university of malta Archives – Page 12 of 38

Sylo

Function, form, safety, and environment. SYLO is a family of hybrid cycle rickshaws that fulfils all four design pillars to deliver good performance and a smooth ride. SYLO is designed for short distances, catering to commuters and delivery services. What sets it apart from its counterparts is its mixed-propulsion technology, using both photovoltaic panels and pedal power. Adding to its ‘green’ points is the fact that recyclable plastics have been used for the body. This helped from an engineering perspective because it kept the vehicle light, allowing it to serve its function despite the difficult terrain it must operate in.

What sets it apart from its counterparts is its mixed-propulsion technology, using both photovoltaic panels and pedal power.

Form was an especially important factor in the design process. As the aim was to use this vehicle both within the historical context of the capital city, Valleta, and in cosmopolitan spaces such as Paceville and Bugibba, it was essential for the vehicle to complement its built environment, be it classical or contemporary. Towards this end, bold lines were used, making the vehicle look distinct without looking alien.

SYLO was the product of 10 mechanical engineering students supervised by academics from the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malta as part of a third-year engineering design project.

An eye on the sea

Continuous measurement and analysis of marine conditions in real time is allowing local users to better understand the short and long-term implications of the changing sea. Prof. Aldo Drago writes.

atmospheric pressure boats British Hydrographic Office Department of Geosciences faculty of science malta Maltese harbour marine systems Marsaxlokk MedGLOSS Mediterranean meteo-marine observations. Physical Oceanography Unit sea ships university of malta UoM

University Maritime Platform: Connecting Professionals

The University Maritime Platform, a dedicated space for all those interested in the sea and the work happening around it. Prof. Claire De Marco writes.

#research Claire De Marco innovation maritime maritime economy maritime industry Mediterranean sea University Maritime Platform university of malta UoM

Thinking in 3D

In 2013 two diving buddies attempted to build a watch. Less than five years later, they have created and commercialised a solution to a fundamental problem with a budding and disruptive technology. Here is the story of Thought3D, from diving deep to making waves. Words by Sam Stanfield.Continue reading

andrei linnas cebi centre for entrepreneurship and business incubation edward borg hugo pinson keith m azzopardi magigoo Start-Up startup thought 3d university of malta

Catamarans go solar

Despite their many drawbacks, fossil fuels maintain a toxic hold as the world’s primary energy source. To release ourselves, we need innovative approaches to sourcing and managing energy. At the University of Malta, researchers have designed a solar-powered catamaran that uses smart-charging and battery management to efficiently utilise renewable energy. The project aims to serve as inspiration to usher in a future of environmentally friendly vehicles. Words by Diane Cassar.

catamaran faculty of engineering industrial electric power conversion solar solar catamaran university of malta

History beneath the blue

Many would say that Malta’s rich history is evident for all to see. From Mdina to Mnajdra, much of the island’s past is present and tangible in our everyday lives. But what heritage is still hidden? Dr Timmy Gambin writes about the efforts made to bring to light the history beneath the waves.

discovery divers diving europe Fishing heritage History malta Planning authority preservation satellites SCUBA seafloor seafloor exploration seafloor heritage ships treasure underwater university of malta UoM

Paving the way for underwater explorations

Nearly two-thirds of the Earth is covered in water. Yet we know more about the surface of the moon and Mars than we do of our own ocean floor. Humans have an understandable fear of water and desire to remain safe on land. The oceans are formidable places requiring sophisticated equipment. Even more dangerous is exploring uncharted areas.

autonomous missions department of electronic systems dr ing brian zammit dr ing marc anthony azzopardi environment simulation faculty of engineering generated thrust human pilot rachel cauchi remotely operated underwater vehicles rov sea seabed underwater underwater exploration university of malta UoM

Understanding gravity to understand the universe

For a primate species clinging to a speck of dust in an incomprehensibly vast universe, curiosity has seen humans discover a great deal about how it all works. However, there are still mysteries that the cosmos is reluctant to relinquish, one of which is gravity. The most accurate theory describing gravitational attraction is general relativity, developed by Albert Einstein in 1915. Unlike Isaac Newton, Einstein did not describe gravity as a force, but rather a manifestation of the curvature of spacetime, thought of as a stretchable and squeezable fabric that is distorted by matter. However, his theory does not fully explain phenomena such as the accelerating expansion of the Universe and inconsistent orbital speeds of stars within galaxies.

dr jackson levi said einstein galaxies galaxy formation global positioning system gps gravity institute of space sciences and astronomy newton orbital speeds. gabriel farrugia orbits spacetime stars Sun teleparallalelism teleparallel gravity universe university of malta UoM

Wall-E: Ta-dah!

Think sci-fi, think robots. Whether benevolent, benign, or bloodthirsty, these artificially-intelligent automatons have long captured our imagination. However, thanks to recent advances in mechanical and programming technology, it looks like they are set to break the bonds of fiction.Continue reading

3D printing artificial intelligence automation department of AI disney Dr Claudia Borg edward cachia enroco aquilina faculty of ict gears George Camilleri James Catania malta robotics olympiad 2017 matthew tanti motion movie owen attard pixar Prof. Alexei Dingli robot robotics sci-fi servo motors university of malta wall-e

Kaptan on board

Meet the mobile app that’s making the sea safer for sailors and citizens alike.

android CALYPSO Calypso Project current Department of Geosciences faculty of science fishermen forecast iOS Italy KAPTAN malta marine mariners Physical Oceanography Group sea sea app sea map Sicily UoM university of malta water weather conditions

SYLO was the product of 10 mechanical engineering students supervised by academics from the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malta as part of a third-year engineering design project.

Continuous measurement and analysis of marine conditions in real time is allowing local users to better understand the short and long-term implications of the changing sea. Prof. Aldo Drago writes.

The University Maritime Platform, a dedicated space for all those interested in the sea and the work happening around it. Prof. Claire De Marco writes.

Many would say that Malta’s rich history is evident for all to see. From Mdina to Mnajdra, much of the island’s past is present and tangible in our everyday lives. But what heritage is still hidden? Dr Timmy Gambin writes about the efforts made to bring to light the history beneath the waves.

Meet the mobile app that’s making the sea safer for sailors and citizens alike.

SYLO was the product of 10 mechanical engineering students supervised by academics from the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malta as part of a third-year engineering design project.