Artificial Intelligence framework for threat assessment and containment for COVID-19 and future epidemics while mitigating the socio-economic impact to women, children, and underprivileged groups.
Description : Based on generated behavior and movements, this project will develop AI to conduct contact tracing and socioeconomic impact mitigation actions in a more informed, socially conscious, and responsible manner in the case of the next wave of COVID-19 infections or a different future infectious disease. The project will develop a set of recommendations that policy makers and medical practitioners can access. (more...)
Funding : International Development Research Center (IDRC|CRDI) Canada
Principal Investigator : Prof. J.B. Ekanayake
Other Investigators : Prof. Samath Dharmaratne, Prof. Mallika Pinnawala, Dr. G.M.R.I. Godaliyadda, Dr. M.P.B. Ekanayake, Dr. V.R. Herath, Dr. Anuruddhika Rathnayake, Dr. Sakunthala Yatigammana Ekanayake.
Duration : 2020 August onwards
Research Assistants : Gihan Jayatilaka, Jameel Hassan, Umar Marikkar, Suren Srithara, Harshana Weligampola, Rumali Perera, Mevan Ekanayake .
Publications : Gihan Jayatilaka*, Jameel Hassan*, Umar Marikkar, Rumali Perera, Suren Sritharan, Harshana Weligampola, Mevan Ekanayake, Roshan Godaliyadda, Parakrama Ekanayake, Vijitha Herath, G.M. Dilshan Godaliyadda, Anuruddhika Rathnayake, Samath D. Dharmaratne, Janaka Ekanayake (2020). Use of Artificial Intelligence on spatio-temporal data to generate insights during COVID-19 pandemic: A Review. medRxiv preprint.
Project 2
Frequency Domain Measurements for Diagnosis of Power Transformers.
Description : Power transformers and their performance and reliability in electric power networks are important research issues of power systems. As estimated, based on available literature, nearly 50% of the failures can be related to transformer windings and insulation. This collective project aims at summarizing experiences related to use of diagnostic tools based on frequency domain measurements at different geographical regions of the world. Analysis was based on measurements performed on 577 power transformers from 4 counties, having power rating of 5-1000 MVA, voltage level between 6.9 and 400 kV and service age in the range of 1-65 years. Findings are summaries as a manuscript and submitted to CIGRE Journal of Science and Engineering.
Investigator : Prof. Manjula Fernando and Dr. Sarath Kumara
Collaborators : Prof. Zhongdong Wang, University of Exeter, UK and The University of Manchester, UK Dr. Shanika Matharage, University of Exeter, United Kingdom Dr. Chandima Ekanayake, The University of Queensland, Australia Mr. Prasanna Wickramasuriya, Energy Queensland, Australia Dr. Fairouz Yousuf, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn, Malaysia Prof. Stanislaw Gubanski, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden Dr. Kapila Bandara, CEB, Sri Lanka.
Duration : Since June 2020
Project 3
Modeling and Assessment of Lightning Hazards in Heritage Monuments in Sri Lanka and India.
Description : This research investigates possible lightning risks appearing on heritage monuments in Sri Lanka and India. The investigated heritage monuments include giant stupas in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa kingdoms (Ruwanweliseya, Abayagiriya, Jethawanaramaya, Mirisaveitya, Kirivehera, and Rankotvehera), Lord Buddha Statues (Avukana and Maligavila) and hindu temples and churches in India. Lightning risk is analyzed by Protective Angle Method (PAM) and Rolling Sphere Method (RSM). Afterwards the analysis is extended to FEB based approach of lightning leader propagation by using COMSOL multi-physics. Further, lightning human interaction is also obtained by different interaction methods namely direct strikes, side flash, step and touch voltages, and aborted upward leader.
Funding : Ministry of Science, Technology and Research, Sri Lanka
Investigator : Prof. Manjula Fernando and Dr. Sarath Kumara
Collaborators : Prof. S. Venkatesh (PI) and S. Thirumalini (Co-PI) from VIT India as collaborators. Dr. D.K. Jayaratne from Archeological Department, UoP, Prof. K.A.S. Susantha from Department of Mathematics, UoP and Mahendra Fernando from UoC as working team. Prof. Vernon Cooray from Uppsala University and Prof. M.P Ranaweera from UoP as advisor.
Duration : January 2018 to February 2021
Publications :
Venkatesh Srinivasan, Manjula Fernando, Sarath Kumara, Selvaraj Thirumalini, and Vernon Cooray “Modeling and Assessment of Lightning Hazards to Humans in Heritage Monuments in India and Sri Lanka “, IEEE ACCESS, Vol. 8, pp. 228032- 228048, 2020.
Selvaraj Thirumalini, Venkatesh Srinivasan, Simona Raneri, Manjula Fernando, Kunal Kakria, Simon Jayasingh, “ Response of organic lime mortars to thermal and electrical shocks due to lightning strikes“, MDPI Sustainability Journal, September 2020, Vol 12, Issue 17, 7182 Kingdom.
S. Venkatesh, SrisailamSreedhar, S. Thirumalini, M.A.R.M. Fernando, Sarath Kumara, “ Lightning Protection of Ancient Chola Monument in South India Based on Three-Dimensional Geometric and Electro-Geometric Techniques”, International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering (IJITEE) ISSN: 2278-3075, Volume-9 Issue-3, January 2020, pp 988-994.
S. Venkatesh, S. Thirumalini, S. Chandrasekaran, S. Sreedhar, K. Kakria, M.A.R.M. Fernando and J.R.S.S. Kumara, “Three Dimensional Implementation of Modified Rolling Sphere Method for Lightning Protection of Giant Medieval Chola Monuments in South India”, 14th IEEE International Conference on Industrial and Information Systems ICIIS2019,Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 2019.
U.K.R.M.S. Rajapaksha, J.R.S.S. Kumara, M.A.R.M. Fernando, K.A.S. Susantha, S. Venkatesh, and D.K Jayaratne, “Possible Lightning Hazards to Humans near Giant Ancient Stupa”, 14th IEEE International Conference on Industrial and Information Systems ICIIS2019, Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 2019.
Bandara, C. Ratnayake, D. Ambepitiya, S. Kumara, M.A.R.M. Fernando, S. Venkatesh, and D.K. Jayaratne, “Lightning Risk Analyses on Protected Sri Lankan Heritage Stupas”, 13th IEEE International Conference on Industrial and Information Systems ICIIS2018, IIT Ropar, Roparnagar, India.
Bandara, C. Ratnayake, D. Ambepitiya, S. Kumara, M.A.R.M. Fernando, S.K.S. Susantha, and D.K. Jayaratne, “Lightning Analyses on Ancient and New Giant Stupas”, IESL Anual Transactions AGM, Central province, Kandy Sri Lanka, October 2018, pp. 45-54.
Project 4
Elephant Train Collision Presentation System.
Description : The goal of this work is to develop an appropriate sensor unit and associated algorithms to detect the presence of elephants on or near the train track at an adequate distance. The sensor unit consists of an Intel Up Squared AI Vision Development computing platform, a wide-angle camera, an infra-red camera and 4G router for mobile communication connection. This unit is powered using a cost-effective lead acid battery pack which is charged on site with a dedicated solar PV charging system. A state-of-the-art Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) is used to process incoming feed from the cameras to detect elephant presence both during the day and at night. This detection status will be communicated to train console unit in the train engine compartment, which can alarm the train driver for appropriate actions. This sensor unit will be deployed at identified “hot-spots” where elephants are known to congregate and cross the train line. Some field trials have already been conducted and the complete system is yet to be tested in the field.
Funding : Special Interest Group in Humanitarian Technologies of the Robotics and Automation Society of the Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), USA.
Principle Investigator : Prof. Lilantha Samaranayake
Other Investigators : Dr. Nalin Harischandra, Dr.Tharindu Weerakoon, Dr. Parakrama Ekanayake, Prof. Kithsiri Liyanage
Collaborators : Prof. Gamini Dissanayake, Dr. Ravi Ranasinghe, Centrefor Autonomous Systems, Sydney University of Technology, Australia
Duration : Feb 2020- Feb 2021
Research Assistant : Shanaka Ramesh Gunasekara
Project 5
Condition monitoring and diagnosis of high voltage components.
Description : Condition monitoring, diagnosis and performance evaluation of various high voltage components have been one of the key research areas within the department since 1996. Most of the activities were conducted with close collaboration of Sri Lankan Utility, CEB. Studied components include insulators, current transformers, transformers, generators, etc. Most of these studied were conducted as postgraduate thesis projects. Few activities are:
Condition assessment of oil/paper high voltage CT based on measurement on 150 units (with CEB).
Performance analysis of different type of insulators from 10 sites covering marine, inland wet and industrial polluted areas. (SIDA Sarec, CEB)
Identification of Biological growth on insulators (with Signal processing group and Dept. of Botany, UoP)
DGA based health index for power transformers using all grid substation transformers in Sri Lanka (with CEB)
New condition monitoring methods, GHz ring resonator (with Microwave group, LTL Ltd)
Simple PD detection method for generator applications, field verification at two power plants (with Utility, funded by NRC)
Characterize and model PD activities due to insulation failures (with Signal processing group)
Identification of stator winding insulation failures by PD signal energy (with Utility)
Funding : SIDA SAREC, National Research Council of Sri Lanka, Peradeniya University Research Grants, LTL holdings
Investigators : Prof. Manjula Fernando and Dr. Sarath Kumara
Collaborators : Ceylon Electricity Board, Chalmers University of Technology - Sweden, Signal processing and Microwave groups of the DEEE.
Duration : Since 1996
Selected Publications :
S. Kumara, M. Fernando, T.N. Aravinda, D.S. Daulagala, A.P. Bandara, K. Bandara, P. Nandasena, G.A. Jayantha, "Condition assessment of 132/220 kV oil-paper current transformers in Sri Lanka," in IEEE Electrical Insulation Magazine, vol. 36, no. 6, pp. 21-30, Nov.-Dec. 2020.
Thathsara Herath, J.R.S.S. Kumara, M.A.R.M. Fernando, J.V. Wijayakulasooriya, K.M.K.S Bandara, G.A. Jayantha, “Field Verification of a Simple Partial Discharge Denoising Method for Generator Application”, IET Science, Measurement & Technology 14 (7), 835-843.
Sarath Kumara and Manjula Fernando, “Performance of Outdoor Insulators in Tropical Conditions of Sri Lanka”, IEEE Electrical Insulation Magazine, Vol. 36, No. 4, pp.26-35, 2020.
Bhagya Swarnasinghe, Kavindya Dissanayake, Udathari Medagoda, Janaka Wijayakulasooriya, Sarath Kumara, Manjula Fernando. “Prony Algorithm for Noise Filteration in Partial Discharge Signals Captured by High Frequency Current Transducer”, ICD 2020, Valencia, Spain.
A. De Silva, S. Kumara, V. Herath, M. Fernando and S. Athukorala, "Effectiveness of methods practiced to clean Biological Growth on MV Porcelain Insulators – A Case Study," 2019 14th Conference on Industrial and Information Systems (ICIIS), Kandy, Sri Lanka, 2019, pp. 91-96.
K. Weerasekera, K. Bandara, S. Kumara and M. Fernando, "Condition Assessment of HV Circuit Breaker Contacts Using Dynamic Resistance Measurements," 2019 14th Conference on Industrial and Information Systems (ICIIS), Kandy, Sri Lanka, 2019, pp. 101-106.
A.H.A.D. Abeysekara, J.R.S.S. Kumara, M.A.R.M. Fernando, M.P.B. Eakanayake, G.M.R.I. Godaliyadda and J.V. Wijayakulasooriya, “Remote Leakage Current Detector for Identification of Insulators Discharges", IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, Vol. 24, No.4, pp. 2449-2458, August 2017.
W.M.S.C. Samarasinghe, J.R.S.S. Kumara, and M.A.R.M. Fernando, A.C.M. Ahamed and A.U.A.W. Gunawardena, " Aging Assessment of Transformer Pressboard Insulation by Micro-strip Ring Resonator at GHz Frequencies", IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, Vol.24, No.3, pp. 19231930, June 2017.
Project 6
Three port, bi-directional dc-dc converter.
Description : Two controllable bidirectional converters have been designed and developed to connect a battery bank and a supercapacitor bank to the common dc link of an electric vehicle powertrain. This arrangement is used as the HESS of an e-wheeler. The HESS system architecture is shown in the figure below. The two converters are connected to the dc bus where the electric machine is connected via its drive circuit and the controller. One of the dc-dc converters are powered by the battery bank of 24 V consisting of 2 numbers of 12 V, 70 Ah Lead Acid batteries and the other converter is powered by the supercapacitor bank, consisting of 2 numbers of 500 F, 16 V supercapacitors connected in series to form 32 V.
Funding : Engineering & Physical Science Research Council, UK and LTL Holdings Private Limited
Principal Investigator : Dr. Lilantha Samaranayake
Other Investigators : Dr. Prabath Binduhewa, Prof. Janaka Ekanayake
Collaborators : Dr. Stefano Longo, Advanced Vehicle Engineering Centre, Cranfield University, UK
Duration : 1 year
Research Assistants : Nuwan Herath, Eshan Karunaratne
Publications : “Design of a Dual Energy Storage Power Converter for a Small Electric Vehicle”, Nuwan Herath, Prabath Binduhewa, Lilantha Samaranayake, Janaka Ekanayake, Stefano Longo, Proc. IEEE 12th International Conference on Industrial and Information Systems (ICIIS), Dec. 2017, DOI: 10.1109/ICIINFS.2017.8300393.
Status : Completed
Project 7
EEG based Brain-Computer-Interfacing with haptic feedback.
Description : The aim of this project is to develop a Brain-Computer-Interface using EEG for communication and control of a system with tactile feedback to the user using haptics. This Biomedical Engineering project will have a significant component of signal processing, sensor interfacing (EEG), Electronics (EEG circuit and control circuits), Control systems, Haptics, etc. There will be a significant amount of research in signal classification and machine learning in this project.
Principal Investigator : Dr. Ruwan Ranaweera
Other Investigators : Dr. Janaka Wijayakulasooriay, Dr. Nalin Harischandra, Dr. Tharaka Dassanayake (Medical Faculty, UoP)
Collaborators : Prof. Kwangtaek Kim, Kent State University, USA
