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Research & Development Interests and Projects

Adaptive Multimedia Presentation over Public Internet

The project aims to identify and compare available programming languages used for the development of synchronized multimedia presentations over TCP/IP. Issues considered in this project include bandwidth management, CPU usage and adaptation of the quality of files delivered with available bandwidth.

Development of Flexible & Smart Campus
(Virtual Campuses for Continuing Studies, Corporate Training and Tertiary Education)

The project investigates Internet/Web-based solutions to problems of quality as well as increasing demand for higher education. This involves design, development and implementation of new educational possibilities based on emerging educational technologies. It is intended to develop a "smart university" setup in which university academic, administrative and management activities are centered around a technology rich environment.

Internet-Embedded Systems

This project uses a number of Internet embedded devices, including TINI Java-powered board, and Bluetooth and iButton technologies to remote monitoring systems, online identification of processes and real-time control of industrial processes. Development of interfaces for controller's Input/Output and related wire and wireless sensing devices constitute a main task in this project.

Smart Agents using XML Technology

The project aims to develop a simple agent that interprets incoming data intelligently, and responds to it accordingly. If the data sent to an agent is structured with XML (Extensible Markup Language), it is much easier for the agent to understand exactly what the data means and how it relates to other pieces of data it may already know.

It is envisaged that such a smart agent finds its way in many inventory control systems, knowledge based systems and search engines. In some application available data are to be converted to XML, and hence the task of HTML to XML transformation is a relevant application in this topic. A possible application is envisaged for such a smart agent is

Apple Quicktime Streaming Technology in Educational Settings

This project deals with some fundamental development using QuickTime/Darwin Streaming Server on Mac OS X Server both for HTTP streaming and RTP/RTSP streaming. The main focus will be given to the development, implementation and evaluation of a sample multimedia module built upon Synchronised Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL). The use of Apple QuickTime streaming technology in educational settings requires detailed considerations on authoring streaming media presentation in a bandwidth constrained environment. This project utilizes the EDTLab's existing Real Network/UNIX related expertise for the development of the proposed sample module using QuickTime/Darwin Streaming Server on Mac OS X.

Real Networks was the driving force behind SMIL 1.0, which is now a W3C standard. This project also focuses on translation of proprietary extensions of Real Network technology, used in available educational modules, to Apple QuickTime. Other relevant issues will be investigated in this project include the Apple's QuickTime with SMIL 1.0 support and Real Network's licensing Apple's QuickTime streaming format.

Applied Engineering Education Technology:
Development of Computational Hypermedia Environments

This project aims to design and implement a new engineering education working model using the Web technology in conjunction with educational computer simulation programs. The target engineering education working model makes the most of educational computer simulation programs, computer-aided support modules, and data acquisition software. It is expected that the outcomes of this research and development project be transferable to system- level education in engineering and science disciplines.

This project also will explore new and emerging tools and methods in computational hypermedia environments applied to engineering education. Topics of interest in this investigation include; application of Java language and applets so that interactive features are incorporated into the conventional hypermedia environment, use of Shockwave platform that allows users to view and interact with computer-aided learning modules on the Web, and development and/or adaptation of plug-ins programs to extend the capabilities of the Web browser in handling educational computer simulation programs.

Web/Internet Enabled Power Quality and Energy Monitoring System

The aim of this project is to set up a prototype Internet/Web system which would permit remote monitoring and recording of energy consumption and power quality survey results of domestic, commercial and industrial facilities. The prototype will provide data visualization, database management, energy usage, and power quality analysis tools. Such a setup would be used by electric energy suppliers and customers to monitor the quality, quantity and price of electric energy supplied or consumed.

Power Quality Knowledge Base

This project aims to set up a database system hosting interrelated data on Power Quality problems, solutions and standards. The system would eventually operate on an existing Power Quality Clearinghouse (WinNT and/or UNIX servers). The proposed system provides dynamic and secure server and client side interactions during data extraction, data manipulation and system maintenance. In a broad term, the project has the following thrusts:
  • exploration of available relational database management system (RDBMS); their applications and limitations (Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, DB2, etc.),
  • implementation of a web-based database management system that allows user friendly integrations in query, data extraction, correlation, and display/reporting using available IBM VisualAge for Java(a widely used integrated development environment) and IBM-DB2 database package, and
  • establishing a server and a client front-end system along with customizing the database so that it supports updating by remote authorized users through a Web interface.
The findings of this project will be use to implement a fully operational dynamic Web-based environment allowing correlation between database entries on electric power quality problems and possible corrective technologies. This correlation will satisfy entries of available power quality standards for a given problem-solution combination.

Web Enabled Spot Price Forecasting in Energy Market using Neural Networks

The aim of this project is to develop a neural network (NN) based short-term load and energy market spot price forecasting method adopted for the State of New South Wales, Australia. The electric power industry is required, more than ever, to drive improved productive efficiency. The introduction of wholesales Electricity Exchange (ELEX) market by State Power Utility further boosted the need for an accurate, reliable, and fast forecasting method to be used by the generation, gird operation, and bulk users.

The initial results indicated neural networks are well capable of performing short-term load forecasting, especially where the conventional methods are inadequate, mainly due to the bad or incomplete input data. Other issues in this project include machine learning investigation with particular reference to electric power systems and interface procedures.

Dynamic Web Environments in Industrial Settings

This project hosts a series of research and development undertakings aiming towards the provision of an environment where state-of-art Web related technologies are incorporated into dynamic and interactive processes for industrial applications. Current projects include:
  • Web-based Electric Power Quality database using Structured Query Language (Power Quality Problems, Solutions and Standards).
  • Web-based Customer Electric Energy Management System.
  • Internet Based Power Quality and Load Profile Monitoring and Processing System.

Dynamic Web Environments in Educational Settings

This project hosts a series of research and development undertakings aiming towards the provision of an environment where state-of-art Web related technologies are incorporated into dynamic and interactive processes for educational applications. Current and completed projects include Multimedia files delivery over TCP/IP networks and Interactive and dynamic Web-based systems to supplement WebCT (Web Course Tools) and real-time streaming technologies (Virtual Classrooms and Class Cast Technologies). Projects have already started include
  • a fully automated dynamic Web interface to collect information, to process it and to deliver results in graphical mode, supplemented by statistical information. Such a system would be used for students online assessment, survey, assignment submission and so forth.
  • Development of API (Application Development Interface) routines and protocols which will allow external programs access to the WebCT database for the purpose of interfacing with other authentication systems.
  • Feasibility studies on total-Web students' services to supplement student management, student administration and multimedia courseware delivery.

Australian Power/Energy Clearinghouse

Harmonics represent a growing problem for both electric utilities and their consumers mainly as the use of complex energy improving technologies in domestic and commercial loads increases. A World Wide Web site has been set up in conjunction with a newly established Power Quality Research Centre aiming to bring information to universities, to the electricity supply industry, and to the wider community about the significance of quality of electricity supply and its major role in achieving a reliable and distortion free supply system.

The project has the following main thrusts;

  1. Infrastructure design of Australian Power Quality database and standards. This includes the development of an interactive multimedia based power quality educational module where PQ problems and solutions are discussed and correlated in the light of available PQ standards.
  2. Design and development of a prototype power quality monitoring system that permits data collections and analysis of commercial and industrial loads via the Internet, and
  3. Design and implementation of a "Web-based Customers Energy Information System" that not only offers on-line information about the energy usage but also intends to educate customers on issues related to power quality and energy efficiency.

Other Projects (Prior to 1995)

  • ELECTRIC ARC FURNACE ANALYSIS USING ATP-EMTP MODELS
  • POWER QUALITY PLANNING
  • POWER SYSTEMS HARMONIC CHARACTERIZATION/IDENTIFICATION FOR DOMESTIC and COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS
  • ENERGY AND POLLUTION BALANCE SHEET FOR HYBRID TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGY IN URBAN NSW ENVIRONMENT
  • HYBRID NEURAL-FUZZY LOGIC APPLICATION TO ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEMS
  • THE ATP-EMTP REALIZATION FOR DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF POWER UTILITY RELATED POWER ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
  • SMALL AC MOTOR DRIVE WITH HIGH SPEED SWITCHING
  • HIGH FREQUENCY, HIGH POWER, AND LOW DISTORTION THREE-PHASE SWITCHING DESIGN FOR CONVERTERS
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