Editorial

Citation

Haupt, T.C. (2009), "Editorial", Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Vol. 7 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/jedt.2009.34307caa.001

Editorial

Article Type: Editorial From: Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Volume 7, Issue 3

This final issue of Volume 7 includes papers that address the role of project management firms in sustainable development in rural areas, perceptions of clients about construction project leaders, distributed wireless sensor networks, causes of postgraduate attrition, alternative energy sources and power generation techniques, and grain size on nanostructured copper alloy.

The paper of Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman and Neil Sirbadhoo investigates in the South African rural area context, the role of project management firms. They argue that government initiatives to address rural area development have failed despite the promulgation of various legislation. They proffer as a possible intervention partnerships with private sector project management firms that utilize their knowledge and unique management skills to bring about sustainable development. Their approach brings about a link through a public-private partnership in an innovative fiscal and regulatory framework.

The purpose of the paper of G.I. Idoro is to promote the optimum involvement of construction project leaders in the efforts by Nigerian banks to revitalize their operations. The recent consolidation exercise of the Central Bank of Nigeria reduced the number of banks requiring the erection of new buildings for banks. The success of the projects could be enhanced if the knowledge and skills of project leaders were recognized and optimally used. These should arguably be construction project managers rather than other disciplines.

The paper by Bokang Patrick Motjolopane and Robert van Zyl examines the challenge of recharging or replacing depleted batteries in distributed wireless sensor networks (DWSNs). A 16-element equiangular spiral rectenna is suggested as a solution to supply indoor DWSNs. The intention is to harvest ambient microwave energy in real-life scenarios to enable long periods of operation of DWNSs without human intervention in the power management process.

J.K. Ssegawa and P.D. Rwelamila argue that there is a lack of hands-on skills in the research process by student researchers especially in the research definition and design phases. Further, the research proposal is promoted as a plan that is subject to change over the life of the research project. However, it should be the primary reference document when analyzing each and every stage of the post-proposal phase of the research project. The authors offer solutions to typical problems encountered by both supervisors and students during the research process.

Given the increasing importance of finding alternative sources of energy and power generation for long-term space missions, the paper by Sanjay Jayaram discusses the development of the design methodology for the housing of bio fuel cells in a payload tank. He argues that a dimensionally optimized housing structure that maintains the necessary temperature and pressure for ensuring the survival of the biological fuel cell.

The final paper by K.O Sanusi and G.J. Oliver describes the effects of grain size on the mechanical properties of nanostructured copper alloy using severe plastic deformation (SPD) process. The study found potential in the increase in hardness after a number of passages. Further, the more passages, the smaller the grain size is likely to be. They propose that this deformation technique offers solutions to the problem of using light metals by increasing their strength.

Special thanks to each of the contributing authors and reviewers for their contributions to the papers in this particular issue.

Theo C. Haupt