Being an institute of higher learning, and the first international university in Thailand, Assumption University has a definite policy to provide quality instruction to the students, both undergraduates and graduates, and both Thai and foreign nationals. An equally important function of the University is to conduct research in all fields.

Assumption University is one of the leading universities in the field of science and technology. During the past year, several of our faculty members participated in various international meetings held in Thailand and abroad; many have also presented their papers at these meetings. The Management of Assumption University is proud of their performance and achievements.
To display and maintain a record of their endeavors and achievements, and to encourage other faculty members to make similar contributions, all abstracts of scientific papers presented at the international scientific meetings during this one-year period from July 2004 to June 2005, has been compiled and published for distribution to interested individuals and institutions. The present publication is the sixth issue of the series of the AU Abstracts, published annually. The first one, ‘AU Abstracts - 1999’ was published in September 1999, covering the presentation period from May 1998 to June 1999. Subsequent publications of the series were published in July covering a period from July of the previous year to June of the next year.

Originally, the Office of the AU Journal of Technology who initiated this publication, was charged with the responsibility to cover the activities of five ‘technology based’ faculties and schools, namely: School of Architecture, Faculty of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Nursing Science, and Faculty of Science and Technology. As a few other faculties and schools also presented a number of ‘technological’ papers, they too are included in this publication.

It is hoped that this small publication would be of some benefit to our readers and that it will serve a dual purpose, relaying information, as well as an encouragement to all the faculty members of the ‘technology based’ faculties and schools. It is our desire to continue to present this particular series and publication every year.

On behalf of Assumption University, I wish to express my sincere thanks to Dr. Narong Chomchalow, Editor of the AU Journal of Technology, for his initiative, as well as hard work in compiling, overseeing, and preparing the manuscripts of the AU Abstracts - 2005. I also wish to thank Dr. C. Gigante MacBaine, Assistant Editor of the AU Journal of Technology, who assisted in editing the manuscripts of this publication.

Dr. Bancha Saenghiran, FSG
President, Assumption University