Dr. Alex Mason, BSc, PhD, PGCE, FHEA, MIET.
Rm 2.01 Peter Jost Enterprise Centre
The School of Built Environment
Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool
L3 3AF
T: +441512312847 E: A.Mason1@ljmu.ac.uk
Career / Education History
2010-Present; Senior Lecturer in The School of Built Environment, Liverpool John Moores University.
2010-2011; PGCert in Higher Education, Liverpool John Moores University.
2008-2010; Research Assistant in Non-Invasive Microwave SensingTechniques, Liverpool John Moores University.
2005-2008; PhD in Wireless Sensor Networks and their Industrial Applications, Liverpool John Moores University.
2002-2005; BSc in Computer and Multimedia Systems, University of Liverpool.
Research Interests
Wireless sensor networks(WSN) and systems
Environmental and structural health monitoring
Microwave sensor applications for industry, medical and defence applications
Asset tracking technologies and supply chain management
Current Research Projects
Development of a compact low power EM wave
based health monitoring system for military platforms.
Non-invasive monitoring in healthcare.
Wireless sensor hardware / software platform development for various future applications.
Online monitoring of waste water for phosphate content.
Optimisation of gasification processes through automation and control.
Assisting Dr Andy Shaw with Carbon Monoxide monitoring in UK homes, in association with Merseyside and Coventry Fire Services.
Funding
Dstl, " Development of a compact low power EM wave
based health monitoring system for military platforms", awarded January 2012.
LJMU Faculty "Pump Priming" Grant, awarded October 2011.
UK-to-NZ Advanced Sensors and Imaging Mission, awarded July 2011.
LJMU Faculty "Pump Priming" Grant, awarded December 2010.
Royal Society Travel Grant, awarded July 2010.
Thesis Works
An Investigation of Student Preparedness for the PhD Viva Voce Examination, PGCE, 2011.
Wireless Sensor Networks and their Industrial Applications, PhD, 2008.
L. E. Cordova-Lopez, A. Mason, A. Shaw, and A. I. Al-Shamma’a, "Urban Emissions Monitoring at the Vehicle Level," in Smart Sensing Technology for Agriculture and Environmental Monitoring. vol. 146, S. C. Mukhopadhyay, Ed., ed: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2012, pp. 249-268.
O. Korostynska, A. Mason, and A. I. Al-Shamma’a, "Monitoring of Nitrates and Phosphates in Wastewater: Current Technologies and Further Challenges," International Journal on Smart Sensing and Intelligent Systems, vol. 5, pp. 149-176, March 2012.
A. Mason, A. Shaw, and A. Al-Shamma’a, "Peer-to-peer inventory management of returnable transport items: A design science approach," Computers in Industry, vol. 63, pp. 265-274, 2012.
J. H. Goh, A. Mason, A. I. Al-Shamma’a, M. Field, and P. Browning, "Lactate Detection Using Microwave Spectroscopy for In-Situ Medical Applications," International Journal on Smart Sensing and Intelligent Systems, vol. 4, pp. 338-352, September 2011.
A. Mason, A. Shaw, and A. I. Al-Shamma’a, "Improving the Energy Efficiency of Wireless Sensors through Smart Antenna Design," in New Developments and Applications in Sensing Technology. vol. 83, S. C. Mukhopadhyay, et al., Eds., ed: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2011, pp. 15-37.
A. Mason, S. Wylie, A. Thomas, H. Keele, A. Shaw, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "HEPA Filter Material Load Detection Using a Microwave Cavity Sensor," International Journal on Smart Sensing and Intelligent Systems, vol. 3, pp. 322-337, 2010.
A. Mason, A. I. Al-Shamma'a, and A. Shaw, "Inventory Management in The Packaged Gas Industry Using Wireless Sensor Networks" in Advances in Wireless Sensors and Sensor Networks. vol. 64, Subhas Chandra Mukhopadhyay and H. Leung, Eds., 1st ed: Springer, 2010, pp. 75-100.
Conference Publications
2012:
N. Al-Dasoqi, A. Mason, R. Al-Khaddar, A. Shaw, A.I. Al-Shamma’a, The design and implementation of real-time microwave sensor for wastewater nutrient detection, in: World Environmental & Water Resources Congress, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2012.
A. A. Abdou, A. Shaw, S. Wylie, A. Mason, J. D. Cullen, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "ANTENNAS EXPERIMENT, DESIGN AND SIMULATION FOR UNDERWATER EM WAVE PROPAGATION AT ISM FREQUENCY BANDS," presented at the Built Environment and Natural Environment (BEAN) 2012, Liverpool, UK, 2012.
B. Kabalan, A. Mason, A. Shaw, and A. I. Al-Shamma’a, "THE EFFECTS OF PARAMETERS CHANGING ON SYNGAS PRODUCTION USING MICROWAVE PLASMA GASIFICATION SYSTEM," presented at the Built Environment and Natural Environment (BEAN) 2012, Liverpool, UK, 2012.
N. Al-Dasoqi, A. Mason, R. Al-Khaddar, and A. I. Al-Shamma’a, "DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A REAL-TIME MICROWAVE SENSOR FOR MONITORING NUTRIENT LEVELS IN THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PROCESS," presented at the Built Environment and Natural Environment (BEAN) 2012, Liverpool, UK, 2012.
O. Korostynska, A. Mason, and A. I. Al-Shamma’a, "MULTI SENSOR FUSION FOR REAL-TIME MONITORING OF WASTEWATER QUALITY: WATER-SPOTCHECK PROJECT," presented at the Built Environment and Natural Environment (BEAN) 2012, Liverpool, UK, 2012.
R. T. Blakey, A. Mason, A. I. Al-Shamma’a, C. E. Rolph, and G. Bond, "DIELECTRIC CHARACTERISATION OF LIPID DROPLET SUSPENSIONS USING THE SMALL PERTURBATION TECHNIQUE," presented at the Built Environment and Natural Environment (BEAN) 2012, Liverpool, UK, 2012.
2011:
R. T. Blakey, A. Mason, A. I. Al-Shamma’a, C. E. Rolph, and G. Bond, "Dielectric characteristics of lipid droplets suspended in YEPD media," presented at the Fifth International Conference on Sensing Technology, Palmerston North, New Zealand, 2011.
J. H. Goh, A. Mason, A. I. Al-Shamma’a, S. Wylie, M. Field, and P. Brown, "Lactate Detection Using a Microwave Cavity Sensor for Biomedical Applications," presented at the Fifth International Conference on Sensing Technology, Palmerston North, New Zealand, 2011.
J. H. Goh, A. Mason, A. I. Al-Shamma’a, M. Field, M. Shackloth, and P. Browning, "NDT Microwave Sensor for the Detection of Lactic Acid in Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)," presented at the Ampere 2011, Toulouse, France, 2011.
R. T. Blakey, A. Mason, C. E. Rolph, G. Bond, and A. I. Al-Shamma’a, "Lipid droplet detection Using NDT Microwave Spectroscopy," presented at the Ampere 2011, Toulouse, France, 2011.
A. Mason, S. Wylie, A. Shaw, A. I. Al-Shamma’a, A. Thomas, and H. Keele, "Determination of Activated Carbon Residual Life using a Microwave Cavity Resonator " presented at the Sensors and their Applications XVI, Cork, Ireland, 2011.
J. H. Goh, A. Mason, A. I. Al-Shamma’a, M. Field, M. Shackloth, and P. Browning, "Non Invasive Microwave Sensor for the Detection of Lactic Acid in Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)," presented at the Sensors and their Applications XVI, Cork, Ireland, 2011.
R. T. Blakey, A. Mason, C. E. Rolph, G. Bond, and A. I. Al-Shamma’a, "Lipid droplet detection by the cavity perturbation method," presented at the Sensors and their Applications XVI, Cork, Ireland, 2011.
N. Al-Dasoqi, A. Mason, R. Al-Khaddar, and A. I. Al-Shamma’a, "Real-time non-distructive microwave sensor for nutrient monitoring in wastewater treatment.," presented at the Sensors and their Applications XVI, Cork, Ireland, 2011.
B. Kabalan, S. Wylie, A. Mason, A. Shaw, R. Al-Khaddar, A. I. Al-Shamma’a, C. Lupa, B. Herbert, and E. Maddocks, "Real-time Optimisation of a Microwave Plasma Gasification System," presented at the Sensors and their Applications XVI, Cork, Ireland, 2011.
A. A. Abdou, A. Shaw, A. Mason, A. I. Al-Shamma’a, J. D. Cullen, and S. Wylie, "Electromagnetic (EM) wave propagation for the development of an Underwater Wireless Sensor Network (WSN)," presented at the Sensors and their Applications XVI, Cork, Ireland, 2011.
N. Al-Dasoqi, A. Mason, R. Alkhaddar, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "Use of Sensors in Wastewater Quality Monitoring - A Review of Available Technologies.," presented at the 2011 World Environmental & Water Resources Congress, Palm Springs, California, 2011.
N. Al-Dasoqi, A. Mason, R. Alkhaddar, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "The Use of Sensors in Wastewater Quality Monitoring," presented at the Built Environment and Natural Environment (BEAN) 2011, Liverpool, UK, 2011.
M. R. Baharum, A. Mason, D. Bryde, and M. Riley, "Retail Shopping Centre Recycling Success: An Analysis of Perceptions," presented at the Built Environment and Natural Environment (BEAN) 2011, Liverpool, UK, 2011.
R. T. Blakey, A. Mason, C. E. Rolph, G. Bond, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "Dielectric Characterisation of Triacylglycerol Lipid Droplets," presented at the Built Environment and Natural Environment (BEAN) 2011, Liverpool, UK, 2011.
J. H. Goh, A. Mason, A. I. Al-Shamma'a, M. Field, M. Shackloth, and P. Browning, "Non-invasive Microwave Spectroscopy Technique for the Detection of Lactic Acid in Medical Applications," presented at the Built Environment and Natural Environment (BEAN) 2011, Liverpool, UK, 2011.
B. Kabalan, S. Wylie, A. Mason, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "Automation and Control of Microwave Plasma Jet to Produce Syngas in Gasification Process," presented at the Built Environment and Natural Environment (BEAN) 2011, Liverpool, UK, 2011.
A. A. Abdou, A. Shaw, S. Wylie, A. Mason, J. D. Cullen, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "A Review of Underwater EM Wave Propagation to Investigate the Development of a Through Water WSN," presented at the Built Environment and Natural Environment (BEAN) 2011, Liverpool, UK, 2011.
J. D. Cullen, A. Mason, M. Al-Jader, N. Wylie, A. Shaw, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "Multi-Sensor Spot Welding Monitor using Wireless Sensor Network Technology," presented at the 2011 IEEE Symposium on Computers & Informatics, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2011.
A. Mason, A. Thomas, H. Keele, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "Electromagnetic (EM) Cavity Resonance Residual Life Indicator," presented at the 2011 IEEE Symposium on Computers & Informatics, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2011.
W. A. Wali, J. D. Cullen, K. H. Hassan, A. Mason, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "Comparison between Adaptive and Fuzzy Logic Controllers for Advance Microwave Biodiesel Reactor," presented at the 2011 IEEE Symposium on Computers & Informatics, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2011.
W. A. Wali, J. D. Cullen, K. H. Hassan, A. Mason, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "Comparison between PID and Fuzzy Logic Controllers for Advance Microwave Biodiesel Reactor," presented at the 2011 IEEE Symposium on Computers & Informatics, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2011.
2010:
A. Mason, A. Shaw, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "Improving the Energy Efficiency of Wireless Sensors through Smart Antenna Design," presented at the Fourth International Conference on Sensing Technology (ICST2010), Lecce, Italy, 2010.
A. Mason, A. Shaw, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "Intelligent inventory management for packaged gases," presented at the Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, San Diego, CA, USA, 2010.
A. Mason, A. Shaw, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "The feasibility of low power wireless sensor devices in an industrial environment," presented at the Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, San Diego, CA, USA, 2010.
A. Mason, A. Shaw, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "Online inventory management of packaged gases," presented at the Sensors Applications Symposium (SAS), 2010 IEEE, Limerick, Ireland, 2010.
A. Mason, L. E. Cordova-Lopez, A. Shaw, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "Road Traffic Management Using GIS and WSN," presented at the Built Environment and Natural Environment (BEAN) 2010 Liverpool, UK, 2010.
B. Kabalan, A. Mason, A. Shaw, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "Simulation, design and wireless control of microwave plasma torch for the production of syngas in a gasification process," presented at the Built Environment and Natural Environment (BEAN) 2010 Liverpool, UK, 2010.
L. E. Cordova-Lopez, A. Mason, A. Shaw, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "WSN and GIS Integration for Urban Traffic Management," presented at the Fourth International Conference on Sensing Technology (ICST2010), Lecce, Italy, 2010.
E. Bader, A. Attar, A. Mason, L. Wendling, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "Investigation of an Embedded Microwave Spectrometer for Alcohol Detection and Measurement," presented at the Fourth International Conference on Sensing Technology (ICST2010), Lecce, Italy, 2010.
N. Al-Dasoqi, A. Mason, A. Shaw, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "Preventing Cot Death for Infants in Day Care," presented at the Sensors Applications Symposium (SAS), 2010 IEEE, Limerick, Ireland, 2010.
N. Al-Dasoqi, A. Mason, E. Loffil, R. Al-Khaddar, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "The Development of an Online Real-Time Sensor for Nutrient Detection and Monitoring in Waste Water," presented at the Built Environment and Natural Environment (BEAN) 2010 Liverpool, UK, 2010.
2009:
L. Wendling, A. Mason, A. I. Al-Shamma'a, and A. Shaw, "NDT Alcohol Detection using Microwave Sensors," presented at the Institute for Health Research (IHR) Annual Conference, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK, 2009.
A. Mason, A. Shaw, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "Wireless Sensor Network for Intelligent Inventory Management for Packaged Gases," presented at the International Conference on Developments in eSystems Engineering (DeSE ’09), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2009.
A. Mason, A. Shaw, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "An Antenna for Wireless Sensor Applications," presented at the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Conference 2009, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK 2009.
Earlier Work:
A. Mason, J. D. Cullen, A. I. Al-Shamma'a, and A. Shaw, "An Industrially Suitable Mote Antenna," presented at the 4th General Engineering Annual Research Symposium (GARS-2008), Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK, 2008.
A. Mason, A. I. Al-Shamma'a, and A. Shaw, "Intelligent Inventory Management for Packaged Gases," presented at the 5th General Engineering Annual Research Symposium (GARS-2009), Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK, 2008.
A. Mason, A. Shaw, A. I. Al-Shamma'a, W. R, and J. Irven, "Intelligent Wireless Asset Tracking Of Packaged Gases," presented at the Sensors And Their Applications XIV, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK, 2007.
A. Mason, A. Shaw, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "Intelligent Radio Frequency Identification Positioning Using Wireless Sensor Networks," presented at the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Conference 2007, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK 2007.
A. Mason, A. I. Al-Shamma'a, A. Shaw, J. Irven, and R. Wiktorowicz, "Intelligent wireless asset tracking of packaged gases " Journal of Physics: Conference Series, vol. 76, pp. 1-7, 2007.
A. Mason, A. I. Al-Shamma'a, and A. Shaw, "Intelligent Radio Frequency Identification Using Wireless Sensor Networks," presented at the 3rd General Engineering Annual Research Symposium (GARS-2007), Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK, 2007.
L. E. Cordova-Lopez, A. Mason, J. D. Cullen, A. Shaw, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "Online Vehicle And Atmospheric Pollution Monitoring Using GIS And Wireless Sensor Networks," presented at the Sensors And Their Applications XIV, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK, 2007.
A. Mason, A. Shaw, A. I. Al-Shamma'a, and T. Welsby, "Asset Tracking: Beyond RFID," presented at the 7th Annual Postgraduate Symposium on the Convergence of Telecommunications (PGNET), Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK, 2006.
A. Mason, J. D. Cullen, A. Shaw, and A. I. Al-Shamma'a, "Image Processing For NTE Of Electrode Profile In Resistance Spot Welding," presented at the 2nd International Conference on High Performance Materials, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2006.
A. Mason, A. I. Al-Shamma'a, and A. Shaw, "RFID and Wireless Sensor Network Integration for Intelligent Asset Tracking Systems," presented at the 2nd General Engineering Annual Research Symposium (GARS-2006), Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK, 2006.
A. Mason, J. D. Cullen, A. I. Al-Shamma'a, A. Shaw, and W. Lucas, "Real Time Image Processing Of Electrode Profile In Resistance Spot Welding," presented at the 1st General Engineering Annual Research Symposium (GARS-2005), Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK, 2005.
A. Mason, J. D. Cullen, A. I. Al-Shamma'a, and A. Shaw, "Real Time Image Processing of Electrode Profile in Resistance Spot Welding," presented at the Sensors & their Applications XIII, University of Greenwich, Kent, UK, 2005.
Teaching Responsibilities
4111BEHN - Environmental Studies
4107BEHN - Science, Materials and Mathematics
4118BEUG - Science and Materials
5125BEUG - Sustainable Design and Construction
6126BEUG - Sustainable Property
7007BEPG - Energy Management
7018BEPG - Building Materials and Pathology
Summer School - Environmental Management
Personal Tutor
PhD Supervision
Current:
Belal Kabalan - Simulation, design and construction of a microwave plasma torch for the production of syngas in a gasification process.
Nisreen Al-Dasoqi -The development of an online real time sensor for nutrient detection and monitoring in wastewater.
Richard Blakey - Non-invasive detection of cancerous tissue.
Laurence Brady - The Procurement of Sustainable Engineering Services for Buildings.
Ahmed Abdallah Abdou - Underwater Wireless Sensor Network for Environmental Changes Monitoring.
Aseel Hussein - Augmented Reality: Visualisation, Virtualisation and Reality for buildings in the UK.
Mabruk Farrah - Non-contact Safety monitoring interlock switches for machine guarding in stainless steel enclosure for ultra hygienic application.
Completed:
Rizal Baharum - Recycling initiatives in UK shopping centres, factors critical to success, 2011.
Other Activities
BUE School Quality Committee
IET YP Northwest Region Committee
IEEE Sensors Journal Reviewer
International Conference on Sensors Technology Lead Technical Chair