university of malta Archives – Page 9 of 34

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

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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

Glider South: Exploring the sea south of Malta

To map pristine areas in the Mediterranean, CAMPE is going where no glider has gone before. Prof. Aldo Drago writes.

2D vertical maps boat CAMPE CNRS continental shelf Department of Geosciences faculty of science France GLIDER South malta Maltese Islands Mediterranean Physical Oceanography Research Group Professor Aldo Drago sea glider Sicily SLOCUM underwater topography university of malta

Sounds of silence

Tech Specs

Dimensions: 2.5m x 2.5m x 2.5m

Weight: 2 tonnes

Frequency: 800MHz – 18GHz

Price: €140,000

Everything in the world can emanate sound waves. These are invisible, consisting of vibrating particles in the air which can strike our eardrums, which lets humans hear. But what if you want to measure waves coming from a particular object?

An anechoic (echo-free) chamber is a heavy, metal enclosure with inner walls covered in foam wedges made from a radiation absorbent material. Any emitted sound or electromagnetic waves become trapped between these wedges until all their energy is completely absorbed. The chamber also eliminates all noise from exterior sources. Simply put, speak in an anechoic chamber, and you will hear the pure sound of your voice echo-free. The volume of these chambers is dictated by the size of the objects as well as the frequency of the device under investigation. They can be anywhere from the size of an old television monitor to the size of an aircraft hanger.

So what are they used for?

Testing electronic devices that radiate acoustic or electromagnetic waves and mapping out radiation patterns of antennas. It’s useful for systems such as satellites, radars, computers, missiles, and vehicles. Measurements aim to determine characteristics such as susceptibility, system sensitivity, effective radiated power, tracking ability, and comparability. The chambers can also be used to evaluate the effect of electromagnetic fields on human tissues, a type of experiment that has already been carried out in the University of Malta (UoM) anechoic chamber. Manufacturers of electronic equipment are required to conduct electromagnetic compatibility and immunity testing prior to placing a device on the market. This ensures that they won’t generate too much electromagnetic disturbance and will also be sufficiently immune from fields generated by other sources. Due to this new equipment, the UoM will be able to provide pre-compliance testing services to companies, which will prepare their devices for expensive compliance testing in certified laboratories, saving them a good sum of money.

2018 anechoic chamber geosciences physics university of malta waves

Designing the factory of the future

With consumer demand reaching new highs, automation in industry is essential. Dr Ing. Emmanuel Francalanza writes about his contribution to streamlining the complex factory design process for contemporary engineers.

From smartphones, to smartwatches, smart cars to smart houses, intelligent technology is inescapable. Busier people have made efficiency a valuable currency and thus the ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT), and its plethora of connected devices, has become a necessary part of everyday life. The application of this model goes way beyond the regular consumer, however. Continue reading

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Through the VR glass

As societies evolve and take in a greater number of distinct cultures, histories, and traditions, the ability to empathise with each other becomes vital, for all our sakes. In an effort to get as close as possible to seeing life through another’s eyes, researchers from the University of Malta are creating a virtual reality experience that allows users to step into someone else’s shoes.
Words by Dr Vanessa Camilleri.

From a young age we are often taught that if we want to understand someone else’s perspective, we must first walk a mile in their shoes. This ability to place ourselves in another’s position is what we call empathy. This component of emotional intelligence is known to increase prosocial behaviour and reduce individualistic traits, meaning that it can lead to a better quality of life where practiced, whether at home, in the workplace, or any other environment.

acceptance behaviour Department of Artificial Intelligence department of digital arts Dr Vanessa camilleri empathy faculty of ict faculty of media and knowledge sciences family foundation for shelter and support to migrants hci human-computer interaction immersive experience interactivity multiculturalism school society st theresa's college story writing Unity university of malta UoM virtual reality virtual world VR vr system

Stuck in the middle with the fumes

Since the 1960s heavy fuel oil (HFO) has reigned supreme as the king of maritime fuels. It was efficient and cheap; its use spread far and wide. International shipping boomed on its success. Even today, this industry handles 90% of the world’s trade volume. For many, HFO is the lifeblood of the maritime shipping industry. But it has a dark side…

emissions Environment environmental engineer fumes Giordan Lighthouse Gozo Gozo Campus heavy fuel oil HFO IMO International Maritime Organisation LNG malta Maltese Islands marine pollution marine vehicles Mediterranean oil pollutants Prof. Raymond Ellul SECA standard ships STEAM university of malta UoM

Keeping it cool

Air conditioning is no longer considered a luxury by most. At the same time few are aware of its inner workings and how that impacts their bills. Dr Mario Farrugia explains.

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Mighty Origins

There was once a group of sharp young teens looking for some fun. But all the games they toiled to purchase had a plethora of plot holes and problems. They joined forces and gave themselves one mission: to make the best game in the history of games! They called themselves Mighty Box… and this is their story. Words by Cassi Camilleri.

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Where Humanities, Medicine, and Sciences meet

Not many Ph.D.s lead to a new programme of studies, but cardiac paediatrician Prof. Victor Grech’s did. His study on Infertility in Science Fiction inspired him and his supervisors, Prof. Ivan Callus and Prof. Clare Vassallo, (University of Malta) to start the HUMS programme: a space for researchers in the humanities, medicine, and sciences to meet and discuss the bridges between these areas.Continue reading

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