This course is designed to expose students with an investigative research-based project to solve engineering issue(s)/problem(s). Students are required to identify problems, develop techniques for information gathering, conduct literature review and select appropriate methodology. Students are assessed by a written and oral presentation at the end of the semester.

CO1 :- Ability to integrate comprehensively the needs and the insights of research works conducted.
CO2 :- Ability to investigate and conduct research literature of complex engineering problems with selected knowledge in the research literature of the discipline.
CO3 :- Ability to propose and develop design solutions or methodology for complex engineering problems that meet specified needs with appropriate consideration including design of experiments, modeling or simulation.
CO4 :- Ability to perform effective presentation on complex engineering activities undertaken.
CO5 :- Ability to demonstrate and apply engineering management principles by managing research project.

This course is designed to expose students with an investigative research-based project to solve engineering issue(s)/problem(s). Students are required to identify problems, develop techniques for information gathering, conduct literature review and select appropriate methodology. In addition, students are required to deliver individual analysis and judgement, utilize appropriate modern technology/tools in conducting the research and assessed independently. At the end of the semester, students will prepare a final report and deliver both written and oral.

CO1 :- Ability to integrate comprehensively the needs and the insights of research works conducted.
CO2 :- Ability to investigate and conduct research literature of complex engineering problems with selected knowledge in the research literature of the discipline.
CO3 :- Ability to propose and develop design solutions or methodology for complex engineering problems that meet specified needs with appropriate consideration including design of experiments, modeling or simulation.
CO4 :- Ability to synthesize complex engineering problems using first principles of mathematics, natural sciences or engineering sciences in order to evaluate and interpret data to provide results and conclusions with recommendations.
CO5 :- Ability to perform effective presentation on complex engineering activities undertaken.
CO6 :- Ability to demonstrate and apply engineering management principles by managing research project.

Numerical analysis of the influence of gas phase tortuosity factor in a Ni-YSZ anode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC)

Basic understanding of computer programming, and interest in fuel cell technology.

Numerical analysis of the influence of porosity in a Ni-YSZ anode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC)

Porosity is one of the microstructure characteristics of a porous medium. It gives the volume fraction of the pore toward the overall volume. For a general nickel - yttria-stabilized zirconia (Ni-YSZ) porous anode, the microstructure properties can be divided into three groups, which are the electronic phase, ionic phase, and gas phase. These properties mainly influence the mass transport of gas species to and from the reaction sites of the anode. In reality, the influence of porosity is difficult to be conducted by experimental study. Therefore, the numerical simulation study is proposed.

To be decided after the first discussion.

Basic understanding of computer programming, and interest in fuel cell technology.

Comparison of the exchange current per unit reaction site for the Ni/YSZ anode between de Boer and Bieberle models

Exchange current density is related to the electrochemical rate occurs within the reaction sites of porous electrodes for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The electrochemical reaction of SOFC depends on the reaction sites per considered volume. Therefore, it is commonly to express exchange current density as exchange current density per unit reaction site, which has function towards the concentration of reactants and products of an reaction, pre-exponent factor, and activation energy for the reaction. An accurate exchange current density enable an accurate numerical analysis for the performance of SOFC. Various researchers suggested various pre-exponent factor and activation energy based on their experimental study, which can only be conducted with the known microstructure of dense electrodes. de Boer and Bieberle models are among the famous models to express the exchange current density per reaction sites. This study aims to numerically compare the models.

To be decided after the first discussion.

Basic understanding of computer programming, and interest in fuel cell technology.

Numerical study on the effect of solid oxide fuel cell anode microstructure evolution after long-term operation toward cell performance

Solid oxide fuel cell consists of a porous anode, dense electrolyte and porous cathode. The thickness of dense electrolytes is reduced to increase the performance of the cell. An anode-supported cell has a thick porous anode layer to provide the necessary mechanical strength to the cell. Microstructure of a porous electrode of solid oxide fuel cell influencing the cell performance through charge and gas species transports. Under long-term operation, the microstructure of the commercial anode of Ni/YSZ is changed due to Ni migration and coarsening. 

To be decided after the first discussion.

Basic understanding of computer programming, and interest in fuel cell technology.

Numerical analysis of an artificial formation of SrZrO3 phase within an intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell

The combination of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrode and lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite (LSCF) cathode for an intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell requires a barrier layer of gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC) to prevent the formation of SrZrO3. Formation of SrZrO3 results in poor conductivity that leads to poor performance of an SOFC. Theoretically, the barrier layer of GDC must be thin and dense. Regardless of the available fabrication technique, it is difficult to achieve. A suitable operation temperature below 1073 K is suggested to avoid the formation of SrZrO3. Under high fuel utilization operation, it is difficult to control the cell temperature below 1073 K. This study aims to numerically simulate an SOFC with a small region of the cell with the formation of SrZrO3.

To be decided after the first discussion.

You can propose your FYP title to the course coordinator of FYP during registration of MMJ40202 FYP I. Of course, the same procedure of vetting is needed. In this case, kindly prepare a proposal to follow the below guidelines and submit it to the course coordinator.

A short sentence that specifically highlights the project. Sometimes, it is referred to as a sentence to summary the overall work in a project.

Prepare a short introduction that explains all the keywords in your title. Roughly mention what is/are the problem statement(s) of this proposed project. Note that, the problem statement is not the state of the problem that arises as you go through the project phase. But it is more likely the existing issue that encourages you to conduct the study.

2 to 3 statements that mention what is the condition that you would like to achieve or the phases within the project. It is assumed that once you have achieved all these objective statements, the previously mentioned problem statement would be minimised or solved. Kindly avoid writing your objective as "To study ...." which is hard to measure the achievement of the objective statement at the end of the project.

The boundary of your proposed project is on the condition or state that you are considered or you are not considered. If possible, try to support your scope with reasons.

Choose whether the project is numerical, experimental, or design and development.

You are always welcome to suggest me as your supervisor after having some discussion with me before submitting the proposal to your course coordinator. 

Depending on whether you either would like to appoint anyone as your co-supervisor to provide you advice or guidance during your FYP I & II. Your co-supervisor can be appointed outside of the programme, department, faculty and university as long as he or she has enough experience on the subject matter.