Vol. 21 No. 4 (2024): Volume 21, Issue 4, December 2024

This issue presents a diverse advancement in technology, materials science, and sustainability. Some of the papers explore novel approaches to energy efficiency and optimisation, including a particle swarm-optimized adaptive PID controller for precise DC motor control and a protocol improving battery efficiency in LoRa-based wireless sensor networks. Another study focused on high-voltage crosslinked polyethylene cables which provide insights into partial discharge behaviour and predictive maintenance, while research on an Aluminium-Zinc alloy study highlights how process parameters like pouring height influence material properties. The issue also presents a study on robotics demonstrating how a Hector SLAM outperforms Gmapping in navigating slippery surfaces in order to achieve optimal performance in challenging environments. Sustainability and material innovations are also featured with some studies focusing on using CoNiFe coatings to enhance mild steel’s corrosion resistance and mechanical properties, while silver-doped ZnO nanoparticles were demonstrated for their potential in optoelectronics and environmental applications. You will also learn in this issue on how biodegradable food packaging film combines quaternized starch and polyvinyl alcohol for improved mechanical strength and water resistance. Furthermore, biodiesel production from waste ram fat utilised kaolinite clay and eggshell-derived catalyst to achieve high yields. These studies collectively address pressing global challenges in technology, energy, and environmental management.