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This paper discusses the quantitative effect of vegetative windbreak on wind velocity at a resort building in Malaysia. The implementation of vegetative windbreaks was proposed to reduce wind velocity and improve pedestrian wind comfort, especially in the coastline areas in Cenang, Langkawi. By comprehensive analysis of the data from field measurement and computer simulation from computational fluid dynamics (CFD), this paper studies tree effects on pedestrian wind comfort with different row numbers and arrangements. The simulation is validated by wind tunnel experiment, and the RNG k-ε turbulence closure scheme used in the simulation provides good predictions of the airflow field for both single and double rows trees. The study shows the morphologies of the CE tree have a great influence on the flow field with a conical shape with large bottoms and small tops providing a better wind reduction efficiency due to the larger upward cross-flow component which exhibited better windbreak efficiency. A single row tree is the most efficient in reducing wind velocity and providing good comfort for traversing, strolling, and moderate for sitting compared with double rows which are poor comfort in sitting.

This study investigated the effects of urban morphology on microclimate parameters in an urban university campus in Malaysia. Outdoor air temperatures (Tout) were recorded at eight different locations inside the campus for seven days. The study used three urban morphological parameters such as green cover ratio, height-to-width (H/W) ratio, and sky view factor (SVF). The relationship between urban morphological parameters and Tout obtained from in situ measurements was investigated. The results showed that, at a dense green cover ratio of 22% in a 7833 m2 area where the H/W ratio was 0.2, Tout was reduced by about 1% due to a long building shadow cover (12 h) and a high range of SVF (from 0.61 to 0.68). The use of geographic information system (GIS) to generate the spatial data of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Campus (UTMKL), morphological features and in situ Tout distributions provided useful information of Tout variations, and proved the applicability of GIS as a useful tool in smart city urban planning.

Difficulties in controlling the effects of outdoor thermal environment on the human body are attracting considerable research attention. This study investigated the outdoor thermal comfort of urban pedestrians by assessing their perceptions of the tropical, micrometeorological, and physical conditions via a questionnaire survey. Evaluation of the outdoor thermal comfort involved pedestrians performing various physical activities (sitting, walking, and standing) in outdoor and semi-outdoor spaces where the data collection of air temperature, globe temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, metabolic activity, and clothing insulation data was done simultaneously. A total of 1011 participants were interviewed, and the micrometeorological data were recorded under outdoor and semi-outdoor conditions at two Malaysian university campuses. The neutral temperatures obtained which were 28.1 °C and 30.8 °C were within the biothermal acceptable ranges of 24–34 °C and 26–33 °C of the PET thermal sensation ranges for the outdoor and semi-outdoor conditions, respectively. Additionally, the participants’ thermal sensation and preference votes were highly correlated with the PET and strongly related to air and mean radiant temperatures. The findings demonstrated the influence of individuals’ thermal adaptation on the outdoor thermal comfort levels. This knowledge could be useful in the planning and designing of outdoor environments in hot and humid regions to create better thermal environments.

The present study is intended to evaluate an outdoor thermal comfort at two universities campus in Malaysia. Field measurement and questionnaire survey were conducted simultaneously to assess the microclimatic condition and pedestrian thermal sensation. A total of 3033 samples were collected at seven different sky view factor (SVF) values that range from 0.2 to 0.9. The physiological equivalent temperature (PET) was estimated to evaluate outdoor thermal comfort. It was observed that at a highly shaded area (SVF < 0.35) the respondent’s thermal sensation vote (TSV) are neutral (> 25%), acceptable for thermal acceptance vote (TAV) (> 50%) and no change (> 50%) for thermal preference vote (TPV). For moderate shaded (0.35 ≤ SVF ≤ 0.70) TSV was voted as hot (> 25%), acceptable for TAV (40%), and prefer slightly cooler for TPV (>50%). For less shaded area (0.70 < SVF ≤ 1), TSV was voted as hot and very hot (> 25%), acceptable for TAV (>40%) and prefer slightly cooler for TPV (> 40%). Moreover, the PET value increases simultaneously with the increase of SVF. Results thus suggest that at any given activities such as sitting, walking, and standing also caused effects slightly on the way people thermally perceive it during the on-campus daytime.

Mouth spacer is designed to keep the mouth open wide enough for the dentist during dental procedures. Designing and developing a mouth spacer that able to open mouth wide enough and limit the tongue movement is the main objectives for this paper. The new mouth spacer design is expected to reduce gums and jaws pain. This paper incorporates problem identification, idea generation and conceptualization stage in order to generate two design concepts for new mouth spacer designed. The mouth spacer conceptual design with dual function that complied with these project objectives was selected. This design was modeled by using of CATIA software and the suggested material is polyvinylacetate polyethylene (EVA) copolymer and application of silicone sponge gel on the side for patient comfort and satisfaction. The mock up design was prepared using RP machine to visualize the conceptual design. Above all, this paper gives detailed description function of the mouth spacer that may improve the dental surgery application towards a better procedure.