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The increasing demand for efficient and environmentally friendly diesel engines necessitates advanced simulation tools, with Gamma Technologies’ GT-POWER emerging as a leading software suite for this purpose. This review paper examines the capabilities of GT-POWER for modelling diesel engines, exploring its fundamental principles, user interface, modelling techniques, and simulation capabilities, alongside comparisons with other formidable simulation tools. Moreover, various case studies from the literature are presented to illustrate its application. While there are some shortfalls within the context of GT-POWER, such as the need for further exploration of underutilized areas, the current focus on primarily 1D and multi-zone modelling requires expansion. Coupling GT-POWER with other simulation software for multiphysics analyses—such as CFD for combustion, structural analysis for component stress, fluid flow, and heat transfer—offers significant potential; however, this integration remains largely unexploited. Despite its limitations, the results consistently reveal the software’s versatility in optimizing engine performance across diverse applications, including component design, alternative fuel evaluations, and integration with various technologies such as MATLAB/Simulink, Artificial Neural Networks, and Python. The consistent findings across multiple studies further confirm GT-POWER’s effectiveness as a leading simulation tool for advancing diesel engine technology. Ultimately, this study bridges the gap between theoretical understanding and practical application, making it a valuable resource for researchers and engineers in the field of internal combustion engine optimization.

Excessive exhaust backpressure (EBP) in modern diesel engines disrupts gas exchange, increases residual gas fraction (RGF), and reduces combustion efficiency. Traditional experimental approaches, including simulations and bench testing, are often time-consuming and costly, which has driven growing interest in artificial neural networks (ANNs) for accurately modelling complex engine behavior. This research introduces an ANN model designed to predict the impact of EBP on the performance and emissions of a diesel engine across varying compression ratio (CR) of 12, 14, 16, and 18 and engine load (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) conditions. The ANN model was developed and optimised using genetic algorithms (GA) and particle swarm optimisation (PSO). It was then trained using data from an experimentally validated one-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (1D-CFD) model developed through GT-Power GT-ISE v2024, simulating engine responses under variation CR, load, and EBP conditions. The optimised ANN architecture, featuring an optimal (3-14-10) configuration, was trained using the Levenberg–Marquardt back propagation algorithm. The performance of the model was assessed using statistical criteria, including the coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), and k-fold cross-validation, by comparing its predictions with both experimental and simulated data. Results indicate that the optimised ANN model outperformed the baseline ANN and other machine learning (ML) models, attaining an R2 of 0.991 and an RMSE of 0.011. It reliably predicts engine performance and emissions under varying EBP conditions while offering insights for engine control, optimisation, diagnostics, and thermodynamic mechanisms. The overall prediction error ranged from 1.911% to 2.972%, confirming the model’s robustness in capturing performance and emission outcomes.

Disabled people require assistance with the motion of their lower limbs to improve rehabilitation. Exoskeletons used for lower limb rehabilitation are highly priced and are not affordable to the lowerincome sector of the population. This paper describes an exoskeleton lower limb system that was designed keeping in mind that the cost must be as low as possible. The forward kinematic system that is used must be a simplified model to decrease computational time, yet allow the exoskeleton to be adjustable according to the patient's leg dimensions.

Optimising thrust generation is fundamental to enhancing the performance, efficiency, and manoeuvrability of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), especially as their applications expand across diverse sectors. This paper presents a performance analysis of propeller configurations, investigating the effects of blade diameter, pitch, and blade count on thrust output. Utilising a custom-built, low-cost frictionless test rig, a systematic approach evaluated various configurations under controlled conditions. The results show how each factor influences performance and provides practical advice for improving UAV designs.

Background The Touch Hand 4.5 is a highly customisable prosthetic hand, which features an optimised modular design of the Touch Hand 4. The Touch Hand team has developed a low-cost prosthetic hand, which has been built using an additive manufacturing process. The functionality and features are discussed that are crucial for amputees. Methods This paper documents the design and integration of the Touch Hand 4.5 to be used in the Cybathlon 2020 event as well as the development of the mechanical structure of the hand, socket, electronics and control system utilized. The Touch Hand 4.5 was designed and continuously optimized, with the goal to achieve the tasks in the Cybathlon 2020 event. Results The performance and functionality of the Touch Hand 4.5 was tested on a global scale at the Cybathlon 2020. The device and technology were evaluated against the leading prosthetics and prototypes from around the world. A series of everyday tasks, as set by the Cybathlon event, were performed to determine the capabilities of the device, with the pinch grip, full grip, half grip, and a thumb grip. The Touch Hand team was the only team to complete the Haptic Box task in all three races, which comprised of the identification of objects without the aid of visual input or perception, with a duration between 100 and 120 s. The Breakfast task entailed completing a series of everyday breakfast tasks, such as cutting a loaf of bread, lighting a candle, opening a sugar packet, opening a plastic bottle and a jar, as well as opening a tin can with a can opener. This task was only completed in Race 3, with a duration of 132 s, due to a faulty equipment that was supplied. Conclusion The first contribution that was achieved was the design and development of an additive manufactured hand and socket, considering the socket to have comfort, breathability and decreased irritability. The second contribution was the design optimisation with the linear actuator integration, for a multi-grip hand, which allowed for the pinch grip, full grip, half grip, and a thumb grip. Slippage prevention with grip force control system integration was also implemented. Trial registration number:  Ethical clearance certificate HCC/0161/011.

The performance of a low-cost 3D printed myoelectric prosthetic device known as the Touch Hand 4.5, at the 2020 Cybathlon competition is discussed. This device is under development as a low-cost prosthetic device for upper-limb amputees. The Touch hand team placed 13th out of 15 teams at the Cybathlon competition. By assessing the performance of the device and comparing with the performance of competitors, avenues of future research for the improvement of the Touch hand are identified.

The growing number of objects in orbits has led to an increase in space monitoring. While large-scale tracking system exist, enthusiasts often use basic methods for satellite monitoring. To eliminate the need for physical access to tracking stations, the remote accessible satellite tracking system is proposed and implemented in this paper. The proposed system will track satellites and receive transmissions. A Raspberry Pi was used for control of the device, and a satellite tracking software – Gpredict – was used for calculating coordinates for rotation. Test results showed that the system could operate within 5 degrees of the intended target. Radio transmissions and slow-scan images could be received and recorded.

This paper details the research conducted as vacation work undertaken for Touch Prosthetics during which an electroencephalogram (EEG) headset was used to analyse psychological priming effects on subjects’ concentration levels using visual and audial stimuli. The experimental procedure consists of a visual aspect and an audial aspect during which a participant’s brain activity was measured when exposed to their self-reported favourite colour or music genre, respectively. The findings of both aspects of the experiment may have applications in an industrial environment as a measure to improve employee concentration, and consequently ensure health and safety by minimising hazards due to poor concentration.

The popularity of myoelectric prosthetic hands increases as technological advances allows for the sophistication on prosthetic devices to become more affordable. A 3D printed myoelectric prosthetic hand was designed to ensure that it is cost-effective whilst having functionality similar to commercially available prosthetic hands. A three-fingered prosthetic hand was designed to grip objects of different shapes using one grip. An electromyography control system was investigated by performing tests on an able-bodied person and observing the results. The electromyography control system for the prosthetic hand was then designed. The prosthetic hand was then tested by an amputee by gripping objects of different shapes and sizes to determine its practicality of the prosthetic hand. The prosthetic hand was capable of picking up the object in 50% of its tests and showed a grip strength of 30.4 N and a response time of 4.5 seconds.

Robots are widely used as a vehicle to spark interest in science and technology in learners. A number of initiatives focus on this issue, for instance, the Roberta Initiative, the FIRST Lego League, the World Robot Olympiad and RoboCup Junior. Robotic competitions are valuable not only for school learners but also for university students, as the RoboCup initiative shows. Besides technical skills, the students get some project exposure and experience what it means to finish their tasks on time. But qualifying students for future high-tech areas should not only be for students from developed countries. In this article, we present our experiences with research and education in robotics within the RoboCup initiative, in Germany and South Africa; we report on our experiences with trying to get the RoboCup initiative in South Africa going. RoboCup has a huge support base of academic institutions in Germany; this is not the case in South Africa. We present our ‘north–south’ collaboration initiatives in RoboCup between Germany and South Africa and discuss some of the reasons why we think it is harder to run RoboCup in South Africa.