Paper for Issue

Solar-Powered RFID and IoT-Based Enhanced Automatic Door Locking System: Development And Acceptability Evaluation

Abstract

The research design used in the study is a developmental research design, which involves design, development, and evaluation of a Solar-Powered RFID and IoT-Based Enhanced Automatic Door Locking System for laboratories in institutions. It is based on a Regulatory Compliance Framework developed by Fiene, Dimensions of Quality by Garvin, and Technology Acceptance Model by Davis for assessing its performance and features, and for addressing issues of perceived usefulness and ease of use, respectively. In developing the system, the researcher used hardware configuration, programming, and IoT cloud technology. In evaluating the system, a pilot study of 30 purposively selected participants from among the faculty members and technical personnel with expertise in electronics and IoT technology in the institution was conducted. It utilized a five-point Likert scale to evaluate system performance, features, perceived usefulness, and ease of use. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in evaluating system performance and features, and to investigate relationships among variables. The pilot study revealed high ratings for system performance, features, perceived usefulness, and ease of use, with a mean of 4.46, 4.17, 4.33, and 4.57, respectively. It revealed a weak and non-significant positive relationship between system performance and acceptability, as revealed by Pearson correlation analysis, with a correlation coefficient of 0.318 and a significance level of 0.087. The researcher concluded that the developed system is highly effective in terms of its performance and features, and is acceptable for use in laboratories in institutions, given its scalability, energy efficiency, and security for authentication, remote monitoring, and notification systems.

Development and Performance Evaluation of an Energy Monitoring Device with SMS Notification and Automated Billing Features

Abstract

Manual energy monitoring and billing in multi-unit residential properties remain time-consuming, error-prone, and susceptible to disputes between landlords and tenants. The absence of integrated automation for real-time consumption tracking, billing generation, notification, and power control highlights the need for a unified and cost-effective solution. This study aimed to design, develop, and evaluate an Energy Monitoring Device with SMS Notification and automated billing features tailored for small-scale residential applications. A developmental research approach guided by an iterative design model was employed, involving prototype fabrication, functionality testing, and statistical performance validation. The system integrates an Arduino MEGA2560 microcontroller, PZEM-004T energy sensor, SIM800 GSM module, solid-state relay (SSR), and ESP8266 Wi-Fi module to enable real-time monitoring, SMS-based communication, automated billing computation, and remote power disconnection. Efficiency and reliability were evaluated using a one-sample t-test to compare SMS transmission time against a 32.7-second benchmark and an F-test to assess variance between device-measured energy readings and conventional submeter calculations. Results indicated 100% functional performance across core features. The t-test revealed a statistically significant improvement in SMS efficiency, while the F-test confirmed no significant difference in energy measurement and billing accuracy. The developed prototype demonstrates technical reliability, operational efficiency, and practical applicability for residential energy management, offering landlords a scalable and automated alternative to manual billing systems.

Design and Experimental Validation of a Low-Cost Laser-Assisted Linear Displacement Measuring Instrument

Abstract

Accurate measurement of linear displacement is essential in engineering laboratories, materials testing, and instructional settings. However, many commercially available displacement measuring instruments such as Linear Variable Differential Transformers (LVDTs) and optical encoders, are costly and often require complex signal conditioning systems. This study presents the design, development, and experimental validation of a Low-Cost Laser-Assisted Linear Displacement Measuring Instrument (LALDI) intended to provide an accessible and reliable alternative. The instrument operates using a laser diode directed toward a laminated greyscale strip, where displacement is quantified through variations in light intensity detected by a light-dependent resistor (LDR). A signal conditioning circuit and microcontroller process the analog signal into measurable displacement data. The development process followed a structured design–prototype–test–evaluation framework. Experimental validation was conducted within a 0–4 inch (0–101.6 mm) displacement range and compared against a commercial dial indicator. Statistical analysis using paired t-test and standard deviation assessment demonstrated no significant difference between the measurements of LALDI and the reference instrument at the 0.05 level of significance. Repeatability analysis confirmed stable measurement performance across incremental testing. Cost analysis revealed that the fabricated device achieved substantial cost reduction compared with commercial displacement measuring systems while maintaining acceptable accuracy and precision. The findings indicate that LALDI provides a practical, cost-effective solution for academic laboratories and small-scale engineering applications, with potential for further refinement and scalability.