PREFACE The total number of publications for the same period stood at 457 from across AIT. Reinforcing AIT’s continued commitment to enhancing the quality of its research. This clearly indicates the strength of its research output and the clear alignment of the institutions research activities in the thematic areas of focus towards its strategic priority of playing the leading role in the region’s sustainable development. The year saw AIT being successful in achieving its objective of consolidating the institute’s research efforts and broadening of its networks and partnerships. This provided the platform to discuss and launch shared initiatives and pool resources to effectively address the rapidly changing needs of the region. AIT research has maintained being the important value addition to its diverse academic offerings. This has helped the students to be more actively involved and The Asian Institute of Technology is pleased to release obtain the much needed exposure to help broaden their the Report on Annual Research 2013 which provides a horizons of knowledge. consolidated overview of the research activities conducted across the institute during the year. We look forward to create a distinct profile for Asian Institute of Technology in the niche areas of our strength The year witnesses a renewed vigor despite the within the research agenda. And to conclude, I would like adversities and challenges to ensure the continuity of the take this opportunity to thank all AIT faculty, staff, and research and development agenda through the whole- students for their whole hearted efforts in achieving our hearted commitment of its faculty and staff towards collective goals. achieving the project objectives and activities. Overall, during the period January to December 2013, a Professor Kanchana Kanchanasut total of 495 sponsored and contracted projects including Vice President for Research capacity building activities with a total budgeted value of 1.9 billion THB were conducted by the faculty and staff from within the Fields of Study (FoS) of the three schools; School of Engineering and Technology (SET), School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD), and School of Management (SOM), as well as at AIT Extension, Internet Education and Research Laboratory (IntERLab) and Institute-wide projects. Annual Report on Research 2013 | i While the number of research projects and related funding has nearly doubled, based on year 2005, in the last two years this has leveled off. The reasons for this include smaller number of research faculty and staff, closing down of some major long term projects, needs to win projects in competition, changing demands and mode of operation of funding agencies, etc. This strengthens our belief to form larger interdisciplinary teams and need for partnerships. This is a challenge which all sectors of AIT are facing up to and will most certainly overcome. We take this opportunity to thank all faculties, staff, students and indeed all stake holders who made it possible for us to bring financial stability to the institute. With the institute on the verge of becoming formally and international-intergovernmental organization and a number of initiatives being planned, it is hoped the institute will be able to sustain itself into the next 50 years. We look forward to increased collaboration and partnership to expand the knowledge base we have created and improve the quality of life of those who those most need it. Professor Sudip K Rakshit Vice President for Research 21st June, 2011 Annual Report on Research 2013 | ii TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….......................................... i Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………….. 1 Chapter 2: RESEARCH STATISTICS AND TRENDS, 2005-2012………………………………………………………………………..……………… 2 Chapter 3: SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5 Chapter 3.2: SET-COMPUTER SCIENCE AND INFORMATION FIELD OF STUDY……………………………………………………………… 8 Chapter 3.3: SET-CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING AND INFARSTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT FIELD OF STUDY…….…………. 13 Chapter 3.4: SET-GEOTECHNICAL & GEOTECHNICAL EARTH RESOURCES ENGINEERING FIELD OF STUDY………………….. 18 Chapter 3.5: SET-INDUSTRIAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING FIELD OF STUDY……………………………….……………… 23 Chapter 3.6: SET-MECHATRONICS AND MICROELECTRONICS & EMBEDDED SYSTEMS FIELDS OF STUDY…….……………… 28 Chapter 3.7: SET-NANITECHNOLOGY FIELD OF STUDY………………………………………………………………………………………………… 32 Chapter 3.8: SET-REMOTE SENSING AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS FIELD OF STUDY………………….…………. 36 Chapter 3.9: SET-STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING FIELD OF STUDY………………………………………………………………………………….. 41 Chapter 3.10: SET-TELECOMMUNICATION FIELD OF STUDY……………………………………………………………………………………….. 45 Chapter 3.11: SET-TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING FIELD OF STUDY………………….………………………………………….…………. 48 Chapter 3.12: SET-WATER ENGINEERING AND MANGEMENT FIELD OF STUDY…………………………………………….…………….. 51 Chapter 3.13: SET-INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES FIELD OF STUDY…….………………………………. 59 Chapter 3.14: SET-OFFSHORE TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM……………………………….……………………….….. 61 Chapter 4: SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENT, RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT………………………………………………………….……… 63 Chapter 4.2: SERD-AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS AND ENGINEERING FIELD OF STUDY…………………………………………………….. 65 Chapter 4.3: SERD-AQUACULTURE AND AQUATIC RESOURCES MANAGEMENT FIELD OF STUDY………………………….……. 69 Chapter 4.4: SERD-ENERGY FIELD OF STUDY………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 72 Chapter 4.5: SERD-ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT FIELD OF STUDY…………………………………….…. 78 Chapter 4.6: SERD-FOOD ENGINEERING AND BIOPROCESS TECHNOLOGY FIELD OF STUDY………………………………….…….. 88 Chapter 4.7: SERD-GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES FIELD OF STUDY…………………………………………………............... 93 Chapter 4.8: SERD-NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT FIELD OF STUDY……………………………………………………………….. 99 Chapter 4.9: SERD-PULP AND PAPER TECHNOLOGY FIELD OF STUDY………………………………………………………………….………. 103 Chapter 4.10: SERD-REGIONAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING FIELD OF STUDY………………………………............. 105 Chapter 4.11: SERD-URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FIELD OF STUDY…………………………………………….………….. 108 Chapter 4.12: SERD-AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM…………………………………………………………………………….……. 112 Chapter 4.13: SERD-DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, MITIGATION AND AREA OF STUDY……………………………………………………. 115 Chapter 5: SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 119 Chapter 6: AIT EXTENSION………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 131 Chapter 7: INTERNET EDUCATION AND RESEARCH LABORATORY (intERLab)………………………………………………….............. 139 Chapter 8: AIT-VIETNAM…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 142 Chapter 9: CENTER OF EXCELLENCE ON SUSTANABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE CLIMATE CHANGE (Coe SDCC)…………….. 154 Chapter 10: INSTITUTE-WIDE SPONSORED AND CONTRACTED PROJECTS………………………………………………………………….. 156 Chapter 10.1: GRANTS AND SPONSORED RESEARCH COMPLETED IN 2012…………………………………………………………… 156 Chapter 10.2: ONGOINGS AND SPONSORED RESEARCH……………………………………………………………………………………….. 156 Chapter 11: OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES FOR 2012 ……………………………………………………………………………………… 158 Annual Report on Research 2013 | iv Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 AIT Mission A hub for the implementation of regional/transnational research projects, and a research facility for academic The Asian Institute of Technology promotes technological professionals. The hub will network with other change and sustainable development in the Asian-Pacific academic and research institutions in the region and the region through higher education, research and outreach. world. Established in Bangkok in 1959, AIT has become a leading regional postgraduate institution and is actively working with A model international citizen. public and private sector partners throughout the region and with some of the top universities in the world. A collaborator and partner of national postgraduate institutions. Recognized for its multinational, multi- cultural ethos, the Institute operates as a self-contained international community A financially viable, self-sustaining institution, able to at its campus located 40 km (25 miles) north of Bangkok, draw support from donors, the private sector and Thailand. individuals, with good governance and strong leadership. Besides the usual laboratories and academic buildings, the main campus includes housing, sports, and medical facilities, a A strong partner to its alumni, who are principal conference center, and a library with over 230,000 volumes stakeholders through the AIT Alumni Association (AITAA) and 830 print and on-line periodicals. All serve to fulfill the AIT mission to develop highly qualified and committed professionals who play leading roles in the region’s sustainable development and its integration into the global economy. 1.2 AIT Vision To become a leading and unique regional multicultural institution of higher learning, offering state-of-the-art education, research and training in technology, management and societal development. With this clear, timeless vision, the multi-skilled team of students, faculty and staff at AIT are set to continuously strengthen the institution by becoming A trailblazer in advanced education in the region, with leadership in IT and new types of multidisciplinary programs. An exemplary institution, with an emphasis on academic quality in terms of courses and other aspects of the operation. A leader in professional development programs. Annual Report on Research 2013 | 1 Chapter