FAH0033 THINKING SKILLS

GROUP PROJECT

SEPTEMBER 2010 SEMESTER

PROGRAMME: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

GROUP NUMBER: 10

GROUP NAME:

PROJECT TITLE: CLIMATE CHANGE & EARTHQUAKE WARNING

SYSTEM

LECTURER: DR ONG SENG HEE

GROUP MEMBERS:

1. NUR AMALINA BT RAMLAN 14904

2. NUR AMILIA BINTI NOOR AZMI 14918

3. MUHAMMAD IDWAN B JALIL 14926

4. ALI ABIDIN B IDRIS 14968

5. MUHAMMAD ZAFIRUL HAKIM BIN NORDIN 15020

 PART 1

THINKING TOOLS
1. Problem Statement :
The problem is the abnormal climate change experienced by the earth lately.

2. Objective of the Project Question :

The objective of this project is to
2.1 Determine the causes of climate change.
2.2 Propose some solutions to prevent climate change.

3. Research tasks :
The research tasks are
3.1 Generate a list of probable causes of climate change by using CAF.
3.2 Produce a comprehensive Ishikawa diagram based on the causes given in 3.1.
3.3 Suggest five solutions to prevent climate change.
3.4 Produce and submit an executive report.

4. Benefits and usefulness of the tools used to address the problem :

4.1 Consider All Factors (CAF)
4.1.1 Serves to ensure that no possibilities have been overlooked.
4.1.2 Reminds that all factors or parameters should be considered when analyzing a
problem in order to avoid error of partialism in thinking.
4.1.3 Applied to look all factors involved in a situation as broad as possible, rather than of
only immediate ones.
4.1.4 Designed to encourage students to widen their thinking by ‘exploring’ rather than
‘judging’.
4.1.5 Extends perceptions.
4.1.6 Assist to think more effectively about certain situation
4.1.7 When making decision or just thinking about something, there are many factors to
consider. If some factors are left out, the choice may seem right at the time but will
later turn out to be wrong. When looking at other people’s thinking, some factors
they have left out could be detected.
4.1.8 Basically related to action, decision, planning, judging and coming to a conclusion.
4.1.9 Provide deliberate attention to explore all the factors relevant in situation at the time
of exploration takes place.
4.2 Ishikawa Diagram
4.2.1 Enable us to consider whole picture which is able to examine all of the available
problems, instead of confining ourselves with obvious ones that may not be crucial.
4.2.2 Encourage motivate participation of group members so that the cumulative
knowledge and wisdom of whole group will be totally utilized.
4.2.3 Serve visuals of the problem and potential categories of causes.
4.2.4 Use an organized, easy-to-be-read format to make a diagram for displaying the
relationship of factors and benefits.
4.2.5 Enable to discern and determine the roots and origins of a problem or quality in a
structured method.
4.2.6 Expose which problem is lack adequate information or data and requires further
study.
4.2.7 Promote creative thinking by going through brainstorming.
4.2.8 Help to identify and distinguish the potential problems and decide which one should
and is possible to be resolved.
4.2.9 Facilitate to better comprehend and increase knowledge of the current problems by
helping all to learn more about the causes at play.
4.2.10 Help to divert focus of participants to vital issues rather without allowing complaints
and discussions of irrelevant matters to be voiced out.
5. Task :
5.1 illustration of Thinking Tools Used to Address the Problem
5.1.1 Consider All Factors (CAF)
5.1.1.1Natural Phenomena
5.1.1.1.1 Volcanic eruptions, direction of winds and proximity to equator are
examples of natural phenomena that contribute climate change

5.1.1.2 Human Activities

5.1.1.2.1 logging, open burning, smoking are some of human influences towards
climate change

5.1.1.3 Global Warming

5.1.1.3.1 Melting of ice, arise in carbon dioxide level and rise of global temperature
contribute to climate change

5.1.1.4 Industrial Revolution

5.1.1.4.1 Invention of motor engines, increased burning of fossil fuels and factories
release harmful gases to atmosphere

5.1.1.5 El Nino
5.1.1.5.1 The irregular warming of surface water in Pacific pumps energy and
moisture into atmosphere, altering wind and rainfall patterns

5.1.1.6 Urbanization
5.1.1.6.1 Construction of buildings, skyscrapers, increased of human population and
 5.1.2 Ishikawa Diagram

Step 1

Climate Change

Step 2

Natural Human
Phenomena Activities

Climate

Change

Global Warming Industrial Revolution

 Step 3

Natural Phenomena Human

El Nino Logging

Volcanic eruption Open burning

Direction of winds Urbanization

Proximity to equator Smoking

Climate

Change

Greenhouse effect Motor engines

Thinning of ozone layer Burning of fossil fuels

Melting of ice Factories

Global Warming Industrial

 Step 4

Natural Phenomena Human

EL NINO URBANIZATION

Volcanic eruption Open burning

Direction of winds Logging

Proximity to equator Smoking

Climate

Change

GREENHOUSE EFFECT MOTOR ENGINES

Thinning of ozone layer Burning of fossil fuels

Melting of ice Factories

Global Warming Industrial

 Step 5

Natural Phenomena Human

EL NINO

URBANIZATION

Climate

Change
GLOBAL WARMING
MOTOR
ENGINES

Global Warming Industrial

5.2 Suggested Solutions to the problem
5.2.1 Improving public transport and ride schemes, pedestrianisation and encouraging
people to practice car pooling to reduce pollutions and congestion especially during
‘rush hours’.
5.2.2 Government passes laws to plan and provide environmentally sound cities,
considering that people should not live in polluted or unsafe areas.
5.2.3 Government encourages private investment in sustainable industries, like
solar energy, public transportation, and water reclamation, with
financial rewards.
5.2.4 In order to prevent rapid urbanization and conserve natural ecosystems,
private industry will utilize natural resources to promote tourism and
create jobs in both rural and urban areas. Using subsidies, government
promotes private and foreign investment in environmentally sound
development in rural areas.
5.2.5 Industries improve cars to be environmentally friendly. Government
reduces the manufacturing of private cars and sponsors manufacturing of
public transportation vehicles, encouraging people to use them by
raising parking and gasoline prices.
 QUESTION 2
INNOVATIONS
We have been required to produce the design concept of an effective earthquake
warning system. The proposed system must be reliable, accurate, easy to install, cost
effective and able to function in remote earthquake-prone areas
1. DENTIFYING A DATUM

SOS-LIFE Earthquake early warning system

Dimension Width(8.5cm), length(4cm), height(14.5cm)

Weight 220gram
Casing Material ABS (Acrylonitrile Butdiene Styrene)
Mounting Bracket Thermoplastic
Alarm display View angle(60°), intensity(2500mcd)
Alarm Screen 3 coloured light indicate different meaning
Alarm sound Loudness 85Db in radius 1metre
Light display type Coloured bulb light
Power consumption Max. 120mA
Operating temperature 0° C-45° C
Battery type NiMH ; 4,8V DC ; 950 mAh
Battery life 7days uncharged
Additional feature String making the device’s transportation
accessible

2. DECOMPOSITION CHART
 Earthquake
Warning
system

Casing Power Accupack Additional

Material Supply Type Features

Alarm Alarm Accupack Mounting

Display Sound Size Bracket

3. MORPHOLOGY CHART

Features Main
 (How/Type/Characteristic)
Casing Material ABS Steel Carbon Fibre Wood
Alarm Display Coloured light LED light Digital Screen LCD Screen
Alarm Sound 85dB 105dB 125dB 65dB
Power Supply Adapter Solar Rechargeable Battery
Battery
Accupack Size Small Large Medium Extra Large
Accupack Type NiMH NiCd Li-ion Li-ion Polymer
Mounting Bracket Thermoplastic Aluminium Leather Stainless Steel
Additional Features Neck Strap Waist Strap Clipper Hand Strap

4. PLAUSIBLE SOLUTION CONCEPTS & SKETCHES

Concept 1 (C1)

Features Main
(How/Type/Characteristic)
Casing Material ABS Steel Carbon Fibre Wood
Alarm Display Coloured light LED light Digital LCD Screen
 Screen
Alarm Sound 85dB 105dB 125dB 65dB
Power Supply Adapter Solar Rechargeabl Battery
e Battery
Accupack Size Small Large Medium Extra Large
Accupack Type NiMH NiCd Li-ion Li-ion Polymer
Mounting Bracket Thermoplastic Aluminium Leather Stainless Steel
Additional Features Neck Strap Waist Strap Clipper Hand Strap
Concept 2 (C2)

Features Main
(How/Type/Characteristic)
Casing Material ABS Steel Carbon Fibre Wood
Alarm Display Coloured light LED light Digital LCD Screen
Screen
Alarm Sound 85dB 105dB 125dB 65dB
Power Supply Adapter Solar Rechargeabl Battery
e Battery
Accupack Size Small Large Medium Extra Large
Accupack Type NiMH NiCd Li-ion Li-ion Polymer
Mounting Bracket Thermoplastic Aluminium Leather Stainless Steel
Additional Features Neck String Waist Strap Clipper Hand Strap
Concept 3 (C3)

Features Main
(How/Type/Characteristic)
Casing Material ABS Steel Carbon Fibre Wood
Alarm Display Coloured light LED light Digital Screen LCD Screen
Alarm Sound 85dB 105dB 125dB 65dB
Power Supply Adapter Solar Rechargeable Battery
Battery
Accupack Size Small Large Medium Extra Large
Accupack Type NiMH NiCd Li-ion Li-ion Polymer
Mounting Bracket Thermoplastic Aluminium Leather Stainless Steel
Additional Features Neck Strap Waist Strap Clipper Hand Strap
Concept 4 (C4)

Features Main
(How/Type/Characteristic)
Casing Material ABS Steel Carbon Fibre Wood
Alarm Display Coloured light LED light Digital LCD Screen
Screen
Alarm Sound 85dB 105dB 125dB 65dB
Power Supply Adapter Solar Rechargeabl Battery
e Battery
Accupack Size Small Large Medium Extra Large
Accupack Type NiMH NiCd Li-ion Li-ion Polymer
Mounting Bracket Thermoplastic Aluminium Leather Stainless Steel
Additional Features Neck Strap Waist Strap Clipper Hand Strap
Concept 5 (C5)

Features Main
(How/Type/Characteristic)
Casing Material ABS Steel Carbon Fibre Wood
Alarm Display Coloured light LED light Digital LCD Screen
Screen
Alarm Sound 85dB 105dB 125dB 65dB
Power Supply Adapter Solar Rechargeabl Battery
e Battery
Accupack Size Small Large Medium Extra Large
Accupack Type NiMH NiCd Li-ion Li-ion Polymer
Mounting Bracket Thermoplastic Aluminium Leather Stainless Steel
Additional Features Neck Strap Waist Strap Shoes Strap Hand Strap
5. PUGH EVALUATION MATRIX

Evaluation Criteria DATUM C1 C2 C3 C4 C5

Cost-effective + - S + +
Easy to Install + S S + -
Energy Save - + + + S
Reliability - + S + +
Ability to Function in + - + - +
Earthquake-prone areas
Safety Feature S - - S +
User Friendly - S S + +
Accessibility during Earthquake S - S + S
Durability + S - S -
Total (+) 4 2 2 6 5
Total (-) 3 4 2 1 2
Total (S) 2 3 5 2 2
Total 1 -2 0 5 3

Decision: The chosen concept is C4 which is Concept 4.

Explanation: The final value of the Pugh Evaluation Matrix is 5 which are highest.
Concept 4 also more cost effective and reliable to the user. This concept is also easier to install
and save more energy than the datum. In addition to that, this concept also more friendly to the
user and convenient compared to the datum. This concept also has better accessibility during
earthquake than the datum itself.