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: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Drone based emergency supplies with prioritization of severely flood affected areas
(Engineering Research Unit, 2025) Nilakshana, M; Thibbottuwawa, A; Fernando, M
Floods are deadliest disaster among the natural disasters. Especially sudden occurrences of flood events, they can be devastating to a country or region, affecting the communities [1]. Between 2000 and 2025, floods occurred most frequently in Asia, about more than 50% of the disasters. In the Sri Lankan context, floods account the 68% of the disasters that occurred during 2000 – 2024. Since most of the populated urban spaces like Colombo are being affected by flood hazards. Kolonnawa is one of the suburbs within Colombo district which is the worst affected city due to 2016 flood. Kelani river is along the Kolonnawa DS. There are several GN divisions most affected by the 2016 flood and Wellampitiya, Kelanimulla, Gothatuwa, Udumulla North, Egoda Kolonnawa, Megoda Kolonnawa, and Singhapura are the heavily affected GN divisions during the 2016 floods [2]. The Search and Rescue (SAR) operations are crucial in disaster zones to provide emergency supplies within the shortest period. During the flood, conventional rescue and delivery options such as boats, trucks, or helicopters are not always a feasible option to do a search and rescue operation [3]. However, with emerging technologies, SAR operations can be more effective. Especially if urban areas get flooded, it’s very difficult to do the SAR operation. Boats can’t reach if any broken trees, electrical posts, or any kind of barriers restrict the way of approaching the victims. Helicopters can’t reach the victims if anyone is stuck in their houses and has no way to exit. It will increase the significant gap between the time of the disaster and the time of the rescue operation.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Enhancing the thermal conductivity of clay using iron phosphate as an additive
(Engineering Research Unit, 2025) Senadheera, RTS; Palliyaguru, L
Clay has been a close companion in human endeavor form millennia. Clay’s highly porous nature, environmentally friendly extraction, and waste-free disposal have made it a promising material in the journey towards sustainability. Clay is already being used as carbon dioxide trappers as well as green catalysts for well-known organic reactions [1]. One of clay’s most prominent applications is being used as heat transfer interfaces, in cookware, nuclear waste containers, and geothermal borehole heat exchangers, etc. [2], [3]. However, the low thermal conductivity of clay makes it a less efficient heat transfer material, which is addressed in this study by incorporating iron phosphate as an additive. Iron phosphate used in the study was obtained as a byproduct from Alpha titanium bis(hydrogenphosphate) monohydrate, α-Ti(HPO4)2•H2O, α-TiP synthesis using alkaline roasting of ilmenite [4]. This process yields a phosphoric leachate that contains iron phosphate. Thus, this study valorizes a highly acidic byproduct while improving the heat transfer capabilities of a sustainable material; thereby further aligning the objectives of the study towards sustainability.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Finger abduction and adduction prosthetic hand for power and precision grasping
(Engineering Research Unit, 2025) Gunawardhana, RAGM; Gopura, RARC; Ranaweera, RKPS
The human hand has 27 bones and 19 joints, and they are classified into three groups like carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges. There are eight carpals, five metacarpals, and fourteen phalanges. There is a tendon system to produces finger movements and grasping patterns in activities of daily living. With those systems, the human hand is a highly complex part of the human body that is difficult to replicate with an artificial device.
Hand amputation can happen due to various reasons, like war casualties, accidents, and neuromas. Losing a human hand through amputation is end up with mentally, physically, and socially devastating, significantly affecting the quality of life of the individual. Over the years, prosthetic hands have been developed to support hand amputees to come back to their normal lives. Different types of methods and mechanisms have been developed to replicate the human hand. However, maintaining the aesthetic view and anthropometry of the hand is challenging due to the size of the human hand. During the human hand replication, the finger movements and grasping patterns are very important. There are mainly two types of finger movements, flexion and extension (FL/EX) and abduction and adduction (AB/AD). Other than that, Retroposition and Opposition, and Bending and Flattening are some other finger movements. Using the above finger movements, the human hand is capable of different types of grasping patterns. Power, Precision, Lateral, and Extension grasps are the main grasping ranges. Power and Precision grasps cover 65% of the grasping patterns in Activities of Daily Living. Most of the currently available prostheses are not capable of producing individual finger AB/AD motion. Due to the lack of motion patterns, the functionality of the hand prostheses is limited. The aim was to propose an abduction and adduction mechanism to fill the gap in the prosthetic hand industry. The proposed prosthetic hand is capable of individual finger AB/AD motions and covers the special grasping patterns like Tripod, Quadpod, and Squeeze, along with other common power and precision grasping patterns. The objectives of the project are to design an under-actuated finger abduction and adduction mechanism for a prosthesis. Then, develop a suitable control system to control the prosthesis and test and validate the prosthesis using experiments
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Convolutional neural network–based automated quality grading of cinnamon peel
(Engineering Research Unit, 2025) Darshani, AA; Hewavitharana, DC; Amarasinghe, ADUS; Gamage, JR
Ceylon cinnamon, endemic to Sri Lanka, holds significant culinary, medicinal, and economic value, reinforcing the country’s position as the leading global exporter of authentic cinnamon. However, current processing techniques, particularly manual peeling and quill preparation, are highly labor dependent and introduce quality inconsistencies, limiting scalability. While national efforts increasingly promote value addition and product diversification, maintaining consistent export-grade quality remains challenging. Recent research highlights the potential of technological advancement within the cinnamon value chain, with image processing applied for maturity estimation, and diameter-based grading [1], [2]. Additionally, deep learning models, particularly Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), have demonstrated strong performance in agricultural applications such as disease diagnosis and adulteration detection [3], [4]. Visual grading of cinnamon based on peel texture, surface defects and residual bark remains subjective and inconsistent. This study addresses this gap by proposing an objective, scalable deep learning–based automated visual inspection framework.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Development and performance evaluation of paddy husk powered electricity generator
(Engineering Research Unit, 2025) Maduwanthi, AL; Nirmala, RH; Ahangama, LLH; Thilakarathne MRDP; Maduranga, VGK
Many agrarian countries, including Sri Lanka, generate substantial quantities of paddy husk, an underutilized agricultural byproduct with a thermal energy density commonly reported in the range of 12 – 15 MJ/kg[1]. This study examines the feasibility of converting paddy husk into a renewable energy source through a steam-based thermal power generation system, aiming to provide a sustainable solution for rural electrification and reduce reliance on conventional fossil fuels. The research aims to develop a sustainable electricity generation method utilizing paddy husk as feedstock, thereby presenting an economical and eco-friendly energy alternative. It emphasizes adding value to agricultural waste while establishing an independent power source for rural and off-grid communities. This study presents a new method for energy conversion through the direct combustion of paddy husk to produce steam, contrasting with complex gasification technologies that require extensive tar-cleaning and engine adjustments. The project emphasizes creating an integrated steam-turbine generator, evaluating its steam generation, turbine efficiency, and power output under practical conditions, offering a simpler and more durable alternative that can be locally manufactured.