Mechanical Engineering
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- ItemSafety procedures for handling electric and hybrid vehicles in maintenance centers in Palestine(2026-02-16) Deiaa Abu Hadeed; Mohammad Rahhal; Yahya JebreenSummary Proposal for a Palestinian Standard for Safe Handling of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles in Maintenance Centers With the rapid transition towards electromobility in Palestine, driven primarily by high fuel costs, the importation of Electric (EV) and Hybrid (HEV) vehicles has outpaced the development of local safety regulations. This regulatory gap exposes technicians in maintenance centers to life-threatening hazards, including high-voltage electrocution (up to 800V DC), arc flashes, and thermal runaway fires. This study aims to assess the readiness of the Palestinian automotive sector and draft a national safety standard to mitigate these risks. The research adopts a mixed-method approach, combining a comparative analysis of international standards (NFPA 70E, ISO 6469-3) with a field survey of 100 technicians across major Palestinian governorates. The assessment reveals critical deficiencies in safety infrastructure and competency: 92% of workshops lack essential "Rescue Hooks," 82% do not have a designated outdoor "Quarantine Zone" for damaged batteries, and 58% of technicians rely on informal sources, such as YouTube, for safety training. Furthermore, 78% of respondents identified the high cost of equipment as the primary barrier to compliance. Based on these findings, the study developed a comprehensive "Proposed Palestinian Standard (PPS)" that defines mandatory facility zoning, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements (specifically Class 0 gloves), and a strict "High Voltage De-energization Protocol." The research concludes with urgent recommendations for the Palestine Standards Institution (PSI) and the Ministry of Transport to adopt this proposal as a binding regulation for workshop licensing, alongside financial incentives to support facility upgrades. Keywords: Electric and Hybrid Vehicles (EVs/HEVs); High Voltage Safety; Automotive Maintenance; Occupational Hazards; Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- ItemThe Future of Human-Machine Interaction – A Gesture-Controlled Humanoid Robotic Hand(2026-02-15) Malak K. Takruri; Mohammad Najjar; Moaid Ma'aniProject Abstract (English) This project presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of a gesture-controlled robotic hand intended to enable intuitive human–machine interaction (HMI) using low-cost and commercially available components. The system integrates wearable sensing, embedded signal processing, wireless communication, and electromechanical actuation. How it Works: Sensing: Finger motion is captured using resistive flex sensors mounted on a wearable glove. Processing: An Arduino Uno microcontroller samples the sensor data through a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC). Communication: The digitized data is transmitted wirelessly via HC-05 Bluetooth modules. Actuation: A receiving microcontroller decodes the data and generates Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) signals to control servo motors, reproducing the user’s gestures in real time. Results: The experimental evaluation demonstrated stable operation with an end-to-end latency below 250 ms. The results confirm the feasibility of using simple sensing techniques for effective robotic control, providing a foundation for future applications in assistive robotics and human–robot interaction research.
- ItemElectric Vehicle Inspection and Public Safety: Policies and protocols in Palestine(2026-02-08) Waleed Abu Hashieh; Abd Alla Dwikat; Khaled Abu Hashieh; Thabet QuqaAbstract With the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), ensuring their safety and roadworthiness is crucial for public safety and environmental sustainability. This project outlines a comprehensive inspection program which aims to evaluate EVs’ performance, structural integrity, and compliance with safety regulations. This project aims to ensure public safety by conducting thorough inspections to prevent accidents related to battery failures, electrical faults, and mechanical issues. It also aims to identify potential issues that could affect the vehicle’s efficiency, battery life, or overall functionality. Furthermore, to ensure that EVs meet national and international safety standards and inspection criteria within the regulatory compliance and protocols. The work in this project included an extensive literature review and field studies on the current status of electric vehicle regulations and safety protocols. The study focused on battery health and performance, electrical system integrity, brake and suspension systems, software and firmware updates, and structural integrity and crash safety. The project plan was implemented through cooperation between government agencies, automotive experts, and the public to ensure long-term effectiveness. The plan included establishing inspection centers, training inspectors, and applying mandatory periodic inspections. Public awareness campaigns were conducted, and collaboration with manufacturers and relevant authorities was strengthened. As a result, the project contributed to reducing electric vehicle–related accidents and improving vehicle efficiency and lifespan. Implementing the proposed plan helped increase consumer confidence in electric vehicle safety. It contributed to improving road safety, protecting consumers, and supporting the transition toward environmentally friendly transportation. In addition, the plan supported the development of a safer and more sustainable transportation system in Palestine.
- ItemCFD Investigation and Comparative Study of Three Regenerative Cooling Models for the Raptor Engine Bell Nozzle(2025-10-23) Emam Omar; Hamzah Odeh; ALi JaaraABSTRACT A two-dimensional investigation and comparison study was conducted for three models of the Raptor bell-shaped nozzle from SpaceX. The geometry was drawn using SolidWorks and the (CFD) analysis was performed using ANSYS Fluent Solver. Based on the Fluent data, the results of the flow characteristics inside the rocket nozzle and the heat transfer analysis results were presented using MATLAB. The study compared three models, a model without regenerative cooling channel, a model with a conventional regenerative cooling channel, and a modified model with a regenerative coolant inlet located near the nozzle throat. The results generally confirmed the effectiveness of the regenerative cooling channels in significantly reducing the nozzle wall temperatures by 80-95% at different sections of the nozzle. The results also showed that the third model outperformed the second model in reducing the wall temperatures of the throat section, convergent section, combustion chamber section, and parts of divergent section up to 1.1 meters. In the throat section, the cooling percentage of the third model was 89.17%, with a better difference approximately 3.12% compared to the second model. In other words, the second model achieved 86.38% throat cooling. ii
- ItemDesign and fabrication of a pilot wind turbine(2025-07-14) Qusay Mansour; Qais Awartani; Akram Alkhateeb; Waseem IshtayehIn response to the growing demand for clean energy and the global shift toward sustainable development, this project presents the design, fabrication, and feasibility analysis of a Savonius vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT), designed for the wind conditions in Nassariyah, Palestine. The turbine features an S-shaped rotor design designed using SolidWorks, with key geometric parameters—such as aspect ratio, overlap ratio, and endplate dimensions—optimized based on a comprehensive literature review. The system was physically fabricated and field-tested, demonstrating promising performance at rotation speeds of up to 1,500 rpm under moderate wind speeds. Economically, the turbine generates an annual net return of NIS 4,884, with a payback period of only 2.6 years, resulting in a net profit of NIS 84,680 over a 20-year lifespan. This study highlights the feasibility of small-scale wind energy systems in rural Palestinian areas, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution to the region's energy challenges.