https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145210 Thu, 17 Sep 2026 04:31:28 GMT 2026-09-17T04:31:28Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149103 Title: An investigation of ancient glass found in Malta : raw materials, trade routes and deterioration processes Abstract: This work and its abstract are both under embargo until the restriction is lifted. Description: Ph.D.(Melit.) Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149103 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149102 Title: Fault monitoring and control for sustainable compressed air systems Abstract: This work and its abstract are both under embargo until the restriction is lifted. Description: Ph.D.(Melit.) Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149102 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148128 Title: Development of an analytical framework for robot-inclusive homes, and of an autonomous assistive robot Abstract: Robotic assistance in domestic environments is gaining importance for supporting older adults and people with impairments. Many domestic robots depend on complex algorithms and high computational power, which raises cost and makes integration into ordinary homes difficult. At the same time, most homes are not arranged to help robots see, reach, or move well. This research addresses that mismatch by treating the person, the robot, and the home as one measurable system, and by showing that a simple robot can deliver useful assistance in a space designed to support it. The research develops a Robot-Inclusive Space framework that formalises design and evaluation across four linked measures. Human Impairment Index evaluation and task demand set an explicit upper bound on robot capability through the Robot Complexity Index. The Robot Inclusive Space Index quantifies how layout choices support observability, accessibility, and manipulability. The Space Convertibility Index estimates the effort to reach a target layout under practical limits of cost, effort, and time. The study follows a structured RIS workflow: impairments are evaluated and translated into remaining capacities, mapped to task demands, and used to identify the minimum robot features required. RIS home modifications are then defined to support both robot operation and human needs, and their feasibility is assessed in terms of cost, effort, and time. Using a teleoperated baseline, MARIS-I, the study motivates MARISII, a semi-autonomous platform sized for small homes that combines lightweight mapping, marker-aided localisation, goal-biased curvature-bounded planning, and suitable sensor placement with simple task stations consistent with the framework. Validation in physical layouts designed according to Robot-Inclusive Space principles uses consistent hardware and repeatable trials to assess reliability and efficiency. Clear sightlines, uncluttered paths, structured object placement, and marker cues keep mapping and planning lightweight and support pick and place within defined zones. Across experiments, RIS-guided design reduces planning latency, turn counts, and processor load while maintaining path quality, enabling MARIS-II to operate more reliably with lower computation. Overall, the results show that measurable improvements in observability, accessibility and manipulability reduce the need for robot-side complexity and help identify the smallest set of feasible home changes, within realistic cost, effort and time limits, for compact single-floor homes. Description: Ph.D.(Melit.) Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148128 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146877 Title: Developing an immersive learning environment for engineering education and re-skilling, using metaverse technologies Abstract: Industry 4.0 and 5.0 demand engineers with higher-order competencies, that can be difficult to cultivate through traditional lecture-based instruction alone. Immersive technologies offer potential solutions, yet existing research has focused on single-user applications, leaving collaborative metaverse affordances relatively underexplored. The absence of structured frameworks for developing metaverse educational environments further hinders adoption. This thesis investigates metaverse-based learning environments for educational outcomes within manufacturing. The research addresses three gaps: the lack of structured frameworks, the limited exploration of how immersive technologies can support learning of complex interdependent concepts, and the underutilisation of multi-user collaborative affordances. The MITE (Metaverse Immersive Training Environment) framework was developed, integrating Design Thinking with educational models including TPACK, Constructive Alignment, and the 5E instructional model. The framework was validated through a proof-of-concept prototype targeting Quality Assurance and Process Layout Optimisation. These topics exemplify the interconnected nature of modern manufacturing yet are typically taught in isolation. The prototype integrates both disciplines within a collaborative virtual manufacturing environment, enabling realtime collaboration with complex scenarios. A comparative evaluation study compared Learning Outcomes (LOs) between those receiving the metaverse experience and traditional instruction alone. Results indicated that the metaverse group outperformed the traditional group across all measures: mean knowledge scores of 44.69 compared to 41.04 out of 60, greater confidence gains, and completion rates of 84% compared to 63%. The effect size of 0.44 exceeds the average effect of educational interventions, representing a practically significant improvement in LOs and engagement. This research contributes a replicable framework for developing metaverse-based learning environments, empirical evidence supporting immersive collaborative learning for complex engineering topics, and demonstrates the value of multi-user metaverse over single-user VR in developing teamwork and systems thinking competencies demanded by Industry 4.0 and 5.0. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146877 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z