ABSTRACT
The discovery of the Covid-19 virus in China at the end of 2019 has drastically altered the global landscape. The virus, which has now become a pandemic, has wrought devastation on the world, infecting over 500 million people and killing over 6 million. The virus's mutation into a few variations, however, has enabled the world's alarming situation to continue until now. Airborne particles and viruses including the new Covid-19 variant -Omricon, is not only extremely contagious but also can be transferred by airborne transmission, putting vulnerable people like children at risk, particularly in classrooms. Amongst the strategies to control airborne transmission of viruses and to improve indoor thermal and air quality is using ventilation strategies -such as dynamic insulation. Thus, this paper will review at how dynamic insulation systems in conventional farming and residential buildings, cleanrooms and other controlled environments work to reduce airborne viruses and particles in a room. An innovative "Airhouse" concept that combines with activated carbon has been researched and investigated with regard to the dynamic insulation systems.This system has a high potential to reduce the air temperature, humidity, and airborne viruses including Covid-19 whilst maintaining a steady airflow rate in a normal room. Therefore, it has a great deal of potential to decrease or eliminate concerns about the transmission of airborne viruses and adapt ventilation systems to new pandemic threats.
ABSTRACT
This qualitative study aimed to explore the current status, practices, and challenges of Internet of Things (IoT) implementation and to develop an IoT framework for Industry 4.0 in Malaysia. Industry 4.0 enhances a company's manufacturing competitiveness and efficiency. However, the implementation of Industry 4.0 in Malaysian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is still in its early stages. Five participants from three different SMEs were selected for online interviews and a focus group. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the interviews were conducted online and lasted about 30 to 45 min. The data collected from the interviews were analyzed through thematic analysis and used to validate the literature review and to identify gaps in existing frameworks. The IoT framework was developed through a focus group of experts. This study found that the implementation of Industry 4.0 is relatively low in Malaysian manufacturing SMEs. SMEs are facing various challenges, including the need for education and training, budget constraints, and a lack of experience and knowledge among workers. This study found that the positive impact of IoT implementation included improved internal communication, reduced errors, and enhanced product quality and safety. In addition, this study resulted in the development of an IoT framework for SMEs in Malaysia. © 2023 by the authors.