Tag Archives: Pakistan

IMS knows how to serve in face of modern challenges
An exchange with Engr. Mairaj Asghar,
Manager Maintenance looking after
maintenance department at IMS Engineering

on 20/06/2023

Engr. Mairaj Asghar, : A rise in temperatures means a rise in the use of HVACR equipment and it thus accelerates the maintenance requirement of the systems. We all know the installation of BMS is meant to provide a comfort zone and simultaneously save energy. The maintenance of the systems is a must to synchronize the input with the output. We put our fullest effort into the maintenance of the system for achieving maximum output.
ER: In the current economic profile, the clients are forced to go for savings and many opt to hire cheaper services. What special services do you offer that they are forced to attract to you?
MA: There are two categories. One, who doesn’t think this way as they are informed ones who know very well about the benefits. They don’t opt for cheaper systems as they know they cannot get what they do with the smarter systems that we offer. However, we offer some relaxation to those who contemplate cheaper services or think of acquiring services from unauthorized companies. Of the latter, most of them give serious thought to our offer and agree to acquire better services. Since we are a 25-year experienced company with highly trained staff, the people find it harder to evade our services. Those who still turn hard nuts, also ultimately turn to us realizing they failed to get the maximum output required for their systems.
ER: In today’s supply chain issues how are you ensuring that the systems should function properly and services continue unhindered?
MA: This is a big challenge and we are enduring it for the last seven to eight months. Thanks to God, we were maintaining quite a stock that we used for the maintenance services. We maintain our inventory as well as request our clients to do it to some extent too, so that we keep our downtime at a minimum possible as keeping the system down affects the cost of production. Now the supply side has improved and we are receiving the materials but still, we maintain inventory.
ER: Temperatures continue to rise for Climate Change. How it is affecting HVACR and what challenges do you think are to come in the future?
MA: Since we offer control, we do not supply HVACR equipment but still, we are informed of these issues in the backdrop of climate change. We ask our clients to remain updated in the context of maintenance and updating of equipment. We suggest they maintain the systems for keeping up the schedule. This way we can continue with the system and avoid ill impacts.
ER: Tell us about the expansion of IMS and in which areas is it working
MA: IMS started with building management systems which also include controls, lighting controls, fire alarms, etc. We have now moved to the power sector and after taking over Schneider’s manufacturing division in Pakistan we are in the electric panels business and switchgears.
We now offer services in the textile sector, and pharma where we are very much in, then in the banking sector, the industrial sector in Port Qasim, where we are providing services in security and fire alarm systems.
ER: There is much talk about Make in Pakistan after our economy faced issues. What do you think as an engineer if we possess the capability to make all systems in Pakistan that we import?
MA: Surely we are capable to do it. People from here go abroad and serve these companies that export this equipment and systems to Pakistan. The issue is that the government should take it seriously as there is an industry that is serious to do it but the government has to take the initiative.
Either our own industry can start local manufacturing or foreign investors can be invited to do it in Pakistan but what we need is some serious steps on the part of the governments.

Geothermal cooling, heating being tipped off to brave climate change in Pakistan

on 20/06/2023

The world is witnessing two big changes, one is caused by climate change, and the other is a result of newer technologies. Jafri Associates has surely a reason to dwell upon these changes for over half a century of its life as a reputable company in Pakistan. Engr. Tanveer Jafri, leading the company after his father Engr. Syed Sibte Ahmed Jafri has plenty to talk about the said changes on our globe.
ER: How has climate change and eventual rising temperatures affected the thought process and design of the buildings in the world especially in Pakistan?
TJ: During its lifespan of half a century after its foundation by my father, Jafri Associates has worked in Europe and the US. This work is focused on the design of green buildings. This makes us a bit advanced in comparison to others in Pakistan. Normally, the lead design goes to minimize waste and is carbon neutral but now the fundamental change in building design emerging is load elimination. In other words, it is about bringing to an end the external electricity requirement of the building. It means a minimum possible dependence on the grid. It means it is time to go in the past and incorporate that technology in the design. Thus, the thermal load for HVAC turns minimal. In normal buildings, the dependence is on thermal load for maintaining the environment of the building, and in return, it pollutes the environment of the globe. Now natural resources are being tipped for incorporation into the buildings. To achieve this, engineers have to share techniques with the architects for incorporation into the buildings.
For instance, areas like Shahrah e Faisal of Karachi are so densely populated that there is no room to incorporate such techniques in the buildings. However, in New York, they have used a geothermal system and dug deep down to get water for chillers. Geothermal cooling and heating are also pos-
sible in Pakistan and also use renewable energy to make buildings and even homes carbon neutral.
The issue with solar and wind is how to get rid of scraps after the expiry of the equipment. We still have time to learn even if we install 10 thousand megawatts of solar and 50 thousand megawatts of wind then how we will deal with their scrap.
We have recently offered our two clients to eliminate 30 percent load of the buildings. Had I got more space I would have turned much of the HVAC off the grid. We have to be futuristic after all otherwise we will lag behind in the market.
We must know cooling system technologies are available and they can provide you steam. In Palestine, 90 percent of houses have solar hot water. This system did not succeed in Pakistan because the consultants did not design it. It was a make-shift solution offered by retailers and was doomed to fail. This is something that only consultants can do.
ER: How can we convince the industry to opt for the solutions that you are talking about? How can we amend the systems of the buildings that are already constructed in congested areas?
TJ: There are two important steps to be taken. One, the government should not permit split or window AC in any building more than four stories. Why? Because it increases the load and also increases fire hazard in the building. Two, the buildings in areas like I.I. Chundrigar Road of Karachi should be given a centralized HVAC system by acquiring land at the City Station Karachi. This should be done immediately as it will reduce energy consumption. In all big cities’ downtown areas, such centralised district systems are functioning. It reduces the energy consumption of the building by 40 to 60 percent.
ER: Do you see any collective effort to convince governments, developers, and the industry?
TJ: I must say every government tries to improve things, their departments do not start anything to do anything wrong. The issue is, the advisory channels fail to provide correct advice to them. There is a lack of true advisors in Pakistan and it is caused by the chain of education and jobs and thus the knowledge is blocked.
ER: You talked about knowledge, which is seen in the backdrop of AI and ChatGPT. How is it affecting consulting companies?
TJ: The core engineering including building design will be converted to AI within the next decade. We will put the data and will get the required complete design and other requirements. But the consultants who would not use AI and offer out-of-the-box solutions will beat AI-based output. Even if the industry or any individual uses Chatbot to design its building and hand it over to the contractor, they have to revert to a consultant when the building will start confronting issues. Suppose, even if we get everything from AI, understanding it and the execution will always remain with the engineer who after all has to educate in an engineering university where teachers are to educate undergraduates. AI is no doubt important. Jafri Associates is using it smartly and we need our intelligence to benefit from AI Technology which has to be adopted for increasing productivity.

Three Reasons
Why 28th HVACR expo is unique

on 20/06/2023

Organizers of the 28th Pakistan HVACR International Expo & Conference claim this moot is ‘a must-attend event’ for professionals and experts and the people associated with fields linked with the HVAC in the country. Also, they state they are introducing the Consultant & Architect Lounge for the first time in the history of the HVACR Expo.
These two merits of the event apart, this exhibition has surely a distinction of being the event turning into reality, three years after the Covid 19 Pandemic onslaught that transformed the world. Embedded with it is the effort and commitment of society’s Karachi leaders who made it a reality.
Now that the event is right on track again, Zeeshan Siddiqui, leader of the HVACR Society Karachi said they were striving to create a conducive atmosphere for local manufacturing and training of labor that is part of the agreement between the society and ASHRAE. Also, he said they along with ASHRAE are following global footprints of a bridge between industry and academia through planning for students and industry.
The organizers have allocated a complete hall for Make in Pakistan—the slogan that has attracted wide attention after the realization in every nook and corner of Pakistan. Although how will it be a reality is a question, a deep desire is being realized in the industry and academia as well as in the government circles.
In the exhibition, the professionals have cutting-edge Technology for immersing in a world of advanced HVACR technology, from smart thermostats and energy-efficient systems to intelligent controls and sustainable solutions.
Exhibition highlights that the organizers have communicated talk about the international style registration area which is provided for easy and swift visitor registration at the Venue. Further, the Online Registration option is already available on the society’s website.
The exhibition is promoting the local manufacturer to promote ‘Made in Pakistan’ slogan. Besides, Made in Pakistan Pavilion will be available for our valued manufacturer, the statement issued by the society says. ‘First time in the history of HVACR Expo, we are introducing the Consultant & Architect Lounge. AHRI USA, Team will do an online presentation and emphasize the importance of 3rd Party AHRI Certification for the benefit of local manufacturers and end users.’
Other highlights include: Showcase of a wide range of products, equipment, and technologies in air conditioning, refrigeration, ventilation, and related fields, live demonstrations and interactive displays to showcase innovative solutions and products, opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and building connections with industry professionals and stakeholders.
Concurrently, ASHRAE Pakistan Chapter is organizing the Conference in which high-level sessions featuring renowned distinguished lecturers from the USA, UAE, and Lebanon and industry experts are included. Also, panel discussions, presentations, and technical sessions addressing key industry challenges are part of the plan.
These sessions are focusing on emerging technologies, sustainability, energy efficiency, and industry advancements.

Applications of Energy under Nanotechnology

on 20/06/2023

The use of smaller-sized materials in nanotechnology enables adjustments to be made at the nanoscale level, which can further improve the mechanical qualities of materials or provide access to bodily regions that are more difficult to reach physically. The ability of nanotechnology to view and manipulate the material world at a nanoscopic level can hold significant promise for the advancement of construction. Construction materials including cement, steel, wood, and glass can all benefit from nanotechnology’s increased strength and tensile durability. Nanotechnology can be used to give materials a variety of new features. A new generation of materials with characteristics such as water resistance, self-cleaning property, wear resistance, and corrosion protection are produced as a result of the discovery of a highly ordered crystal nanostructure of amorphous C-S-H gel and the application of photocatalyst and coating technology. High-strength fibres with extraordinary energy absorption capabilities and superplasticizers for concrete are two examples of the latest nanoengineered polymers.
The capacity for using hydrogen energy has increased thanks to nanotechnology. Despite not being an energy source in and of themselves, hydrogen fuel cells enable the environmentally beneficial storage of energy from solar energy and other renewable sources with no CO2 emissions. Traditional hydrogen fuel cells have a number of problems, including the fact that they are expensive and not strong enough for commercial applications. However, the durability and cost greatly increase with time when nanoparticles are used. Additionally, researchers have shown that nanoblades can store more hydrogen than regular fuel cells, which can then be kept inside carbon nanotubes for long-term storage. Conventional fuel cells, on the other hand, are too big to be stored in bulk.
Nanofabrication, or the process of designing and fabricating devices on the nanoscale, is a significant area of nanotechnology that is related to energy. The creation of novel methods to capture, store, and transfer energy is made possible by the development of devices smaller than 100 nanometers. Many of the world’s current energy-related concerns can only be solved with increased nanofabrication technology precision. The most practical usage of silicon-based nano semiconductors is in solar energy, and they are also the subject of intensive research at numerous institutions, including Kyoto University. They employ silicon nanoparticles to absorb a wider range of electromagnetic spectrum frequencies. This can be accomplished by scattering numerous similar silicon rods across the surface at regular intervals. To achieve the optimum outcomes, the spacing’s height and length must also be tuned. Due to the way the silicon particles are arranged, solar energy can be absorbed by a variety of different particles, activating electrons and converting a significant portion of it into heat. The heat can then be transformed into electricity.
The production of waste heat as a byproduct of combustion is a significant problem with contemporary energy production. This frequently occurs in internal combustion engines. About 64% of the energy in gasoline is lost as heat in internal combustion engines, thus reducing this loss alone might have a sizable economic benefit. It has, however, turned out to be quite challenging to make this improvement to the internal combustion engine without sacrificing performance. By using molecularly tuned catalysts, polymer membranes, and enhanced fuel storage, increasing the efficiency of fuel cells through the application of nanotechnology becomes increasingly likely. These catalysts are very vulnerable to carbon monoxide reactions, though. Alcohols or hydrocarbon compounds are utilized to reduce the system’s carbon monoxide concentration in order to combat this. Using nanotechnology, catalysts can be built by nanofabrication that minimize incomplete combustion and so decrease the amount of carbon monoxide, boosting the efficiency of the process.

International Symposium on AI and Robotics by IEEE Computer Society and
University of Karachi

on 20/06/2023

The International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics was successfully put on by the IEEE Computer Society Karachi Section, the University of Karachi, and eSpark. The two-day symposium, which took place on May 15 and 16, 2023, gathered together eminent specialists, business titans, and academics to talk about the most recent advancements, their implications, and emerging trends in computer science and technology, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.
The symposium’s opening day was devoted to studying artificial intelligence. Along with the chief guest, Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman, eminent speakers like Dr. Sadiq Ali Khan, Prof. Dr. Tariq Raheem Soomro, Mr. Huzaifa Ali, Prof. Dr. Samina Bano, and Prof. Dr. Khalid Mahmood Iraqi were invited as guest speakers. Dr. M. Sadiq Ali Khan gave the symposium its official inauguration. Dr. M. Sadiq emphasised the significance of AI and its potential to influence the future while highlighting the University of Karachi and the IEEE Computer Society Karachi Section’s contributions to the advancement of AI and technology.
Throughout the day, a number of eminent speakers shared their knowledge and perspectives. In his discussion on the IEEE Computer Society’s significance in the field of artificial intelligence, Prof. Dr. Tariq Raheem Soomro emphasised the organization’s major contributions to research and publications. The Dean of the Faculty of Sciences, Prof. Dr. Samina Bano, discussed the differences between artificial intelligence and natural intelligence while urging cooperation to improve AI and realise its full potential. Vice Chancellor of the University of Karachi, Prof. Dr. Khalid Mahmood Iraqi, emphasised the significance of the symposium and its function in fostering a technological environment conducive to the growth of AI.
The keynote address by Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman, a former Federal Minister of Science and Technology and Chairman HEC, was the event’s high point. Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman provided a thorough examination of the distinctions between artificial intelligence and natural intelligence, illuminating the significant economic impact that AI is anticipated to have on the world at large. He also spoke about ChatGPT’s applications and the advancements it has made in AI, particularly in the fields of energy, agriculture, and healthcare.
The symposium resumed on day two with a roster of knowledgeable speakers from Pakistan and overseas. An innovative remote discussion on AI that takes inspiration from biology was delivered by famous roboticist Ronald C. Arkin of the Georgia Institute of Technology. While Faizan-ur-Rehman enthralled the audience with his insights on IoT smart devices for home automation, S.M. Aqil Burney investigated the integration of soft computing and machine learning in robotics. The most recent advances in AI were reviewed by Yasar Ayaz, and the relationship between intelligence levels and the harmony of logic and intuition was covered by Prof. Dr. Shahab Ahmed Siddiqui.
The CASE Institute of Technology’s chancellor, Dr. Shoab Ahmed Khan, gave an enlightening speech on the future effects of AI and the interconnectedness of technology. A Grandmaster on Kaggle and the Chief AI Officer of Proxima AI, Adnan Zaidi shared helpful advice for budding data scientists while highlighting the importance of AI in skill development. R&D Manager Rawidean Kassim at the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems concentrated on the use of wireless sensor networks and the Internet of Things in smart agriculture.
An awards ceremony honouring exceptional achievements in the fields of artificial intelligence and robotics marked the end of the International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. Without a doubt, the symposium was successful in encouraging cooperation, encouraging the exchange of ideas, and educating attendees about the enormous potential that AI and robotics have for the future.
The dedicated work of the organising committee, the backing of the sponsors, and the excitement and participation of the attendees all contributed to the event’s success. The International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics will be remembered for years to come, since it forever changed Pakistan’s technical landscape and paved the way for new developments.