Journal of Advances in Engineering and Technology [JAET] Volume 04 Issue i
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://rda.sliit.lk/handle/123456789/5002
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Publication Open Access Improving Post-Harvest Rice Drying Efficiency through a Low-Cost Halogen Dryer Design for Rural Communities(Faculty of Engineering, 2026-01) Sadeepa, S; Thilakarathna, RSmall-scale rice farmers in Sri Lanka often depend on traditional sun-drying methods, which are inefficient, weather-dependent, and contribute to significant post-harvest losses. This research focuses on the conceptual design and evaluation of a low-cost wet rice dryer using halogen lamps as the heat source, aimed at improving drying efficiency before milling. Field surveys were conducted to identify the common challenges faced by rural farmers, including uneven drying, weather interruptions, and grain rejection by millers due to high moisture content. Based on the survey results, key user requirements were identified, including low operating cost, simple structure, and potential for multicrop drying. Based on the survey results, key user requirements were identified, including low operating costs, a simple structure, and the potential for multi-crop drying. A conceptual design was developed accordingly, with a drying chamber and tray system optimized for 1 cm thick rice layers. The full assembly was modeled in 3D using CAD software, allowing for virtual evaluation of airflow, heat source positioning, and accessibility. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was applied to simulate the mechanical response of the tray under typical loads, confirming its structural soundness. Preliminary thermal experiments were conducted using a controlled test box setup to evaluate the heating performance of a 1000W halogen lamp. The system successfully achieved drying temperatures up to 82°C, which are suitable for surface moisture reduction. Temperature trends were recorded over time, and manual quality checks showed promising results for further development. These findings indicate the technical feasibility of the design and its potential to improve post-harvest efficiency in rural settings. The study provides a foundation for future stages of prototype fabrication, sensor integration, and field validation.Publication Open Access Mobile Applications Usage and Awareness Among Sri Lankan Small Business Owners(Faculty of Engineering, 2026-01) Vidana Pathirana Y.K.; Munasinghe B.Many Sri Lankan small business owners (SBO) today use mobile applications to manage their businesses. The relatedness of the purpose of the mobile applications that the SBO communities commonly use to the objectives and nature of their business (i.e. specifically designed for small businesses), the awareness among the SBOs in finding applications that can serve their business purposes, or their awareness of the importance of using dedicated applications for small business’ purposes is an area that has not been investigated. This paper presents the findings of a pilot study on current trends and the nature of mobile application usage among Sri Lankan small business owners to understand the level of awareness they have on choosing mobile applications tailored for small businesses, and their expectations for features in such applications . It also investigates SBO demand for integrated, SBO-specific mobile solutions. The findings show that the Sri Lankan SBO community has either not considered these facts in their mobile applications usage or has found it difficult to manage their businesses using existing mobile applications because those applications are not designed to cater to their specific needs. This paper also summarizes the nature of mobile application usage among SBOs from several perspectives, providing meaningful insights for mobile application developers about this competitive community of users.Publication Open Access Synergistic Charge Dynamics and Light Harvesting in TiO₂/MgO Composites for Efficiency Enhancement in CdS Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells(Faculty of Engineering, 2026-01) Ajward, N.F.; Fernando,J.V.P.; Perera, V.P.S.Quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) represent a promising advancement in renewable energy technologies, with recent improvements achieving power conversion efficiencies close to 6%. Structurally similar to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), QDSSCs employ quantum dots (QDs) as sensitizers that absorb photons and inject excited electrons into the conduction band of a wide-bandgap semiconductor electrode, while the redox electrolyte removes the generated holes and completes the circuit through regeneration at the counter electrode. Quantum dots composed of materials such as CdS, CdSe, PbS, and InP are increasingly studied for use in QDSSCs, offering the advantage of tunable optical band gaps through particle size manipulation. This adaptability enhances QDSSCs’ design potential, enabling the integration of third-generation solar cell configurations, including multiple exciton generation (MEG), to further improve energy conversion efficiency. Despite these advancements, QDSSC performance is currently limited by issues such as reduced photovoltage and recombination losses at the TiO₂-QD-electrolyte interface. This study investigates the effect of MgO incorporation into TiO₂ photoanodes on the photovoltaic performance of CdS QDSSCs, with particular attention to the fill factor (FF) and overall cell efficiency. MgO is expected to act as an interfacial passivation layer suppressing combination and improving charge-selective transport. In addition, MgO may enhance light scattering within the photoanode, thereby improving light harvesting and short-circuit current density. In this study, MgO powder was incorporated in specific mass ratios with TiO₂, followed by the application of CdS quantum dots (QDs) on the TiO₂/MgO composite layer using the SILAR method. Results indicated a significant improvement in the fill factor (FF) at an optimal MgO-to-TiO₂ ratio, attributed to synergistic effects of MgO on interface stabilization, reduced recombination, and enhanced charge transport. The optimized MgO-modified TiO₂ films achieved a current density of 1.95 mA cm-2, voltage of 437 mV, and power of 0.121 mW (active area = 0.49 cm²), reaching an efficiency of 0.311 % (18.7% higher than TiO₂/CdS QDSCs), with improved interfacial impedance, Incident Photon to Current Efficiency (IPCE), and FF of 0.374.Publication Open Access Machine Learning-Based Early Warning Systems for Urban Floods: A Case Study in Nilwala Basin(Faculty of Engineering, 2026-01) Abayapala A.I.; Lindamulla L.M.L.K.BThis study pioneers the integration of Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) into flood forecasting systems, extending the predictive horizon from short-term forecasts to 7 days by effectively capturing spatial dependencies between rainfall stations. Focusing on the flood-prone regions of Matara and Galle districts within the Nilwala Basin, the research addresses the limitations of conventional forecasting methods by leveraging historical hydrological data, including daily rainfall records from six key stations and flow data from Pitabeddara. A hybrid machine learning framework combining Random Forest (RF) and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) models was developed to predict river discharge using rainfall data, overcoming challenges posed by limited water level data. The inclusion of GNNs introduces a novel approach to modeling complex spatial relationships, enabling improved accuracy in long-term flood prediction, particularly during extreme events. The proposed system demonstrates significant advancements in predictive reliability, offering a timely and accurate early warning tool to enhance disaster preparedness and risk management in the Nilwala Basin. This research underscores the transformative potential of datadriven methodologies in addressing the challenges of flood-prone regions.