Institutional-Repository, University of Moratuwa
Welcome to the University of Moratuwa Digital Repository, which houses postgraduate theses and dissertations, research articles presented at conferences by faculties and departments, university-published journal articles and research publications authored by academic staff. This online repository stores, preserves and distributes the University's scholarly work. This service allows University members to share their research with a larger audience.
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Recent Submissions
item: Thesis-Abstract
Feasibility study on waste heat recovery from ship main engines using absorption chillers : a case study based on Hamilton and Saryu ship classes
(2024) Dikkumbura, RJ; Wijewardane, A
With the growing environmental concerns and the emission regulations already in place, as well as upcoming regulations in the future, there is a need to reduce emissions from marine vessels. Waste heat recovery is a crucial and fundamental issue in energy management related to improving energy efficiency, saving fuel, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The maritime industry is essential to the massive global movement of people and goods. Nonetheless, it is acknowledged that the maritime industry is responsible for 3% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. The engine efficiencies of the modern marine ships are in the range of 30-45%, highlighting that 70-55% of the fuel energy is discharged as waste heat to the surrounding atmosphere by the engine cooling system and the exhaust system. Most of the time, energy efficiency and the reduction of environmental pollutants have not been taken into consideration in order to achieve the cruise's reliability and safety. The scope and the use of maritime transportation are expanding rapidly around the clock. The goal of this study was to comprehend how waste heat is recovered from main engine exhaust fumes. It was observed throughout the literature research that the maritime industry has not yet adopted waste heat recovery techniques because of a number of obstacles. A few cruising ships are equipped with absorption chillers, a type of system that can handle the cooling demand on board. Therefore, by considering Hamilton class and Saryu class ships it was discovered that the heat which can be recovered from exhaust gases of these classes of ship is more than enough to cater the cooling load of respective ship class. Furthermore, it was noted that at higher RPMs, the energy collected was more than sufficient to operate the cooling plant and provide cooling for more various components In conclusion, it is recognized that the marine industry has very low energy efficiency and that not much effort has been made to date to address this issue through corrective action. Therefore, absorption cooling technology can be used to recover 4 energy from the marine sector and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as demonstrated by this thesis.
item: Thesis-Abstract
A Study of cyber security awareness level among E-banking customers in the selected districts of Sri Lanka
(2023) Sooriyakumaran, S; Gunasekara, K
In Sri Lanka, the use of E-banking is increasing rapidly after Covid-19; however, with the increased use of E-banking, cyber security threats are also increasing. Although banks take efforts to mitigate cyber security threats related to E-banking, the rate of security threats are increasing gradually around the world. Therefore, there is a need to analyze whether E-banking customers have adequate cyber security awareness to protect them from cyber threats and vulnerabilities.
The purpose of this study is to discuss the level of cyber security awareness among E-banking customers in the selected districts of Sri Lanka while identifying the factors which affect the cyber security awareness of E-banking customers and find effective ways to raise awareness and literate the E-banking customers on cyber security. The research followed a questionnaire survey method, for quantitative data-gathering purposes. A survey of 390 responses was obtained from E-banking customers in selected districts (Colombo, Jaffna and Ampara) of Sri Lanka. The non-probability sampling approach was used to accomplish the purpose of the analysis. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for the complete analysis of data.
The findings illustrate that only 45.6% of respondents have confidence in their cyber security awareness and the rest of the E-banking customers have a lack of confidence in their cyber security awareness level or complete distrust of their cyber security knowledge. To assess the factors impacting the cyber security awareness of E-banking customers, the Chi-squared test was used. The result showed that all independent variables such as Perceived risk of E-banking, IT Security literacy, Knowledge about E-banking features, Knowledge about impacts of E-banking fraud, Language Barriers and End-user Security Practices have an impact on cyber security awareness of E-banking customers. The researcher provides recommendations to the banks for educating E-banking customers on cyber security.
item: Thesis-Abstract
An Analytical model for task duration prediction for software development projects
(2023) Karunarathna, RMBP; Ambegoda, T
Project risk assessment is a critical component of project management, playing a pivotal role in ensuring the success of software development projects. Effective project management practices are instrumental in achieving favourable project outcomes. Therefore, meticulous handling of project risks throughout the project lifecycle is imperative. In the context of software development projects, inaccurate estimation of project deadlines poses significant risks and challenges that can impede project success. Accurate estimation of task durations is essential for resource allocation, timely project delivery, and overall success. However, estimating task durations based on historical data from project management platforms presents challenges. Inaccurate estimations can lead to delays, resource misallocation, and inefficiencies. This research aims to address the challenge of task duration estimation in software development projects by developing a data-driven approach. Leveraging historical data from project management platforms and utilising machine learning (ML) techniques, the study seeks to determine task durations accurately. Statistical techniques, descriptive statistics, text analysis, and forecasting algorithms are used for data analysis. The research aims to enhance decision-making, optimise resource allocation, and improve project performance. The driving force behind this research is the need for accurate task duration estimates in dynamic software development projects. Project management platforms provide access to extensive historical data, enabling more accurate estimations. A qualitative research approach is employed, guided by literature findings and semi-structured interviews. Data is collected from publicly available datasets, focusing on the Jira public dataset. ML techniques are applied to develop predictive models for accurate task duration estimation. The outcomes provide insights and techniques for software project managers, enabling informed decisions, resource optimization, and improved performance. The research advances project management practices by offering solutions to the challenges of task duration estimation. Future research can explore additional variables, refine models, and validate findings in different project contexts for enhanced generalizability and applicability.
item: Conference-Full-text
Engineering Weft-Knitted Spacer Structures for Enhanced Wicking in Menstrual Underwear
(Department of Textile and Apparel Engineering, 2024) Senadeera, D.; Nethmini, T.; Nandasiri, G.K.; Nandasiri, G.K.; Jayawardena, T.S.S.; Madhurangi, C.; Abeysundara, S.; Maheshi, I.
Reusable menstrual underwear is an undergarment that is
designed to absorb and hold blood during the menstrual cycle.
They are usually made with multiple layers consisting of
wicking and absorbing fabrics, including an additional barrier
layer for leak-proofing [1]. In published literature [2], the
function of the skin-contact or wicking layer is to promptly
wick and transfer the fluids into the subsequent absorbent
layers. Additionally, consumer reviews of existing reusable
menstrual underwear emphasized the need to minimize the
spread of fluid and prevent rewetting of the skin contact
surface [3].
Wicking can be defined as the natural flow of liquid
through a porous material that is triggered by capillary
pressure. Contact angle and capillary radius play a significant
role in determining the vertical, horizontal, and transverse
wicking. When the contact angle and capillary radius are
lower, capillary pressure becomes greater. Furthermore, when
the contact angle is lower while the capillary radius is higher,
the horizontal spread of the liquid becomes higher. Thus, how
the moisture spreads and travels within a porous material can
be engineered by controlling the above two parameters [4].
Higher net capillary pressure through the fabric ensures oneway
fluid transfer. Simultaneously, higher horizontal spread
in the outer surface compared to the inner surface can be
achieved by making that surface more hydrophilic while
lowering its capillary radius [5].
Only a few published studies were present on reusable
menstrual underwear, especially with a focus on design and
development [1]. Additionally, most of the research [2] and
patents [6] did not disclose the technical specifications of the
wicking layers. Moreover, no publications were available on
wicking fabrics designed specifically for menstrual fluid
transfer without the use of zonal or engineered finishes.
Several studies have focused on wicking fabrics that
focused on achieving unidirectional liquid transfer and
increased horizontal diffusion for sweat management
applications, which could potentially be adapted for menstrual
underwear products. Those studies investigated three-thread
fleece fabrics [8, 9] and plated weft-knitted fabrics [9, 10] that
had layered structures. The skin-contact surfaces of those
fabrics had less hydrophilic yarns with lower yarn counts and
higher filament counts compared to their outermost surfaces
to achieve the above-mentioned properties.
Weft-knitted spacer fabric structures could also satisfy that
requirement by incorporating yarns with different hydrophilicity, as well as yarn and fiber counts to the face,
back, and spacer yarns. Spacer fabrics also possess the
advantages of low area density, low bulk density, freedom of
thickness modifications, layered structure capability, and
design flexibility [12 - 14]. However, the use of spacer fabrics
with the above-mentioned principles for enhanced wicking
function has not been explored in any of the published
literature. Therefore, the present study aims to address the
knowledge gap in that area.
In this study, fifteen weft-knitted spacer fabrics were
developed following the aforementioned yarn and fiber
requirements. The unidirectional liquid transfer and horizontal
wicking performance of their outermost surfaces were
evaluated to determine their suitability as the wicking layer in
menstrual underwear.
item: Thesis-Abstract
The Moderating effect of information technology controls on corporate governance in fraud detection and prevention ; evidence from Sri Lanka
(2023) Rajapaksha, RAS; Rathnayake, S
This study examines the moderating impact of information technology (IT) controls on corporate governance in the context of fraud detection and prevention. The primary objective is to investigate the relationship between corporate governance and fraud occurrence, with information technology controls acting as a moderating variable. The target population consists of accountants, internal auditors, and external auditors. Data was collected through a questionnaire administered to the selected participants. The findings indicate a strong positive association between corporate governance and the incidence of fraud, suggesting that inadequate governance mechanisms can contribute to fraudulent activities within organizations. However, the study also reveals that information technology controls play a significant moderating role in this relationship. The results underscore the importance of effective corporate governance practices in deterring and identifying fraudulent behavior. Furthermore, the findings highlight the crucial role of IT controls in enhancing corporate governance and strengthening fraud prevention and detection efforts. Implementing robust IT controls can help organizations mitigate the risks associated with fraud by providing a secure and reliable information environment. The implications of this research extend to practitioners, policymakers, and researchers alike. Organizations should prioritize implementing and maintaining appropriate IT controls, aligning them with established corporate governance frameworks. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by shedding light on the relationship between corporate governance, IT controls, and fraud prevention. Further exploration in this area is recommended to gain a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms involved and to develop effective strategies to combat fraud in the digital era.