromthese implementations and cross utilisationswill be determined. These benefits will lead tofoundries being more competitive in domesticand international markets.
A framework for spatial-temporal conflictidentification andresolution using gameengine environment
RD Chavada, N Dawood, D Scott, M Kassem
Construction workspace is regarded as oneof the main constraints on construction sites.Construction workspaces are generallydifficult to proactively plan and manage dueto the dynamic nature of a site whereworkspace requirements keep changing overtime. Mostly, project managers intuitivelydevelop a project plan for detailed activitiesand analyse activity conflicts in their head.Their capacity to do this is, however, limited.Hence, project managers are looking forways to develop proactive site plans for theworkspaces required for constructionactivities as this can impact not only on thecost and project duration, but can alsocontribute positively to site safety. We presentan approach for integrating workspacemanagement within the planning processusing a serious game engine technology. We first illustrate a review of the workspacemanagement practices and advancedvisualisation techniques in the constructionindustry. A process framework is presentedwhich provides an interactive environment,integrating workspace planning into 5Dplanning to enable safer, more efficient andmore productive sites.
The prototype will identify spatial-temporalconflicts and the severity of their conflicts andallow construction planners to resolve spatialconflicts prior to construction. Finally, wepresent the current progress in thedevelopment of an initial prototype andoutline the future work and research.
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Engineering and sustainabilityChair: Mohammed KassemThis session highlights how our PhD students are developing innovativecomputer-based technologies to increase efficiency, promote safety andreduce environmental damage in engineering and construction.
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A visual energyassessment tool forurban planning
A Mhalas, N Dawood, T Crosbie
The UK has ambitious CO2 emissionreduction targets of 20% by 2020 and 80% by 2050.
The energy used in homes accounts formore than a quarter of energy use and CO2emissions in the UK and the UK has some ofthe least energy efficient housing stock inEurope. More energy is used in housing thaneither road transport or industry. Therefore itis imperative to improve the energyperformance of the existing domesticbuilding stock and fully exploit renewableenergy sources. The problem is that it isdifficult for decision makers to assess whichoptions for reducing CO2 emissions have themost potential. There are a number ofdatabases holding information about thedomestic building stock in the UK.
This research investigates how thisinformation with the aid of informationtechnology and visualisation systems can beused to support informed decision making inenergy related urban planning. A pilot tool isbeing developed to estimate theenvironmental and financial implications ofdifferent approaches to reducing the energyconsumption of and CO2 emissions fromdomestic buildings at the neighbourhoodlevel.
The tool will support town planners, localauthorities and social housing providers inthe development of the policies andinterventions necessary reduce the CO2emissions from domestic building stock. In this way the research seeks to help townplanners and local authorities to meet CO2emission reduction targets.
Serious games andhealth and safety training in construction
G Miller, N Dawood, M Kassem, D Scott
The use of serious games for trainingconstruction workers is explored in thisresearch as part of an on-going effort toimprove health and safety. This workcombines advances in games design withexisting virtual training tools and industrydata models. Building information modellingtools that document both the structure ofbuildings under construction and theschedule for the completion of the differentstages of the construction process are widelyused. This provides an interesting vector forthe development of virtual training tools. Byusing this existing information and models ofconstruction products and processes it ispossible to replicate a construction sitevirtually and show the site changing overtime. This allows training tools to take abroader view of the training area. Instead oftraining people in discrete sections, the sitecan be moved back and forward in time toallow training in different skill sets within thesame training environment.
This will enable trainees to visualise the sitethey will be working on at different timeperiods during the construction process, givethem a greater feeling of immersion in thevirtual training environment and support theirrecognition of the site from day one of theconstruction process until the completion ofthat process. A prototype site has beendeveloped based on an existing building.This prototype replicates the features of a liveconstruction site to increase the authenticityof the virtual training environment.
The overall aim of the research is to illustratehow the cross pollination of tools used in thegaming and construction industries can yielda rich and effective educational environmentfor health and safety training.
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Application of cavityenhanced absorptionspectroscopy (CEAS) to analyticalmeasurement
E Abujaafar, M Islam, Z Ali, S Connolly
Broadband cavity enhanced absorptionspectroscopy (BBCEAS) is probably thesimplest technique which improves thesensitivity of conventional absorptionspectroscopy by increasing the effective pathlength. BBCEAS can be achieved by usingan optical cavity formed by two highreflectivity mirrors (> 0.99 nm) to multi-passlight many times through the detection area.The objective of this study is to develop arelatively inexpensive and enhancedbroadband optical detection system on amacro-scale, to allow the detection ofsubstances in a liquid phase with highsensitivity and simplicity. In this work wedescribe the use of BBCEAS technique tomeasure the content of ferric ions in water.Iron (III) ions were determined by reactionwith potassium thiocyanate to produce acomplex ion.
The concentration of [Fe(SCN)5] 2- in liquidphase was measured by UV- Visiblespectrophotometry with BBCEASexperimental setup. The average number ofbeam passes achieved was 92, αmin (2.96× 10-5 cm-1), and LOD were also calculated(3.39 × 10-8 M) and compare very well topublished results. Results demonstrated thatBBCEAS is a sensitive, simple and low costtechnique to measure absorption of liquid-phase analytes.
Multi-phase, multi-componentprediction in thechemical processindustries
A Rasoul, C Peel, D Pritchard
Thermodynamic modelling of phaseequilibrium is a core activity in the chemicalprocess industries. It relies on a precisedescription of thermodynamic properties forthe phases in mixtures. In this work the PengRobinson Styrjek Vera Equation of State(PRSV EOS) combined with the UNIQUACactivity coefficient model required in theWong Sandler Mixing Rules (WSMR) isutilised to model multi-componentheterogeneous systems. The capability andlimitations of the EOS and WSMR is testedusing range of modelling approaches. TheNelder-Mead simplex is used to produce thenecessary correlations and optimisation. TheTangent Plane Intersection (TPI) method wasapplied to a range of binary and ternaryheterogeneous systems. It was found thatthe TPI method is sensitive to starting valuesand due to this can suffer from instability.Therefore a new algorithm was developed togenerate realistic initial values. However, it isdifficult to expand the TPI for quaternarysystems which require constructions in fourdimensional space. Consequently this workdeveloped a new algorithm based on Gibbsfree energy minimisation, which is calledTangent Plane Distance (TPD). This methodhas been applied to a range of selected VLLEternary and quaternary systems and for thesesystems the results using the TPD methodare extremely encouraging. The methodtakes less computational time than TPI.
The use of EOS in modelling extremebehaviour, such as that found inmulticomponent, polar, heterogeneoussystems, relies as much on the mixing rulesused as the EOS employed. This workillustrates the usefulness of the PRSV Modelused in conjunction with WSMR anddemonstrates real progress in theconvergence between predictions and thereal data now available in this experimentallydifficult field.
The influence of cell freeprobiotic supernatant onbacterial macrophageinteractions
Y Seenappanahalli Nanjundaiah, Z Ali, DA Wright, M Sarker
Probiotics are shown to have healthbeneficial effects. However, the mechanismis poorly understood with many papersreporting contrary immunostimulatory orimmunosuppressive effects. This study usesa gentamicin protection assay (GPA) toassess the influence of probiotics on boththe bacterial (E. coli) ingestion and digestionphases of phagocytosis by macrophages(J774). The GPA was performed at amultiplicity of infection of 50:1 in DMEMalone or DMEM supplemented with either 20µgml-1 lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 10% cell-free Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG)supernatant or a combination of LPS-LGG.Following gentamicin treatment, ingestedbacteria were recovered from macrophagesat 30 and 60 minutes. Bacterial uptake issignificantly reduced when treated with LGGsupernatant and the LPS-LGG combinationtreatment (p<0.05). LPS alone has nosignificant effect on bacterial ingestion.
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Measurement control (signals) and communicationsChair: Immanuel Sebastine This session presents our PhD students’ leading work into application of spectroscopy,probiotics and chemical process modelling.
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To study the bacterial digestion, E. coli wasincubated with macrophages for 60 minutesprior to the gentamicin treatment. Therecovered ingested bacteria weresubsequently monitored at regular timeintervals to determine the digestion rate. TheLPS and the LPS-LGG combination, broughtabout significant increase in the digestionrate when compared to control (p<0.05).LGG alone had no significant effect onbacterial digestion.
The data suggest LGG inhibits bacterialingestion, but does not influence digestion,whereas LPS does not influence ingestionbut enhances bacterial digestion. Thetreatments involving LPS-LGG supernatant incombination demonstrate that neithertreatment interferes with the others distinctmode of phagocytic modulation.
Thus, LGG may suppress the total microbialload on macrophages, and, hence, theextent to which the free radicals aregenerated. Future work will focus on whetherthe LGG driven suppression of ingestion isalso associated with a reduction of pro-inflammatory molecules and can maintainthis suppression in the presence of LPS.
Spectral andhyperspectral imaging in forensic scenarios
B Li, P Beveridge, L O’Hare, M Islam
Bloodstains are some of the most frequentand significant evidence found at crimescenes by police officers. The distributionand morphology of bloodstains play animportant role in crime reconstructions andultimately in determining the type of crimecommitted. To fully exploit the forensicinformation of a bloodstain an accurate wayof the determining the age of the stain isrequired. To date experiments have focusedon the visible range of the spectrum. Thiscan provide information on the chromophoresand fluorophores present in a molecule.
Reflectance spectroscopy is a noveltechnique for the estimation of the age of a bloodstain which offers the possibility ofmore accurate results. In this study, amicrospectrophotometer (MSP) was used to take the reflectance spectra and spectralpre-processing and feature selectiontechniques were applied to all spectra. Lineardiscriminant analysis (LDA) was used as thestatistical model, and after pre-processingthe spectra by Fourier transform, andapplying Fisher’s weight as feature selectionmethod, 99.2% leave-one-out validation forthe mathematical model was achieved.
Later experiments used liquid crystal tunablefilter (LCTF) coupled with a CMOS cameraas imager, and PCA loadings wereimplemented as the feature selectiontechnique. Two bloodstains were tested oneacting as the training dataset and the otheracting as the test dataset. The results of theLCTF experiment illustrate a significantimprovement in the correct classification rate.
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The importance ofengaging science andengineering students invirtual-world learning
A Addison, WT O’Hare, E Bel, J Terkeurst
The fields of science and engineering requirestudents to be involved in complex learningenvironments and activities. This type ofengagement design would be expected toensure that graduates develop excellentbasic employability skills; however,employers advise this is not the case.
Achieving the necessary reality andcomplexity in educational design for scienceand engineering contexts, to enhancegraduate skills, can be difficult. Highereducation settings can be restrictive.Problems accessing environments, such asheavy plant or chemical manufacture, arecompounded by changes to studentethnography. Institutions must consider howto deliver learning experiences at a distanceand/or collaboratively with students who aregeographically separate from each other.New technologies present academics withfurther challenges to their delivery modes butcould they hold the answer to some of theseproblems?
Role play attempts contextualisededucational reconstructions which activelyengage students in learning, but students,rather than feeling empowered to learnthrough role play, may feel encumbered by itdue to a “stage fright” like reaction. Virtualworld role play offers an anonymity that mayovercome such difficulties.
This presentation draws on a comparativestudy of role play in both a virtual world andtraditional class/lab based settings,undertaken to determine some of theanswers to these serious issues. A group ofscience based learners (n=5) wereinterviewed pre and post activities to seektheir views on the experience. The designcentred on a regulatory disciplineprogramme and utilised a blended learningapproach. The participant group included
traditional (n=3) and mature (n=2) students,combining males (n=3) and females (n=2)with an age range of 18 to 50 years.
Initial analysis of the data suggests that theimmersive sense of virtual world role playprovides opportunities for students torecreate actual application in real terms,giving a clear picture of likelyperformance/failings. Academics have avaluable chance to identify and givemeaningful feedback and improve graduateand employability skills for students.
Asymmetry of the adulthuman humerus and its use in forensicanthropology
C Garrido-Varas, T Thompson, I Spears
The mixing or commingling of skeletalelements is a complicated scenario inforensic anthropology. Being able to pairmatch elements belonging to an individualhas major importance in many analyticalprocesses such as estimating the most likelynumber of individuals, selecting the mostadequate sample for genetic study andrepatriation of the remains.It is proposed inthis study that combined shape and sizeanalysis of the remains is a better means ofpair matching elements than size or shapeon their own.
Geometric morphometrics was used for thispurpose on a sample of adult humans from amodern Chilean population. Pictures weretaken in a standard position of 64 humeri andtwo dimensional data were retrieved as amatrix of Cartesian coordinates whichincluded the location of nine landmarks. Sizewas quantified using centroid size, which is ameasure of the spread of the landmarksaround the centroid of each configuration.Shape was extracted from the landmarkcoordinate data using a generalizedProcrustes fit. Asymmetry and error werecalculated using Procrustes analysis ofvariance (ANOVA).
Results showed that the mean difference ofcentroid size between the right and left sideof each individual was 0.078, with standarddeviation of 0.057 and standard error of 0.01.ANOVA for effect of centroid size showedstatistical significance among and betweenindividuals (P<0.0001), and directionalasymmetry was present (P=0.0006 for rightbeing larger than left). ANOVA for shapeeffect showed significant difference amongand between individuals (P<0.0001) and nodirectional asymmetry of shape wasdetected (P=0.87). Measurement error was24 times smaller than the minimum biologicalvariation of shape.
After the Procrustes superimposition, datawere analyzed with principal componentanalysis and subsequently cluster analysiswas performed which successfully detectedpairs by means of maximum likelihoodamong configurations aiding in the processof pair matching.
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Sustainability and securityChair: Gillian TaylorPhD students present their pioneering work across a range of topics includingforensic anthropology, resource planning and process efficiency.
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Evaluation of theoperational performanceof workover activities in oilfields
H Mansour, M Ahmad, N Dhafr, H Ahmed
To support continuing efforts to improveprocesses and reduce costs in oilfieldproduction this research models andmeasures operational performance inoilfields. The research focuses on theremedial operations used on a producing oilwell to try to increase production.
A method of evaluating these workoverprocesses, including Emergency shutdownprocedures (ESP), was developed to assessthe operational performance of workover rigsand measure overall equipment effectiveness(OEE). The approach developed is based onthe availability of equipment, the performanceof the rig and the quality of output. In thispresentation a successful and effectiveevaluation of OEE, is discussed, this providesuseful observations for operationalimprovements in Oilfield production.
The results of the evaluation indicate thatintroducing OEE for the assessmentworkover activities is valuable as it indicateshow these activities can be improved. A newmodel is suggested to solve current problemsin workover actives and improve overallworkover operational performance.
Critical success factors(CSFs) for successfulimplementation of lean tools and ERPsystems
O Alaskari, MM Ahmad, N Dhafr, R Pinedo-Cuenca
Due to market competition and continuouspressure on businesses, there is always aneed to adopt innovative tools andtechniques to reduce waste and concentrateon value adding activities. Consequently,integration of lean tools and enterpriseresource planning (ERP) systems currentlyseem to be in high demand for bothmanufacturing and service organisations.However the implementation of lean toolsand ERP systems can lead to undesirableoutcomes if implemented incorrectly andthese can adversely affect improvements inthe process.
This research investigates the critical successfactors (CSFs) involved in implementing leantools and ERP systems with the aim ofunderstanding how these factors havechanged over time and considering thefuture directions. To achieve this aim, acomprehensive review of the publishedliterature was conducted to identify the CSFsand achieve a depth of understanding of thevarious CSFs already identified by otherresearchers.
The findings of this work support bothmanufacturing and service organisationsseeking to implement lean tools and ERPsystems, by determining both the factors thatlead to successful implementations andthose elements of the implementationprocess upon which most emphasis shouldbe placed.
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Mitigating stresses inpressure vessels: finiteelement modelling ofcylindrical shell
T Ladokun, F Nabhani, S Hodgson
Due to the differential operating pressure ofpressure vessels, they are potentially verydangerous. Accidents can be deadly when avessel’s contents are flammable/explosive,toxic or reactive. Stress induced operatingfactors (eg process-upset or catalystregeneration) and stress related defects (egfatigue creep, embrittlement and stresscorrosion cracking) account forapproximately 24.4% of reoccurringcatastrophic failures in pressure vessels inthe process industries. In many instancesthese catastrophic failures have led to theloss of several lives, severe damage toproperty and even the evacuation of localresidents.
Pressure vessels store large amounts ofenergy. The higher the operating pressureand the bigger the vessel, the more theenergy released in the event of a rupture andconsequently the greater the risk. To preventstress related vessel rupture andcatastrophic failure, it is necessary to identifythe main factors that contribute to stressdevelopment in pressure vessels and howthey can be mitigated. This researchpresents critical design analysis of stressdevelopment. It uses 3D CAD models ofcylindrical pressure vessel assembly, finiteelement engineering simulation of variousstresses and deformation tests at hightemperature and pressure.
The main objectives of this work are toidentify possible stresses in pressure vesselsand how they can be minimised with the aimof reducing accidents related to thecatastrophic failure of pressure vessels in theprocess industries.
Towards a betterunderstanding of impact of software andsystem architecture onperformance anddependability in real timecontrol system
F Abugchem F, M Short, D Xu
Real-time and embedded control systemsplay an increasing role in modern safety-critical systems, such as robotics andavionics. Guaranteeing real-time requirementand desired control performance whilemaking the most effective use of the availableprocessing capacity requires performing adetailed and comprehensive study for allsystem aspects. There are many diversefactors that are either known – or suspected –to influence the performance anddependability of these systems. Althoughprevious work has considered the applicationof formal techniques to prove the functionalityand timing correctness of these systems, todate comparatively little attention has beenpaid to their underlying software and systemarchitecture. This is an area that warrantsfurther study. This research attempts toinvestigate the impact of different versions ofunderlying software and system architectureon the performance of real time controlsystems.
In this research study a test-bed will beconstructed to allow simulation of hardwarein the loop. Based on this test-bed a numberof (non-trivial) real-time control systems suchas ball and beam, inverted pendulum, andservo systems will be designed employingdifferent control techniques such as PID(proportional-integral-derivative), adaptiveand predictive techniques.
The next step is to apply different types ofsoftware and system architecture (forexample: event- or time-triggered, pre-emptiveor non-pre-emptive, static or dynamic and soon) to all versions of control systems whichhave been constructed. The performanceand dependability of these designs will beevaluated and compared. Subsequently, anempirical dataset will be provided includingthe factors which are likely to impact thechoice of software and system architecture in building a real time control systems. Thesedata are expected to be of value to thecontrol system designers in helping them todecide which types of software and systemarchitecture fit their design requirement.
Relief materials forconstruction in disasteraffected areas
S Abuzaid, S Bloomer, P Shelton, R Cheng
Disasters cause a considerable amount ofdamage, affecting the population, structureand economy of many countries. Much ofthe physical damage is caused by thedisaster’s impact on buildings, structuresand infrastructure. The impact of constructionin disaster affected areas, therefore, issignificant. Surprisingly, there is publisheddata on this, and lessons learnt fromconstruction failures in disaster are few.
The compressed timescale of relief projectsmakes them unique. This study is concernedwith the relief materials for construction indisaster affected areas. Its key objectives areto achieve a better understanding of andfactors affecting the nature, management andoperation of the relief material. The propermanagement of relief materials is critical indisaster relief projects. Delays, suspensionsand failures of the relief project result frompoor management and ultimately affect theend-user. Evidence shows construction reliefprojects in disaster affected areas have beendelayed, suspended, or have failed due tomaterial problems. To improve relief materials’management and operation, the key factorsaffecting them must be understood, includingsupplying, expediting, receiving, warehousingand distribution of relief materials.
Poster presentationsSix of our PhD students are giving poster presentations which highlight theiroriginal contribution to knowledge.
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This study will: extend the literature aboutpost-disaster construction operations; assistgovernment departments and NGOs to beaware of the significance of the reliefmaterials for construction in social,economic, political and environmentalcircumstances; help target resources moreappropriately in post disaster constructionwork. Research methodology is based onthe research questions and literature review.Data will be gathered via a structuredquestionnaire and interviews.
A risk managementapproach to addressconstruction delays inSaudi Arabia
A Albogamy, D Scott, N Dawood
Delay in the construction industry, a globalphenomenon, is frequent and serious in theKingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), having beendescribed as a ‘cankerworm’ that has eatendeep the fabric of the KSA’s constructionindustry. The overall aim of this research is to develop a framework for minimising theimpact of delay in construction projects infive major cities in KSA. To this end, it hasbeen hypothesised that ‘Identifying andranking the current and most significantcauses of delays could help in developing a framework/model which might assist inreducing the amount of delay in constructionprojects in KSA’. In order to test the researchhypothesis, this study is divided into two parts.The first part is intended to be exploratory,being aimed at identifying and ranking themost severe and frequent causes of delaysin construction projects in KSA. Data werecollected through a questionnaire surveyamong the three groups of projectstakeholders (ie owners, consultants, andcontractors). A total of 98 valid responseshave been received and are ready forstatistical analysis. The second part of thestudy will develop a framework for minimizingthe impact of delay in construction projects in KSA.
At a later stage in the research, the proposedframework will be tested through an in-depthcase study in some ongoing and completedprojects. Such a framework/model will be thefirst of its kind in KSA and will, therefore,produce benefits by reducing the impact ofdelay.
Digital facility assetmanagement usingWeb3D technology
E Rasys, N Dawood, D Scott
Efficient digital asset management is crucialto the successful execution of projects in theoil and gas and civil engineering sectors.Current literature indicates that theinformation related to asset management isoften fragmented, not readily accessible andlacks historical detail. This leads to humanerrors, project delays and budget overruns.The aim of this research is to develop aframework and a prototype tool forintegrating data, knowledge and 3D content.This will enhance the efficiency andeffectiveness of various business processesthroughout the various stages of a facilitieslifecycle (ie planning, project developmentand handover, operations, shutdowns, etc).Current literature suggests that there aregaps in the information integration anddelivery of 3D content during the handoverand operation phases of projects.
Most of the research in web based 3D modelpresentation focuses on ‘online design’collaboration and uses technologies that arenow considered obsolete. The evaluation ofthe prototype tool developed in this researchdeployed on a ‘cloud’ infrastructureillustrated that it is much faster than a modelimplemented on a relational database. Themain advantage is the flexibility of thesystem, as data is driven by a simplified formof ontology. A flexible database schemadefinition allows incremental featureadditions and the system itself can be scaleddifferently, based on the needs of the project.
The proposed integration framework isexpected to be of value to oil and gas andheavy civil engineering companies, dealingwith large amounts of data during differentstages of the project lifecycle.
A cluster analysis ofcrime scene examinationpractice using videofootage and audio data
M Butler, T Thompson, É Bel
Studies of work have traditionally focused onobservation, post account reflectivetestimonies and interviews. Little researchexists in observing crime scene examinationfor patterns to inform practice and teaching.Similar studies in other dynamic domainssuch as fire fighting have used head-mounted camera footage from trainingprogrammes.
This study used head-mounted camerafootage from four volume crime sceneinvestigators over a seven-month period,capturing 58 crime scenes with mean time of30 minutes. Video and audio data wastranscribed and uploaded into NVivo9. Eachvideo was coded based on an earlierdevised framework. Over 1400 codingreferences were recorded; links to thesecodes were embedded as annotations forlater retrieval and organisation of themes.
Dendrograms and 3-dimensional clustermaps were produced for all four participantsand a further cluster analysis was performedshowing the combined participants. Clusterswere based on strength and frequency ofnodes being coded. Although work waspredominantly qualitative in nature, clustersfor the combined participants had Jaccard'scoefficients between 0.52 and 0.79respectively. This allowed some security inestablishing themes and connections of workbased practices.
The results showed that examiners do notinvest their energies in writing up theiranalysis or evaluations of the examinationduring their visual examination of the crimescene or property, despite these nodeshaving a strong degree of association asrepresented in the cluster map. Furtherevidence also suggests that documentationis only apparent during the examinationwhen exhibits are being collected for storage,or further forensic work. Unsurprisingly thenode gathering information was closelylinked with the communication node.
The results have been triangulated with otherdata collection methods providing stability tothe themes generated and moreover theclustering of nodes has exposed a wayforward for educationalists to betterunderstand practice.
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