Recycling Polymer Blend made from Post-used Styrofoam and Polyethylene for Fuse Deposition Modelling

Styrofoam is widely used as packaging material for many applications like home furniture and electrical appliance. Styrofoam is a non-biodegradable material which its disposal causes serious environment issues. This research demonstrates an alternate recycling method of Styrofoam waste by converting it into 3D printing filament for Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM). For this research, the recycled polystyrene (rPS) was extracted from Styrofoam waste and blended with low-density polyethylene (LDPE), then extruded into filament using a filament extruder. The formulated rPS/LDPE blend with different blend ratio exhibited a good printability when the printing temperature and extrusion rate fixed at 240°C and 120%. However, the tensile strength of printed specimens with rPS/LDPE blends were lower than printed specimen with neat rPS. The tensile strength and modulus of printed specimens with rPS/LDPE were decreased due to the increase of LDPE content. The decrease of tensile strength mainly caused by the incompatibility between the rPS and LDPE phases. However, the addition of more LDPE content in the blend enhanced the ductility of rPS/LDPE blends. Furthermore, the increase of LDPE content also increased the thermal stability of rPS/LDPE blends. Overall, the rPS/LDPE blend is a potential alternate material for producing FDM filament.

Oversized Electrical Appliance Impacts on Condominium Energy Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness Management: Experts’ Perspectives

A direct use approach incorporating a cost approach assumed that replacing oversized electrical appliances with those better fit to actual energy consumption can reduce energy consumption, optimizing capacities of the new appliances to the maximum while reducing electricity costs. This study aimed to verify the assumption that the size of appliances has impacts on energy consumption and cost effectiveness. A mixed-method approach included these instruments for data elicitations (i.e., a questionnaire, data records of 485 transformers, two assessments of condominium technical caretakers, and two in-depth interviews of electrical engineering experts). The findings revealed that most condominiums installed electric appliances that are too large for their actual energy usage, which lies between 5.4% and 7.1% of the capacity. This study therefore proposed a total cost reduction of 54% by downsizing these appliances (i.e., MV Switchgear 2 sets, dry type transformer 2 sets 80,000, LV Cable 10 m. (XLPE), main distribution board, Busduct (MDB-DB), generator (20% of Tr.), and generator installation). Even though this analysis is limited to Bangkok, Thailand, this case may contribute decision-making on electrical appliance selection at early stage of investment or to downsize the currently installed appliances for the more energy efficient and cost-effective management of condominiums around the world.

Electrical Appliance Switching Controller by Brain Wave Spectrum Evaluation Using a Wireless EEG Headset

Disabled people are usually unable to interact with their surroundings efficiently, and performing tasks like switching an appliance on or off can be troublesome if the user is bedridden, for example. This article discusses an electrical appliance switching controller using a wireless EEG headset that is aimed to aid elderly people and the disabled. The system comprises of a MindLink EEG headset that is Bluetooth-connected to an Arduino microcontroller board. The system permits the user to separately switch on and off the 4 electrical devices connected to the power socket. The EEG signal is obtained to investigate the brain activity throughout the experiments done. Based on the brain wave signals read, attention and meditation are determined to be the most suitable for this project and is used to trigger the relay switching of the power socket. It is found that the response time to trigger the switching is slow as some users require practice or training to control their brain wave signals effectively. The work performed provides a rudimentary insight of a BCI system functionalities and presents a brainwave-controlled hardware switching for the bedridden or disabled patients.

Sistem Kontrol Peralatan Listrik Jarak Jauh Berbasis Arduino

The need for electrical energy is vital because electrical equipment generally uses electricity as the main energy. Electricity is energy that comes from petroleum which must be saved in its use. To save electricity usage, it is necessary to use electricity as efficiently as possible by not allowing this energy to be wasted. This paper aims to design an application for controlling electrical equipment remotely using the internet network. This tool uses Esp8266 as a link with the internet network, and uses applications on Android as a controlling media. When esp8266 is connected to the internet network and the on / off button on the android application is pressed, the ac and fan lights will turn on or off according to the button pressed. The results of testing this remote electrical appliance controller are that the tool can work properly turning on or off the lights and fans when connected to the internet without distance restrictions.

Microwave usage and cancer: Do microwaves cause cancer?

Materials containing water, for example foods, fluids or tissues, absorb microwave energy readily, which is then converted into heat. This principle is applied in microwave ovens, an electrical appliance that heats and cooks food by exposing it to electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency range. Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, the microwave oven has been a great help, as the rapid development of technology keeps consumers in the fast lane. Cancer is defined as the uncontrolled growth and spread of cells. It can affect almost any part of the body. The growths often invade surrounding tissue and can metastasize to distant sites. In this paper, we will explore the function of microwave ovens, the pathophysiology of cancer, and whether is there any evidence of a relationship between microwave ovens and cancer.

Identification of the State of Electrical Appliances with the Use of a Pulse Signal Generator

The paper presents the novel HF-GEN method for determining the characteristics of Electrical Appliance (EA) operating in the end-user environment. The method includes a measurement system that uses a pulse signal generator to improve the quality of EA identification. Its structure and the principles of operation are presented. A method for determining the characteristics of the current signals’ transients using the cross-correlation is described. Its result is the appliance signature with a set of features characterizing its state of operation. The quality of the obtained signature is evaluated in the standard classification task with the aim of identifying the particular appliance’s state based on the analysis of features by three independent algorithms. Experimental results for 15 EAs categories show the usefulness of the proposed approach.