Academic Building (B3)-Room 160
Department of Materials and Mechanical Technology
Faculty of Technology
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Mahenwatte, Pitipana North
Homagama 10200
Sri Lanka

Email: wrdemel@sjp.ac.lk

Eng. W. R. de Mel is a distinguished academic with a long and accomplished career in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, and Automobile Engineering. Currently, he serves as the Head of the Department of Materials and Mechanical Technology at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. With over three decades of experience in academia and research, he is widely recognised for his expertise in artificial intelligence, automobile technology, renewable energy, mechatronics and education technology. His commitment to advancing engineering education is demonstrated by his pioneering efforts to integrate emerging technologies into academic programs, inspiring innovation and excellence among students.

Eng. de Mel is particularly renowned for introducing the first Mechatronics Bachelor’s Degree program into Sri Lanka’s university system in 2004, revolutionising engineering education in the country.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BScEng) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Moratuwa in 1994, followed by a Master of Science (MSc) in Industrial Mathematics from the University of Peradeniya in 2001. In 2004, he completed his Master of Engineering (MEng) in Mechatronics by research at the prestigious National University of Singapore.

Eng. de Mel has held numerous leadership roles and administrative positions throughout his career. He has notably served as the Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering Technology, The Open University of Sri Lanka. In addition, he has played a crucial role as a member of various Quality Assurance and Curriculum Committees to ensure that educational standards and curricula are aligned with the demands of the engineering and technology sectors.

Furthermore, Eng. de Mel has provided his expertise as a consultant engineer to numerous government and private sector organisations, contributing his knowledge to support and enhance engineering practices across a wide range of industries.

Born in 1967, he is a Sri Lankan national, married, and the proud father of two sons.

 

Research Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Automobile Technology, Smart Vehicles, Machine Vision Mechatronics Engineering, Laboratory Education, and Online Remote Laboratories

SEPTEMBER 2023 – TO DATE	HEAD (Department of Materials and Mechanical Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.)
JULY 2022 – SEPTEMBER 2023	ACTING HEAD(Department of Materials and Mechanical Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.)
AUGUST 2020 – AUGUST 2023	FACULTY COORDINATOR FOR INTERNAL QUALITY ASSURANCE (Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura)
AUGUST 2020 – AUGUST 2023	FACULTY COORDINATOR FOR UNIVERSITY CURRICULUM COMMITTEE (Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura )
2021-2022	MEMBER IN TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR PROGRAMME REVIEW (Ministry of Education)
MAY 2019 – SEPTEMBER 2022	COORDINATOR OF THE AUTOMOBILE TECHNOLOGY SPECIALISATION (in the Department of Materials and Mechanical Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.)
MAY 2019 – TO DATE	SENIOR LECTURER GRADE I (in the Department of Materials and Mechanical Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.)
2014/15	PRESIDENT (Open University Teachers Association. )
APRIL 2011 – MAY 2019	SENIOR LECTURER GRADE I (in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, The Open University of Sri Lanka)
FEBRUARY 2011 – JANUARY 2017	MEMBER (Faculty Research Committee, Faculty of Engineering Technology, The Open University of Sri Lanka)
FEBRUARY 2011 – JANUARY 2014	HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT (in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, The Open University of Sri Lanka)
2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11	PRESIDENT (United Distance Teachers Association)
APRIL 2005 – APRIL 2011	SENIOR LECTURER GRADE II (in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, The Open University of Sri Lanka)
JUNE 2004 – MAY 2019	CHAIRMAN (Mechatronics Curriculum Development Committee, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, The Open University of Sri Lanka)
JUNE 2001 – APRIL 2004	RESEARCH STUDENT (in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore.)
SEPTEMBER 1995 – MAY 2001	SENIOR ENGINEERING TEACHING ASSISTANT (in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, The Open University of Sri Lanka.)
JUNE 1994 – AUGUST 1995	TEMPORARY DEMONSTRATOR (in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, The Open University of Sri Lanka.)

• 2023 (Duration 1 year)

Renewable Energy Access for the Conversion of Tuk-tuks (REACT) Project(Energy Catalyst Round 9 – Early Stage, Funding body: Innovate UK)

 

 

2017	The Gold medal in the Best Practice Award category for the research paper titled, ‘Development of a Hybrid Learning System to Enhance ODL: Printed Course Material Amelioration via Smartphones’31st Annual Conference of the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU 2017) Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
	Member (IEEE)

Eng. W. R. de Mel’s research interests span a diverse range of cutting-edge fields within engineering and technology. His expertise in artificial intelligence focuses on its application in engineering systems, particularly in optimizing automobile technology and enhancing mechatronic systems. He has a deep interest in renewable energy, where he explores sustainable energy solutions, particularly in transportation and mechanical systems. Additionally, his passion for education technology is evident in his efforts to innovate engineering curricula by integrating emerging technologies, ensuring that academic programs meet the evolving needs of the industry. His research also extends into industrial mathematics, utilizing mathematical modeling and optimization techniques to solve complex engineering problems. Eng. de Mel’s contributions are pivotal in driving advancements in both academia and industry..

Research Articles

10. R. Jayetileke, W. R. De Mei And H. U. W. Ratnayake, “Real-Time Fuzzy Logic Speed Tracking Controller For A Dc Motor Using Arduino Due,” 7th International Conference On Information And Automation For Sustainability, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2014, Pp. 1-6, Doi: 10.1109/Iciafs.2014.7069560.
11. D. Wijegunawardana and W. . de Mel, “Biomimetic Designs for Automobile Engineering: A Review”, Int. J. Automot. Mech. Eng., vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 9029–9041, Sep. 2021.
12. R. Jayetileke, W. R. de Mel and H. U. W. Ratnayake, “Modelling and simulation analysis of the genetic-fuzzy controller for speed regulation of a sensored BLDC motor using MATLAB/SIMULINK,” 2017 IEEE International Conference on Industrial and Information Systems (ICIIS), Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2017, pp. 1-6, doi: 10.1109/ICIINFS.2017.8300340.
13. Kasun, and W. R. de Mel. “Rice grains classification using image processing technics.” Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala Nugegoda, Sri Lanka (2016).
14. M. K. K. M. B. Herath, W.R. de Mel, “Controlling an Anatomical Robot Hand Using the Brain-Computer Interface Based on Motor Imagery”, Advances in Human-Computer Interaction, vol. 2021, Article ID 5515759, 15 pages, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5515759

Kobbekaduwa, N., Oruthota, P.,de Mel, W.R.(2021).Calibration and Implementation of Heat Cycle Requirement of MQ-7 Semiconductor Sensor for Detection of Carbon Monoxide Concentrations, Advances in Technology,1(2), 377-392

Nandana, W.A.R. and de Mel, W.R. (2016), “Integrated laboratory experiment setup to empower the engineering education in distance mode”, Asian Association of Open Universities Journal, Vol. 11 No. 1, pp. 13-23.

Rasika Nandana, W.A., de Mel, W.R. and Priyankara, H.D.N.S. (2015), “Expanding the Frontiers of Engineering Education in Open and Distance Learning by an Online Laboratory Platform”, Asian Association of Open Universities Journal, Vol. 10 No. 1, pp. 65-76. https://doi.org/10.1108/AAOUJ-10-01-2015-B007

Jayasuriya, J., Moser, I. & de Mel, R. An automated water dispensing system for controlling fires in coal yards. Int J Coal Sci Technol 9, 23 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40789-022-00488-y

Jayasuriya, J., Moser, I. & de Mel, R. An automated water dispensing system for controlling fires in coal yards. Int J Coal Sci Technol 9, 23 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40789-022-00488-y

H.M.K.K.M.B. Herath, W.R. de Mel. Electroencephalogram (EEG) Controlled Anatomical Robot Hand, 09 July 2021, PREPRINT (Version 1) available at Research Square [https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-690875/v1

De Mel, W. R., and A. N. Poo. “Real-time control using xpc-target in Matlab.” International Symposium on Dynamics and Control, Hanoi, Vietnam. 2003.Nandana, W., de Mel, W., & Priyankara, H. D. N. S. (2012). Online remote laboratory for open distance learning. In First International Conference on Open and Distance e-Learning (pp. 1-10).

B G D Achintha Madhusanka, W R De Mel (2011), “Artificial Neural Network-Based Nonlinear Dynamic Modelling Of The Twin-Rotor Mimo System,” Presented At The 23rd Canadian Congress Of Applied Mechanics, The University Of British Columbia.

Jayetileke, H.R.; de Mel, W.R.; Mukhopadhyay, S.C. Real-Time Metaheuristic Algorithm for Dynamic Fuzzification, De-Fuzzification and Fuzzy Reasoning Processes. Appl. Sci. 2022, 12, 8242. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12168242

Herath, H.M.K.K.M.B., Karunasena, G.M.K.B., Herath, H.M.W.T., Priyankara, H.D.N.S., Madushanka, B.G.D.A., De Mel, W.R. (2022). Integration of IoT and Fog Computing for the Development of COVID-19 Cluster Tracking System in Urban Cities. In: Kose, U., Watada, J., Deperlioglu, O., Marmolejo Saucedo, J.A. (eds) Computational Intelligence for COVID-19 and Future Pandemics. Disruptive Technologies and Digital Transformations for Society 5.0. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-3783-4_7

Haroon, M. M. R., and W. R. de Mel. “Development of a hybrid learning system to enhance ODL; printed course material amelioration via smartphones.” Proceedings of the 31st Annual Conference of Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU). 2017.

BGD Achintha Madhusanka, W R de Mel, “Adaptive trajectory control for the twin rotor MIMO system using artificial neural network,” presented at the International Conference on Applications and Design in Mechanical Engineering 2012 (ICADME 2012), 27-28 February 2012, Penang, Malaysia, pp. 2-6.

BGDA Madhusanka, WR de Mel, “Feedforward neural network based, nonlinear modeling of the twin rotor MIMO system,” presented at the Annual Academic Sessions 2011, The Open University of Sri Lanka, published by The Open University of Sri Lanka (2011).

Jayetileke, H. R., de Mel, W. ., & Ratnayake, . H. . (2021). Dynamic Optimisation Self-adaptive AI Controller for a Four-wheel Independent Drive Electric Rover. Advances in Technology, 1(1), 127–145.https://doi.org/10.31357/ait.v1i1.4873

Jayetileke, H. R., de Mel, W. R., & Ratnayake, H. U. W. (2019). A Dynamic AI Controller, for a Field-Oriented Controlled BLDC Motor to Achieve the Desired Angular Velocity and Torque. International Journal of Intelligent Systems and Applications in Engineering, 7(3), 166–182. https://doi.org/10.18201/ijisae.2019355379

TGAA Samaranayaka, WR de Mel, “Extending the boundaries of remote laboratory by providing hands-on experience, “Proceedings of the 31st Annual Conference of Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU), pp. 359-366 2017.

H.M.K.K.M.B. Herath, W.R. de Mel, Mamta Mittal, Brain-computer interfacing for flexion and extension of bio-inspired robot fingers, “International Journal of Cognitive Computing in Engineering”, Volume 4, 2023, Pages 89-99, ISSN 2666-3074, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcce.2023.02.006.

de Mel, W. (2016). Solar energy remote laboratory an e-learning experimentation setup. In Proceedings of 30th Annual Conference of Asian Association of Open Universities AAOU.

2023. H. P. Sampath D.M.H.H.S. Rajasuriya, T.P.D. Pieris, N.P. Dassanayaka, W.R. de Mel, H.R. Jayetileke, O.A.P.C. Oruthota, ‘A Feasibility Study of Renewable Energy Access for Battery Swappable Conversion Kit for ThreeWheelers in Sri Lanka,’ International Conference on Innovation and Emerging Technologies (ICIET) 2023, November 2023.

Nisal Kobbekaduwa, W. R. de Mel, Pahan Oruthota, ‘IoT based real-time air quality monitoring system for autorepair workshops,’ International Conference on Innovation and Emerging Technologies 2021, Volume 1, Issue 1, Pages 43, Faculty of Technology University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Pitipana, Homagama, Sri Lanka, December 5, 2021.

Jeevan Ramesh Jayasuriya, Irene Moser, Ravi de Mel et al. An Automated Solution for Controlling Random Fires on Coal Yards, 09 July 2021, PREPRINT (Version 1) available at Research Square [https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs690512/v1].

2021. M. K. K. M. B. Herath, W.R. de Mel, “Controlling an Anatomical Robot Hand Using the Brain-Computer Interface Based on Motor Imagery”, Advances in Human-Computer Interaction, vol. 2021, Article ID 5515759, 15 pages, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5515759

Hasitha Ruwan Jayetileke, ‘An Intelligent Dynamic Controller for a 4-WD (Four Wheel Drive) Electric Rover,’ Master of Philosophy, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology, The Open University of Sri Lanka, 2019.

2017. R. de Mel, T.G.A.A. Samaranayaka, ‘Extending the Boundaries of Remote Laboratory by Providing Hands-on Experience,’ The 31st Annual Conference of the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU 2017)-Proceeding, September 27, 2017, Pages 358, Proceedings available at: [http://aaou2017.ut.ac.id/proceeding/].
2018. R. de Mel, M. R. Mohomed Haroon, ‘Development of a Hybrid Learning System to Enhance ODL; Printed Course Material Amelioration via Smartphones,’ Asian Associations of Open Universities Annual Conference, 2017.

SAMANS Senanayake, W. R. de Mel, GHCK Wimalasiri, DHRJ Wimalasiri, PAK Karunananda, RR Abeyweera, ‘Technical Due Diligence on Mini Hydro Plant,’ 2016.

Dassanayake, D.H.N.C.; De Mel, W.R.; Dabare, P.T.R., ‘Automated Identification System for Student Assignment Cover Pages,’ Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, Colombo 07, December 1, 2015.

de Mel W.R, W.A. Rasika Nandana, ‘Integrated Laboratory Experiment Setup to Empower the Engineering Education in Distance Mode,’ 29th Annual Conference of the Asian Association of Open Universities, November 30, 2015, Pages 481-490, Publisher: Asian Association of Open Universities.

Nandana WAR, de Mel WR, Priyankara HDNS, ‘Expanding the Frontiers of Engineering Education in Open and Distance Learning by an Online Laboratory Platform,’ AAOU2014, Volume 1, Issue ISBN 978-988-8238-06-4, Pages 1092, Publisher: Asian Association of Open Universities, 2014.

Achintha Madhusanka BGD, de Mel WR, ‘Adaptive Trajectory Control for the Twin Rotor MIMO System Using Artificial Neural Networks,’ February 27, 2012, Publisher: Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP).

Nandana W.A.R, de Mel W.R., Priyankara H.D.N.S, ‘Online Remote Laboratory for Open Distance Learning,’ First international Conference on Open and Distance e-Learning, 2012, Pages 10, Publisher: University of the PhilipIpines Open University.

1. A. K. P. Ranasinghe, W. R. de Mel, ‘A New Algorithm for Number Plate Recognition,’ Annual Academic Sessions 2011, at The Open University of Sri Lanka, 2011, Publisher: The Open University of Sri Lanka.

Widanalage Raviprasad de Mel, ‘Artificial Neural Network-Based Adaptive Controller for DC Motors, A thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 2003.

SDR Perera, PD SarathChandra, WR de Mel, ‘Feasibility of Electric Three-Wheeler as a Means of Urban Transportation,’ Inaugural Annual Academic Sessions 2003, at The Open University of Sri Lanka, 2003, Publisher: The Open University of Sri Lanka.

H.M.K.K.M.B. Herath, W.R. de Mel, Mamta Mittal, Brain-computer interfacing for flexion and extension of bioinspired robot fingers, International Journal of Cognitive Computing in Engineering, Volume 4, 2023, Pages 89-99, ISSN 2666-3074, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcce.2023.02.006.

2019. R. Jayetileke, W. R. de Mel, and H. U. W. Ratnayake, “A Dynamic AI Controller, for a Field-Oriented Controlled BLDC Motor to Achieve the Desired Angular Velocity and Torque”, Int J Intell Syst Appl Eng, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 166–182, Sep. 2019.
2020. H. N. C. Dassanayake, W. R. de Mel, and P. T. R. Dabare, ‘Automated Identification System for Student Assignment Cover Pages,’ Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, Proceedings of the 71st Annual Sessions – 2015 Part I.

Rasika Nandana W.A., de Mel W.R., Priyankara H.D.N.S., ‘Online Remote Laboratory for Open Distance Learning,’ Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka, 2013.

5. R. Jayetileke, W. R. de Mel, S. C. Mukhopadhyay, ‘A Reconfigurable SensorNet for Industry 5.0 Applications using Arduino Due/ESP32 and Xbee S2C Based on IEEE 802.15.4 Protocol with Programmable Sensor Array,’ The 16th International Conference on Sensing Technology, 17 – 20 Dec 2023, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, India

 

Books

W R de Mel, Power electronics for BTech Degree in Mechatronics, OUSL Publications 2008

W R de Mel, Machine Vision for BTech Degree in Mechatronics, OUSL Publications 2008

W R de Mel, Sensors and Actuators for BTech Degree in Mechatronics, ISBN 978-955-23-1325-7, OUSL

Publications 2012

W R de Mel, Applied electronics for BTech Degree in Mechatronics, OUSL Publications 2006

W R de Mel, Automobile Technology for BTech Degree in Mechanical, OUSL Publications 2000