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Sharing and exchanging information between project participants are basic requirements for developing construction plans. An isolated construction planning knowledge‐based system is no more useful and beneficial than any another ‘island of automation’ unless the integration with other construction applications are addressed. This paper proposes conceptual data and process models for a construction planning system, CONPLAN (Intelligent CONstruction PLANning), which works within a fully Integrated Construction Environment (ICE). An object oriented methodology (James Martin) has been used to establish generic construction models within which other construction applications can be integrated. This paper also introduces briefly the modularized approach that has been adopted to integrate the various construction applications over the project life cycle.

Problems of Malaysian construction industry have often been associated, in part to incompetent construction manager (CM) when managing the construction projects. Although various education and training provisions have been introduced, critics argue that the provisions have not been effective. Central in the debate on the adequacy of the CM education and training offered is the answer to the question of “what constitutes the technical competency of the CM?” The purpose of this paper is to present the study that identifies the technical competencies required by the CM to address the question.

Multi-layered thematic analysis of literature was first carried out to identify the technical competency elements. Then, interviews were undertaken to confirm the elements of competencies. It was followed with questionnaire surveys to test the validity of the technical competencies against different contractors’ category and grade/size.

The findings suggest that the technical competencies of CM are generic, regardless of the size of construction organisation or the types of projects they undertake. A total of 16 CM technical competencies were identified which include the ability to manage: staff, materials, labour, plant, sub-contractors, safety, money, quality, time, environment, site administration, pre-construction activities, project closeout and handover, third parties, computer literacy, and construction contract.

The findings suggest that generic education and training is possible to develop technically competent CM. It also provides insights to the CM technical competencies which the industry is expecting.

The aims of this paper is to study the effects of the V/III ratio of indium gallium nitride (InGaN) quantum wells (QWs) on the structural, optical and electrical properties of near-ultraviolet light-emitting diode (NUV-LED).

InGaN-based NUV-LED is successfully grown on the c-plane patterned sapphire substrate at atmospheric pressure using metal organic chemical vapor deposition.

The indium composition and thickness of InGaN QWs increased as the V/III ratio increased from 20871 to 11824, according to high-resolution X-ray diffraction. The V/III ratio was also found to have an important effect on the surface morphology of the InGaN QWs and thus the surface morphology of the subsequent layers. Apart from that, the electroluminescence measurement revealed that the V/III ratio had a major impact on the light output power (LOP) and the emission peak wavelength of the NUV-LED. The LOP increased by up to 53% at 100 mA, and the emission peak wavelength of the NUV-LED changed to a longer wavelength as the V/III ratio decreased from 20871 to 11824.

This study discovered a relation between the V/III ratio and the properties of QWs, which resulted in the LOP enhancement of the NUV-LED. High TMIn flow rates, which produced a low V/III ratio, contribute to the increased LOP of NUV-LED.

The purpose of this paper is to enhance the efficiency of the LED by introducing three-step magnesium (Mg) doping profile. Attention was paid to the effects of the Mg doping concentration of the first p-GaN layer (i.e. layer close to the active region). Attention was paid to the effects of the Mg doping concentration of the first p-GaN layer (i.e. layer close to the active region).

Indium gallium nitride (InGaN)–based light-emitting diode (LED) was grown on a 4-inch c-plane patterned sapphire substrate using metal organic chemical vapor deposition. The Cp₂Mg flow rates for the second and third p-GaN layers were set at 50 sccm and 325 sccm, respectively. For the first p-GaN layer, the Cp₂Mg flow rate varied from 150 sccm to 300 sccm to achieve different Mg dopant concentrations.

The full width at half maximum (FWHM) for the GaN (102) plane increases with increasing Cp₂Mg flow rate. FWHM for the sample with 150, 250 and 300 sccm Cp₂Mg flow rates was 233 arcsec, 236 arcsec and 245 arcsec, respectively. This result indicates that the edge and mixed dislocations in the p-GaN layer were increased with increasing Cp₂Mg flow rate. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) results reveal that the sample grown with 300 sccm exhibits the highest surface roughness, followed by 150 sccm and 250 sccm. The surface roughness of these samples is 2.40 nm, 2.12 nm and 2.08 nm, respectively. Simultaneously, the photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of the 250 sccm sample shows the highest band edge intensity over the yellow band ratio compared to that of other samples. The light output power measurements found that the sample with 250 sccm exhibits high output power because of sufficient hole injection toward the active region.

Through this study, the three steps of the Mg profile on the p-GaN layer were proposed to show high-efficiency InGaN-based LED. The optimal Mg concentration was studied on the first p-GaN layer (i.e. layer close to active region) to improve the LED performance by varying the Cp₂Mg flow rate. This finding was in line with the result of PL and AFM results when the samples with 250 sccm have the highest Mg acceptor and good surface quality of the p-GaN layer. It can be deduced that the first p-GaN layer doping has a significant effect on the crystalline quality, surface roughness and light emission properties of the LED epi structure.

The purpose of this paper is to synthesize Si (porous silicon (PS)) by laser‐induced etching (LIE) technique. The LIE process has the added advantage of a controlling size and optical properties without using of electrodes. The LIE process is a promising technique for fabricating many optoelectronic devices including: light‐emitting devices, detectors, sensors and large‐scale integrated circuits.

PS has been fabricated by LIE technique. Surface morphology and structural properties of nanostructures are characterized by using scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Photoluminescence (PL) measurement is also performed at room temperature by using He‐Cd laser (λ=325 nm) and Raman scattering has been investigated using Ar⁺ laser (λ=514 nm).

Surface morphology indicated that chemical reaction has been initiated with laser power density of 12 W/cm², resulting in irregular structure. Micro‐columns are structured on surface with laser power density of 25 W/cm². The pores structures are confined to smaller size, and the walls between the pore become extremely thin and shorter at 64 W/cm² power density and 120 min irradiation time. PL spectra at room temperature for PS prepared at power density of 64 W/cm² and irradiation time of 120 min shows the blue shift of PL at 400 nm and the full‐width and half maximum is about 60 nm. The broadening of the band gap energy occurs with a decrease of the crystallite size. The average diameter of nanosize Si crystallites is about 6‐10 nm. XRD indicated that the broadening in spectrum is due to the small size crystallites.

LIE processes have been used to produce high‐luminescent nanocrystallites with small size and size distribution, which is due to the quantum confinement effect.

The purpose of this paper is to describe how fabricate solar cell based‐on porous silicon (PS) prepared by electrochemical etching process is fabricated and the effect of porosity layer on the solar cell performance is investigated.

The techniques used include SiO₂ thermal oxidation, ZnO/TiO₂ sputtering deposition and PS prepared by electrochemical etching. Surface morphology and structural properties of porous Si were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy. Photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy measurements were also performed at room temperature. Current‐voltage measurements of the fabricated solar cell were taken under 80 mW/cm² illumination conditions. Optical reflectance was obtained by using optical reflectometer (Filmetrics‐F20).

Pore diameter and microstructure are dependent on anodization condition such as HF: ethanol concentration, duration time, temperature, and current density. On other hand, a much more homogeneous and uniform distribution of pores is obtained when compared with other wafer prepared with different electrolyte composition.

PS is found to be an excellent anti‐reflection coating against incident light when it is compared with another anti‐reflection coating and exhibits good light‐trapping of a wide wavelength spectrum which produce high efficiency solar cells (11.23 per cent).

The purpose of this paper is to propose a simple physical evaporation route in which catalyst‐free zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoscrewdrivers were deposited on silicon (Si) (111) substrates.

Prior to the deposition, the Si (111) wafer was cut into pieces of 2×2 cm². Then, the wafers were dipped for 1 min into mixture buffered oxide etchant to remove native oxide. Then, the samples were rinsed in an ultrasonic bath cleaned with boiling acetone, ethanol, and de‐ionized (DI) water for 10 min. Lastly, the wafers were rinsed in 25 ml DI water in stirred and then were blown dry with nitrogen. In this technique, the starting material is high‐purity metallic zinc (Zn) powder (99.99 per cent pure). Following, the Zn films were then annealed under air environment in the furnace at 500°C for 1 h deprived of any catalysts.

These ZnO samples were studied by scanning electron microscopy, high‐resolution X‐ray diffraction (HR‐XRD), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Atomic force microscope (AFM) images were applied to ascertain surface morphology of produced ZnO nanoscrewdrivers. XRD pattern confirmed that the ZnO nanoscrewdrivers were of polycrystalline structure in universe with a hexagonal close packed type and c‐axis is perpendicular to the substrate. The peak at 34° correspond to the reflection planes of ZnO(002) crystallographic plane is perceived. The AFM surface images disclosed that the surfaces of produced ZnO thin films are not smooth. The PL spectrum of as‐synthesized nanoscrewdrivers shows a UV emission peak at 380 nm and a broad green emission peak at 500 nm.

The paper reports on a simple physical evaporation route, ZnO nanoscrewdrivers were synthesized via the thermal evaporation of the high‐purity Zn powders and annealed at 500°C under air atmosphere without introducing any hetero‐metal catalysts or other carrier gases approach.

Sustainable development goal 2 (SDG2) is about creating a world free of hunger by 2030. Southern Africa faces a myriad of challenges affecting food and nutrition security, from population expansion, old and emerging pandemics, increased frequency of climate-induced natural disasters, ageing infrastructure, and challenging service delivery. The increased shocks and hazards and inadequate social safety nets have changed the dimensions of food and nutrition insecurity, giving rise to new roles for higher and tertiary education. Higher education (HE) institutions are expected to play a more active role in capacity building and producing goods and services that can contribute to the achievement of SDG2. This chapter assesses the role of HE towards the attainment of SDG2 which seeks to eliminate hunger and all forms of malnutrition. The chapter will highlight an insect-based value chain project as an example of HE contribution to reducing food insecurity. Through the case study, the chapter will explore the role of HE in community engagement, human capital development, and conducting research that informs policy and programming decisions. Furthermore, the chapter explores the role of North–South Collaborative research, interdisciplinary collaborations, and innovation hubs in developing innovations that can transform food systems and help build resilience in the face of the increasing climate and health shocks. Within these spaces, the contribution of HE to the achievement of food and nutrition security in Africa can be realised, and this approach replicated in other African institutions seeking to engage in such work.