The apparel sector is a major driver of employment in Sri Lanka, with women making up a substantial share of the workforce. Despite this significant representation, a persistent gender gap remains in terms of equal opportunities and access to resources within industry. This study explores whether the Sri Lankan apparel sector provides equitable treatment to …

Challenges and Opportunities in Achieving Gender Equality in Apparel Sector in Sri LankaRead More

This study investigates the structural characteristics and temporal variability of Iraq’s crude oil export system during the first quarter of 2025, with particular emphasis on its exposure to geopolitical disruptions. Using descriptive statistical analysis and graphical modeling, the study identifies patterns of fluctuation, concentration, and dependency within export flows. The results indicate that total crude …

Geopolitical Vulnerability and Structural Concentration in Iraq’s Oil Export System A Statistical and Market-Based Analysis under Regional Conflict ConditionsRead More

This study evaluates the performance of lightweight mortar incorporating recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS) as a partial replacement for natural river sand. Targeting non-structural applications plastering, rendering, and masonry bedding a 25% volumetric sand replacement was investigated. The water-to-cement ratio was maintained between 0.45 and 0.50 using an OPC:sand ratio of 1:3 by volume. Results show …

Incorporation of Waste EPS in Mortar for Lightweight and Energy-Efficient ConstructionRead More

This study investigates the feasibility of using Boat Fiber Waste Powder (BFWP) as a partial replacement for fine aggregates in M30-grade concrete. BFWP, derived from discarded glass-fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) boat components, was incorporated at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% replacement levels by mass of fine aggregate. Workability (slump test, ASTM C143), 7-day and 28-day …

Performance of Concrete Incorporating Boat Fiber Waste Powder as a Partial Replacement for Fine AggregatesRead More

Expansive clayey soils present persistent engineering challenges due to their high plasticity and pronounced swelling behavior upon moisture fluctuation. Conventional stabilization methods such as lime and cement treatment are effective but entail substantial economic and environmental costs. This study investigates the viability of coal-derived bottom ash (BA), sourced from the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant in …

Effect of Coal Bottom Ash on the Plasticity and Swelling Behavior of Expansive Clayey SoilRead More

Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) have added another layer of cybersecurity issues in today’s world with more devices, more ownership, more remote locations, and increased reliance on digital communication networks. These attributes extend the attack surface of modern power systems and render traditional perimeter-control based security methods useless. In this review, the application of zero-trust security …

Zero-Trust Security for Distributed Energy Resources – A Comprehensive Review of Threats, Vulnerabilities, and CountermeasuresRead More

The escalating global production of waste tires exceeding 1.5 billion units annually presents an acute environmental challenge that demands integration with sustainable construction strategies. This study investigates the mechanical and physical performance of concrete incorporating heat-treated crumb rubber (CR) as a partial fine aggregate replacement at six substitution levels: 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, and …

Mechanical and Physical Properties of Heat-Treated Crumb Rubber Concrete at High Fine Aggregate Replacement Levels Implications for Sustainable Lightweight ConstructionRead More

The leather industry traditionally employs lime and sodium sulfide for unhairing, generating highly alkaline wastewater and significant environmental pollution. This study evaluates the potential of bromelain extracted from different parts of pineapple (Ananas comosus) crown, fruit, peel, and leaves as an eco-friendly alternative for enzymatic unhairing of cowhide, and compares its performance with the conventional …

Sustainable Enzymatic Dehairing of Cowhide Using Pineapple-Derived BromelainRead More

Construction workers are routinely exposed to airborne particulate matter (PM) generated by activities such as cutting, drilling, demolition, and excavation. In Sri Lanka, where dust management practices on construction sites are often inadequate, this exposure poses a serious but underexamined occupational health risk. This study assessed PM exposure levels and associated health effects among construction …

Particulate Matter Exposure and Health Effects Among Construction Workers in Sri LankaRead More

Weak subbase soils pose a significant challenge in road construction, particularly in tropical regions where expansive and low-bearing-capacity soils are prevalent. Conventional stabilizers such as cement and lime, while effective, are associated with high cost and substantial carbon emissions. This study investigates the combined effect of rice husk ash (RHA) and waste putty dust (WPD) …

Assessing the Effectiveness of Rice Husk Ash and Putty Waste Dust as Sustainable Additives to Enhance the Performance of Subbase Materials in Road ConstructionRead More

The construction sector is responsible for a significant share of global CO₂ emissions, primarily from Portland cement production. Rice husk ash (RHA), an agro-industrial by-product rich in amorphous silica, offers a promising pozzolanic substitute for cement. This study evaluates the mechanical and durability performance of solid masonry blocks (215 mm × 105 mm × 65 …

Performance of Solid Masonry Blocks Incorporating Rice Husk Ash Produced Under Open and Controlled Burning ConditionsRead More

Train detection is fundamental to railway signaling and safety, traditionally relying on infrastructure-heavy systems such as track circuits and axle counters. While reliable, these methods involve significant maintenance and are often limited in remote areas. This paper provides a comprehensive review of emerging vibration-based sensing techniques, which utilize accelerometers and geophones to capture distinct vibration …

Footsteps – A Review of Train Approach, Speed, Direction, and Distance Detection Methods Using VibrationsRead More

The conversion of mechanical energy from vibrations or pressure to electrical energy is called piezoelectric energy harvesting. In the context of densely populated areas like railway stations, shopping malls, airports and underground transportation systems, the piezoelectric floor tiles have become a sustainable method to harvest the energy of people walking on the floor. This technology …

Footstep Based Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting System for Emergency Power Applications – A ReviewRead More

Mechanical testing plays a critical role in the selection of materials by providing insights into their strengths and weaknesses. This paper examines the relationship between stress and strain, emphasizing fundamental concepts for analyzing material failures. While the uniaxial tensile test is the most widely used method for determining key properties such as stiffness and strength, …

Mechanical Testing of Materials Understanding Stress-Strain RelationshipsRead More

The solar power PV (solar photo-voltaic) technology has become one of the most critical renewable energy methods, to diminish the reliance on fossil fuel and to facilitate low carbon energy generation. In addition to installation capacity, other factors for large-scale PV system uptake include energy yield, conversion efficiency, operating reliability and sustainability of the PV …

Solar Photovoltaic Efficiency Enhancement A Comprehensive ReviewRead More

The depletion of conventional energy resources and mounting environmental concerns have intensified global interest in hybrid renewable energy systems. This review examines the design and integration of a low-cost, small-scale horizontal-axis wind turbine (HAWT) with a photovoltaic (PV) solar panel as a compact hybrid DC power module. A distinctive feature of the studied system is …

Design and Innovation in Small-Scale Hybrid Wind-Solar Turbines for Decentralized Energy GenerationRead More

Industrial boilers play an important role in energy and manufacturing process sectors, where proficient combustion is critical for improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental emissions. However, fixed parameter control systems are often ineffective in meeting dynamic operating conditions. This review paper presents advanced combustion control strategies with special reference to real-time analysis of flue gases. …

Advanced Control Strategies for Optimal Combustion in Industrial Boilers Using Real-TimeFlue Gas AnalysisRead More

Heavy metals remain as persistent pollutants that are harmful to the environment and can easily bioaccumulate. The occurrence of heavy metals in wastewater has become a critical environmental issue. Conventional physicochemical processes result in additional sludge, are costly, and cannot handle metals at low concentrations. A novel and environmentally friendly approach to heavy metal removal …

Synergizing Biosensing and Bioremediation A Dual Approach for Heavy Metal Pollution Control In WastewaterRead More

The textile industry is one of the most significant industries in Sri Lanka, which gives a massive economic income to the country. Dyeing is an important process in the apparel industry since it directly impacts the exports if it does not have the accurate color consistency that’s needed. Such inaccuracies in color consistency lead to …

Vision-Based and Machine Learning Approaches for Real-Time Dye Concentration Monitoring in Textile Processes A ReviewRead More

Biomass boiler systems are key renewable energy technologies used in industrial and institutional applications, but they can suffer from poor system performance because of product moisture, excess-air issues, deficiencies in excess-air control and unchecked blowdowns during performance. The design and implementation needs of an adaptive control framework for energy savings by optimizing thermal efficiency and …

Implementation of Adaptive Control Framework for Biomass Boilers to Increase Thermal EfficiencyRead More