Journal of Mechanical Engineering - JMechE

🔩 JMechE Weekly Sharing – Vol. 23(1) 2026

Category: Aerospace & Structural Engineering

Lead author: Muhammad Naufal Mohd Najib (UiTM Shah Alam)

Ever wondered how engineers know a composite aircraft panel won’t buckle before it’s even built? 🛩️

This study combines computer simulation (FEA) with intelligent prediction models to answer exactly that, without needing massive amounts of costly testing and simulations

🔹 Highlights:
✅ Hybrid graphite/glass laminates combine the high stiffness of graphite with the cost-efficiency of glass fibres.
✅ Plate thickness showed the strongest influence on buckling resistance.
✅ A 45° fibre orientation produced the highest buckling loads in several configurations.
✅ Reliable predictive models were developed using only 27 DOE-based simulation runs.
✅ RSM produced more consistent predictions, while ANN performance improved with better data treatment and larger datasets.

Conclusion: The study supports the idea that accurate predictive modelling can reduce reliance on extensive experiments/ simulations for safer structural design.

📌 Read more:https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/129754/1/129754.pdf

⚙️ JMechE Weekly Sharing – Vol. 23(1) 2026

Category: Automotive Engineering & Data Science

Lead author: C. H. Chin (UKM Bangi)

How can engineers predict the durability of automotive suspension systems more efficiently? 🚗📊

This study applied wavelet-based signal processing techniques to identify fatigue-damaging load segments in automobile coil springs under different road conditions.

🔹 Highlights:
✅ Applied wavelet analysis to identify fatigue-relevant loading signals.
✅ Reduced unnecessary signal components for more efficient fatigue analysis.
✅ Improved durability assessment of automobile coil springs under random road excitations.
✅ Demonstrated the effectiveness of fatigue data editing and signal reconstruction techniques.

Conclusion:
Wavelet-based fatigue analysis offers a promising approach for improving durability prediction and accelerating automotive component assessment.

Read more:https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/129752/1/129752.pdf

⚙️ JMechE Weekly Sharing – Vol. 23(1) 2026

Category: Smart Manufacturing & Advanced Materials

Lead author: Nornisaadila Musa (UiTM Shah Alam)

Can forging improve the quality of 3D-printed aluminium parts? 🔩🤖

A recent study explored a hybrid manufacturing approach by combining Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) with in-process forging for ER5356 aluminium alloy. The findings show significant improvements in the internal structure and overall quality of the printed material.

🔹 Highlights:
✅ Reduced Porosity: Forging helped decrease internal pores, improving structural integrity.
✅ Refined Microstructure: Large columnar grains transformed into a finer and more uniform grain structure.
✅ Improved Texture Distribution: Reduced texture concentration may contribute to more consistent mechanical behaviour.
✅ Lightweight Engineering Potential: ER5356 aluminium alloy offers a strong strength-to-weight advantage for industrial applications.

Conclusion:
Hybrid WAAM-forging demonstrates strong potential for producing higher-quality aluminium components with improved microstructural characteristics, supporting future advancements in aerospace, automotive, and advanced manufacturing industries.

📌 Read more:https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/129750/1/129750.pdf

⚙️ JMechE Weekly Sharing – Vol. 23(1) 2026

Category: Thermal and Power Engineering

Lead author: Mohd Fahmi Md Salleh (UiTM Johor)

Could "Rotating Detonation" be the future of rocket engines?🚀🔥

Traditional engines burn fuel relatively slowly, but a Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE) uses supersonic waves to burn fuel almost instantly, making it much more powerful and efficient.

🔹 Highlights:
✅ Speed of Sound: The engine creates waves that travel at a staggering 1400 meters per second.
✅ Tiny but Mighty: This experimental engine is only 20 mm wide, designed for compact drones or small satellites.
✅ Clean Fuel: Uses a mix of Methane and Oxygen to create high-intensity thrust.
✅ Advanced Research: The study found that increasing fuel flow is the key to keeping the detonation wave stable.

Conclusion:
By mastering the power of detonation, we are building engines that are faster, smaller, and more fuel-efficient.

📌 Read more:https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/129748/1/129748.pdf

⚙️ JMechE Weekly Sharing – Vol. 23(1) 2026

Category: Advanced Manufacturing & Design of Experiments (DOE)

Lead author: Abdul Malik Hussein Abdul Jalil from Caidmark Sdn Bhd, Shah Alam.

Can 3D-printed parts be strong enough for aircraft? ✈️🤖

This study explores the best ways to print curved panels, like those found on drone wings, to ensure they don't snap under pressure.

🔹 Highlights:
✅ The Challenge: Curved surfaces and "notches" (holes) usually create weak points in 3D prints.
✅ Smart Testing: Using the "Taguchi Method" to find the perfect balance of speed and density without wasting material.
✅ Top Factor: High infill density and specific patterns were found to be the secrets to maximum strength.
✅ Real-World Use: These findings help make 3D-printed drones and prototypes safer and more durable.

Conclusion:
Mastering the settings is just as important as the material itself when it comes to high-performance 3D printing.

📌 Read more:https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/129744/1/129744.pdf

⚙️ JMechE Weekly Sharing – Vol. 23(1) 2026

Category: Safety Engineering & Structural Integrity

Lead author: Etimad Eyvazov - Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction

How do tiny cracks lead to big disasters? 🏗️⚠️

In engineering, hidden defects like elliptical holes or linear cracks can weaken even the strongest materials. This study develops a new way to map these stresses before failure happens.

🔹 Highlights:
✅ Safety First: The research focuses on preventing "catastrophic failures" by studying how stress clusters around defects.
✅ Math in Action: Uses advanced "conformal mapping" to solve problems that were previously too complex for research.
✅ Better Design: These findings help engineers build more stable structures by predicting where a part might snap.
✅ Real-World Impact: Essential for the aerospace, construction, and logistics industries.

Conclusion:
By mastering the math behind material defects, we can build a safer world, one structure at a time.

📌 Read more:https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/129746/1/129746.pdf

⚙️ JMechE Weekly Sharing – Vol. 23(1) 2026

Category: Future Fuels & Smart Tech

Can AI make our engines cleaner? 🌍🤖

This study uses "Smart Brains" (Artificial Neural Networks) to optimize how hydrogen and biodiesel are burned in a modern engine.

🔹 Highlights:
✅ Green Combo: Mixing Hydrogen with Palm Oil-based biodiesel to cut down on pollution.
✅ AI Optimization: Using advanced algorithms to decide the exact millisecond to inject fuel.
✅ Cleaner Air: The results show a massive drop in smoke and harmful gases.
✅ High Performance: Proves that we don't have to sacrifice power to be eco-friendly.

Conclusion:
The future of the automotive industry is a mix of green fuels and intelligent AI!

📌 Read more:
https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/129755/1/129755.pdf

⚙️ JMechE Weekly Sharing – Vol. 23(1) 2026

Category: Material Science

Can we make carbon fiber and aluminum work better together? 💎

Carbon fibers are incredibly strong, but they don't always "stick" well to metals. This study shows how a thin layer of nickel plating acts as the perfect "bridge".

🔹 Highlights:
✅ Coating fibers in nickel helps them bond perfectly with molten aluminum.
✅ Results in materials that are tough enough for aerospace but light enough for high-performance cars.
✅ The new composite handles friction and wear much better than standard alloys.
✅ Uses advanced microscopy to prove the success of the coating process.

Conclusion:
Small changes at the surface level lead to massive leaps in material performance!

📌 Read more:
https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/129753/1/129753.pdf

⚙️ JMechE Weekly Sharing – Vol. 23(1) 2026

Category: Welding & Fabrication

How do we ensure stainless steel joints are strong enough for industrial use? 🏗️✨

This study takes a deep dive into TIG Spot Welding and finds the "perfect recipe" for joining AISI 304 stainless steel.

🔹 Highlights:
✅ The research tested currents ranging from 45A to 90A to see which performs best.
✅ It shows how heat changes the inside of the metal at a microscopic level.
✅ These findings help engineers and manufacturers build safer, more reliable equipment.
✅ A step-by-step look at how welding time and electrode gaps influence joint quality.

Conclusion:
Great engineering starts with understanding the small details, even at the microscopic level.

📌 Read more:
https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/129751/1/129751.pdf

⚙️ JMechE Weekly Sharing – Vol. 23(1) 2026
Category: Sustainable Materials & Corrosion Engineering

Did you know that peanut shells could help save our infrastructure? 🥜⚙️

Corrosion is a major issue that limits how long industrial steel can last. This new study explores using Arachis hypogaea (peanut shell) extract as a natural way to stop AISI 1020 steel from corroding in harsh, alkaline environments.

🔹 Highlights:
✅ Waste-to-Resource: Turning agricultural by-products into industrial-grade corrosion inhibitors.
✅ Sustainable Maintenance: Proving that we can protect metals without relying on toxic chemicals.
✅ Data-Driven: The research meticulously tests how different extract concentrations and soak times affect metal protection.

Conclusion:
By embracing nature-inspired engineering, we are moving toward a more sustainable and greener future for our industries.

📌 Read more:
https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/129749/1/129749.pdf