FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

This project focuses on the overhauling of a thermoplastic injection-moulding
machine, specifically addressing the restoration and fabrication of the barrel-plunger assembly, which is the core unit responsible for melting and injecting polymer materials. The work involved diagnosing performance issues in the old assembly, repairing worn components, and fabricating a new, improved barrel-plunger pair to restore optimal machine efficiency while retaining the refurbished pair as a reliable backup. Engineering analyses, including material selection, dimensional accuracy, thermal considerations, and mechanical performance, guided both the repair and fabrication processes. The project further evaluated the quality of products produced with the overhauled machine and compared them with similar off-the-shelf items to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. Findings showed that the newly fabricated assembly significantly improved melt consistency, injection pressure stability, and overall product quality, demonstrating that a systematic overhaul can extend machine life, reduce downtime, and deliver outputs comparable to commercially available standards.

This paper critically examines the emerging field of blind computation in AI machine operations, challenging conventional approaches to data privacy and security in artificial intelligence systems. As AI continues to permeate various sectors, from healthcare to finance, the need for robust privacy-preserving techniques has become paramount. Blind computation offers a promising solution by enabling AI models to process encrypted data without decryption, thus maintaining data confidentiality throughout the computational pipeline. This research synthesizes cutting-edge developments in homomorphic encryption, secure multiparty computation, and federated learning, presenting a comprehensive framework for implementing blind computation in AI systems. We propose novel architectures that significantly enhance data protection without compromising computational efficiency. Our analysis reveals that while blind computation techniques offer unprecedented levels of privacy, they also introduce new challenges in terms of computational overhead and model accuracy. We present empirical evidence demonstrating the trade-offs between privacy, performance, and precision, and propose innovative strategies to optimize these competing factors. Furthermore, we critically assess the ethical implications of blind computation, examining its potential to either mitigate or exacerbate existing biases in AI systems. This paper concludes by outlining a roadmap for future research, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to address the technical, ethical, and regulatory challenges associated with blind computation in AI. Our findings have significant implications for the design and deployment of privacy-preserving AI systems across various domains, potentially revolutionizing the way sensitive data is processed in the age of artificial intelligence

This project focuses on the overhauling of a thermoplastic injection-moulding
machine, specifically addressing the restoration and fabrication of the barrel-plunger assembly, which is the core unit responsible for melting and injecting polymer materials. The work involved diagnosing performance issues in the old assembly, repairing worn components, and fabricating a new, improved barrel-plunger pair to restore optimal machine efficiency while retaining the refurbished pair as a reliable backup. Engineering analyses, including material selection, dimensional accuracy, thermal considerations, and mechanical performance, guided both the repair and fabrication processes. The project further evaluated the quality of products produced with the overhauled machine and compared them with similar off-the-shelf items to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. Findings showed that the newly fabricated assembly significantly improved melt consistency, injection pressure stability, and overall product quality, demonstrating that a systematic overhaul can extend machine life, reduce downtime, and deliver outputs comparable to commercially available standards.

The rising demand for reliable electricity in regions with unstable grid power necessitates the adoption of renewable energy solutions. This project focuses on the design and construction of a 5 kVA, 48 V solar inverter system, capable of integrating solar, battery, and grid power sources for consistent and uninterrupted energy supply to domestic and small office loads. The system integrates solar photovoltaic panels, a battery bank, an MPPT charge controller, and a pure sine wave inverter. It also covers system design, component selection, fabrication, installation, and performance evaluation, with considerations for efficiency, safety, reliability, and cost effectiveness. Experimental testing involved load consumption analysis, continuity and polarity tests, inverter performance evaluation, battery charge–discharge assessment, and protective device verification. The inverter demonstrated a stable AC output voltage of 230 V ± 5 V, frequency of 50 Hz ± 1 Hz, system efficiency of approximately 89.5%, and a Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of less than 3%. Protective features such as overload, short circuit, reverse polarity, and thermal protection were verified to function effectively. Cost analysis indicated that the local construction of the system is more affordable than imported equivalents, while environmental evaluation highlighted reduced carbon emissions and promotion of clean energy access. The project underscores the feasibility, scalability, and socio economic benefits of solar PV systems, offering a practical framework for renewable energy adoption in rural and semi urban areas.

This research addresses a critical dual problem in Nigeria: the premature failure of road infrastructure due to the poor geotechnical properties of locally abundant lateritic soil and the severe environmental pollution caused by carelessly discarded Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) pure water sachets. This plastic waste, being non-biodegradable, clogs vital drainage systems, exacerbating seasonal flooding and creating long-term hazards by breaking down into harmful microplastics. The project seeks to provide a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional, resource-intensive stabilizers like cement and lime. The core objective is to determine the effectiveness of utilizing shredded LDPE sachets as a stabilizing additive to enhance the engineering properties of lateritic soil for road construction. The methodology involves collecting and processing lateritic soil and waste LDPE sachets, which are then blended at varying proportions: 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6% by weight of the soil. Standard geotechnical tests, strictly following BS 1377 (1990) procedures. The unsoaked CBR value increased by approximately 227%, rising from 3.8% at 0% plastic content to 12.69% at 6% content. Similarly, the soaked CBR value improved by 93.5% increasing from 4.91% to 9.50%. These results demonstrate that the modified soil at 6% stabilization meets the standard requirements for road subgrade materials, offering a superior alternative to unstable lateritic soil. In conclusion, the results of this investigation demonstrate that incorporating waste LDPE sachets into lateritic soil successfully improves its engineering performance. This approach presents a pragmatic, two-pronged solution that simultaneously addresses a pervasive national pollution problem and offers a sustainable, cost-effective method for strengthening Nigeria’s essential road infrastructure, leading to a longer service life for flexible pavements.

The unending evolution of technology has led to the innovations in everyday facilities, and restroom infrastructure isn’t left out. This project focuses on the DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN AUTOMATED TOILET for the Mechanical Engineering Department of the University of Benin. This automated toilet integrates automation, hygiene, and efficiency-enhancing features to improve user experience, environmental sustainability, and operational convenience. The system incorporates a limit switch which sends signal to the modified autoflush device whenever a user opens the door, contactless flushing, odor detection, water efficiency mechanisms, enhanced hygiene protocols and a automated lock which incorporates both biometrics and a card reader to enforce access control. The design process involved conceptualization, material selection, fabrication, and performance testing. All ensuring optimal functionality in the university environment. The Testing results indicated that the automated toilet performed efficiently, with responsive automation and reliable hygiene features being implemented to foster a contactless user experience. The implementation of this system demonstrates the potential of automated restroom solutions in the enhancement of sanitation, water wastage, while also providing a modern, user-friendly facility. Some future improvements could include ultrasonic sensors for higher precision, improved water conservation strategies, and also more compact design elements. This project highlights the role of automated technology and modification in modern sanitation and its potential for broader applications in both public and private facilities.

This study reviews the efficiency of hydrogen as a sustainable fuel source in marine propulsion systems to address the urgent need for decarbonization in the shipping industry. Traditional marine fuels contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions; therefore, alternative, zero-emission solutions are critical. The review demonstrates that hydrogen propulsion is a technically viable and highly efficient pathway toward zero-emission shipping. The findings provide critical data for naval architects, policy makers, and shipping companies, underscoring the necessity of investing in fuel cell technology and supporting hydrogen bunkering infrastructure to achieve the IMO's (International Maritime Organization) targets for a sustainable maritime sector

The aim of this project is to carry out a comparative evaluation of foreign and homebased manufactured hybrid 3.5kva inverter system. Conventional non-hybrid inverter systems are characterized by their dependency on the grid, low efficiency in solar charging, limited energy management capabilities, and ineffective communication between components. Therefore, this endeavor is designed to integrate hybrid features to overcome these shortcomings. The process entailed comparing a hybrid inverter system to address the limitations of non-hybrid inverters and to do this, we incorporated an alternative power source, i.e. solar energy, to charge the battery. This involved designing an MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) charge controller and seamlessly integrating its circuitry with that of the inverter in the non-hybrid system. Additionally, we established effective communication between the DSPIC30F2010 microcontroller on the inverter and the DSPIC30F2010 microcontroller on the MPPT circuitry using serial communication, which we integrated into the inverter. All communication protocols were outlined in the source code. To ensure organization and tidiness, we housed all these components within a single enclosure. The project successfully achieved its intended objectives by comparing the hybrid features of the homebased and foreign manufactured inverter systems. Through meticulous design and implementation, all identified limitations were effectively addressed, leading to significant improvements in system performance and functionality. Relevant tests such as output voltage and frequency test, load and no load test, as well as power efficiency tests were carried out to compare the performances of the foreign and home based manufactured hybrid inverter systems. The performance of the home based hybrid inverter was 219.8V for output voltage versus 230V for the foreign. Frequency for home based was 50.04Hz versus 50.0Hz for the foreign. Both inverters displayed a comparable sine wave output. Power efficiency for home based was 90.64 percent while for foreign, it was 94.5 percent, these results show that there was no remarkable difference between the output of the home based compared to the foreign inverter. Furthermore, the locally assembled inverter cost far less than the foreign counterpart. Hence, this study proves that cost efficient inverter systems can be manufactured locally.

This study aims to optimize reinforced concrete (RC) bridge decks using the Leonhardt and Makowski method. A MATLAB based GUI for live load distribution analysis was developed, allowing users to observe the impact of varying design parameters like span, slab thickness, and deck width. The analysis will follow BS5400 provisions, focusing on HA and HB loading combination. The methodology involved creating a MATLAB program that integrates the Leonhardt method into an interactive GUI and MATLAB scripts to run batch inputs. This tool validates user inputs, apply load cases (UDL, KEL, HB vehicle loads), compute section properties, and generate both tabular and graphical outputs (e.g., bending moment diagrams). To verify accuracy, results from manual calculations for bridge of span 25m, deck width of 11m and slab thickness 230mm was compared. The MATLAB tool is showed strong agreement with both manual calculations with 0.002% difference while the percentage difference compared to the STAAD.Pro analysis was 2.97% when computing the maximum longitudinal bending moments. The parametric study showed that the maximum moments appeared on the first support. The tool created will be able to provide engineers and students a flexible environment to explore design alternatives and understand how the inputs influence bridge behavior. Although the MATLAB GUI developed in this study performed excellently when compared to manual calculation, more comparative testing with other load distribution methods and with finite element based tool to further test the accuracy of the study.

This study assessed the quality of groundwater in Ekosodin community, Edo State, Nigeria, using geospatial techniques and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The objectives were to analyze selected physicochemical parameters of groundwater, compare the results with World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS), map the spatial distribution of groundwater quality, and identify the major factors influencing contamination. The study was necessitated by the increasing dependence on groundwater due to inadequate public water supply and the rising risk of contamination from anthropogenic activities. Groundwater samples were collected from eight boreholes across the study area, and their geographic coordinates were recorded using a handheld GPS device. Laboratory analyses were conducted on selected physicochemical parameters including major ions and heavy metals using standard APHA procedures. Geospatial analysis was carried out using GIS (Inverse Distance Weighting) to map the spatial distribution of groundwater quality parameters. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to reduce data dimensionality and identify the dominant factors influencing groundwater quality. The results revealed significant variation in groundwater quality across the study area. The Water Quality Index (WQI) ranged from 30.31 to 227.36, classifying samples into excellent, good, poor, and very poor categories. Samples 6 and 7 recorded excellent quality (30.54– 41.84), while samples 2, 3, and 4 showed poor to very poor quality (136.47–227.36), indicating unsuitability for drinking without treatment. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) extracted four components accounting for 97.4% of the total variance, indicating that both geogenic processes and anthropogenic activities are the major factors influencing groundwater quality in the area. The study concluded that groundwater in Ekosodin is vulnerable to contamination and requires regular monitoring, improved waste management, and public awareness to ensure safe and sustainable use