Economic benefits of contemporary earth construction in low-cost urban housing – State-of-the-art review

Addressing urban housing crisis is an enormous challenge for most of the African countries due to the increasing cost of the building material. Zimbabwe is no exception having the same challenges with urban housing crisis. As a matter of fact the conventional construction material is not affordable considering the current economic hardship faced by the majority Zimbabweans. Therefore, an appropriate alternative construction material and technique is essential which can alleviate urban housing crisis in Zimbabwe. The success of the experimented stabilised earth construction projects of urban houses in Zimbabwe widens avenues considering this construction material as an appropriate alternative to the conventional ones and finding out the potential drivers that can help adoption of this technology. This paper aims to refine the drivers and establish its interrelationship with inhibitors with the help of in-depth interview method. First, a critical literature review method is used to come up with a generic list the inhibitors and drivers influencing the adoption of this technology. Second, the identified inhibitors and drivers refined through a series of in-depth interviews to establish drivers and inhibitors influencing the widespread adoption of stabilised earth to address urban low cost housing crisis in Zimbabwe. Third, the analysis of drivers and inhibitors interrelationship understand show the widespread adoption of stabilised earth construction can alleviate urban housing crisis in Zimbabwe.

Download Full-text

UV Inscription and Pressure Induced Long-Period Gratings through 3D Printed Amplitude Masks

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21061977 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (6) ◽

pp. 1977

Author(s):

Ricardo Oliveira ◽

Liliana M. Sousa ◽

Ana M. Rocha ◽

Rogério Nogueira ◽

Lúcia Bilro

Keyword(s):

State Of The Art ◽

Low Cost ◽

Resonance Wavelength ◽

Complex Structures ◽

Pressing Method ◽

Long Period ◽

Long Period Gratings ◽

3D Printed ◽

Mechanical Pressing ◽

First Time

In this work, we demonstrate for the first time the capability to inscribe long-period gratings (LPGs) with UV radiation using simple and low cost amplitude masks fabricated with a consumer grade 3D printer. The spectrum obtained for a grating with 690 µm period and 38 mm length presented good quality, showing sharp resonances (i.e., 3 dB bandwidth < 3 nm), low out-of-band loss (~0.2 dB), and dip losses up to 18 dB. Furthermore, the capability to select the resonance wavelength has been demonstrated using different amplitude mask periods. The customization of the masks makes it possible to fabricate gratings with complex structures. Additionally, the simplicity in 3D printing an amplitude mask solves the problem of the lack of amplitude masks on the market and avoids the use of high resolution motorized stages, as is the case of the point-by-point technique. Finally, the 3D printed masks were also used to induce LPGs using the mechanical pressing method. Due to the better resolution of these masks compared to ones described on the state of the art, we were able to induce gratings with higher quality, such as low out-of-band loss (0.6 dB), reduced spectral ripples, and narrow bandwidths (~3 nm).

Download Full-text

Photovoltaics Enabling Sustainable Energy Communities: Technological Drivers and Emerging Markets

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14071862 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (7) ◽

pp. 1862

Author(s):

Alexandros-Georgios Chronis ◽

Foivos Palaiogiannis ◽

Iasonas Kouveliotis-Lysikatos ◽

Panos Kotsampopoulos ◽

Nikos Hatziargyriou

Keyword(s):

State Of The Art ◽

Research Question ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Energy Market ◽

Small Scale ◽

Local Energy ◽

Community Members ◽

Open Research ◽

Energy Community

In this paper, we investigate the economic benefits of an energy community investing in small-scale photovoltaics (PVs) when local energy trading is operated amongst the community members. The motivation stems from the open research question on whether a community-operated local energy market can enhance the investment feasibility of behind-the-meter small-scale PVs installed by energy community members. Firstly, a review of the models, mechanisms and concepts required for framing the relevant concepts is conducted, while a clarification of nuances at important terms is attempted. Next, a tool for the investigation of the economic benefits of operating a local energy market in the context of an energy community is developed. We design the local energy market using state-of-the-art formulations, modified according to the requirements of the case study. The model is applied to an energy community that is currently under formation in a Greek municipality. From the various simulations that were conducted, a series of generalizable conclusions are extracted.

Download Full-text

Accurate 3D Localization Using RGB-TOF Camera and IMU for Industrial Mobile Robots

Robotica ◽

10.1017/s0263574720001526 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-18

Author(s):

Majid Yekkehfallah ◽

Ming Yang ◽

Zhiao Cai ◽

Liang Li ◽

Chuanxiang Wang

Keyword(s):

Mobile Robots ◽

Inertial Measurement Unit ◽

Indoor Environment ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Low Cost ◽

Estimation Algorithm ◽

Measurement Unit ◽

3D Localization ◽

Fast Motion ◽

Tof Camera

SUMMARY Localization based on visual natural landmarks is one of the state-of-the-art localization methods for automated vehicles that is, however, limited in fast motion and low-texture environments, which can lead to failure. This paper proposes an approach to solve these limitations with an extended Kalman filter (EKF) based on a state estimation algorithm that fuses information from a low-cost MEMS Inertial Measurement Unit and a Time-of-Flight camera. We demonstrate our results in an indoor environment. We show that the proposed approach does not require any global reflective landmark for localization and is fast, accurate, and easy to use with mobile robots.

Download Full-text

Single-Layer Line-Fed Broadband Microstrip Patch Antenna on Thin Substrates

Electronics ◽

10.3390/electronics10010037 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 37

Author(s):

Roberto Vincenti Gatti ◽

Riccardo Rossi ◽

Marco Dionigi

Keyword(s):

Patch Antenna ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Low Cost ◽

Single Layer ◽

Microstrip Antennas ◽

Microstrip Patch Antenna ◽

Layer Line ◽

Limited Bandwidth ◽

Microstrip Patch ◽

Effective Design

In this work, the issue of limited bandwidth typical of microstrip antennas realized on a single thin substrate is addressed. A simple yet effective design approach is proposed based on the combination of traditional single-resonance patch geometries. Two novel shaped microstrip patch antenna elements with an inset feed are presented. Despite being printed on a single-layer substrate with reduced thickness, both radiators are characterized by a broadband behavior. The antennas are prototyped with a low-cost and fast manufacturing process, and measured results validate the simulations. State-of-the-art performance is obtained when compared to the existing literature, with measured fractional bandwidths of 3.71% and 6.12% around 10 GHz on a 0.508-mm-thick Teflon-based substrate. The small feeding line width could be an appealing feature whenever such radiating elements are to be used in array configurations.

Download Full-text

Mechanisms and adsorption capacities of biochar for the removal of organic and inorganic pollutants from industrial wastewater

International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ◽

10.1007/s13762-020-03060-w ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

T. G. Ambaye ◽

M. Vaccari ◽

E. D. van Hullebusch ◽

A. Amrane ◽

S. Rtimi

Keyword(s):

Organic Contaminants ◽

Pyrolysis Temperature ◽

Low Cost ◽

Industrial Effluents ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Inorganic Pollutants ◽

Solution Ph ◽

Adsorption Mechanisms ◽

Adsorption Capacities ◽

Temperature Solution

AbstractCurrently, due to the rapid growth of urbanization and industrialization in developing countries, a large volume of wastewater is produced from industries that contain chemicals generating high environmental risks affecting human health and the economy if not treated properly. Consequently, the development of a sustainable low-cost wastewater treatment approach has attracted more attention of policymakers and scientists. The present review highlights the recent applications of biochar in removing organic and inorganic pollutants present in industrial effluents. The recent modes of preparation, physicochemical properties and adsorption mechanisms of biochar in removing organic and inorganic industrial pollutants are also reviewed comprehensively. Biochar showed high adsorption of industrial dyes up to 80%. It also discusses the recent application and mechanism of biochar-supported photocatalytic materials for the degradation of organic contaminants in wastewater. We reviewed also the possible optimizations (such as the pyrolysis temperature, solution pH) allowing the increase of the adsorption capabilities of biochar leading to organic contaminants removal. Besides, increasing the pyrolysis temperature of the biochar was seen to lead to an increase in its surface area, while it decreases their amount of oxygen-containing functional groups, consequently leading to a decrease in the adsorption of metal (loid) ions present in the medium. Finally, the review suggests that more research should be carried out to optimize the main parameters involved in biochar production and its regeneration methods. Future efforts should be also carried out towards process engineering to improve its adsorption capacity to increase the economic benefits of its implementation.

Download Full-text

A Machine Vision Approach for Bioreactor Foam Sensing

SLAS TECHNOLOGY Translating Life Sciences Innovation ◽

10.1177/24726303211008861 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 247263032110088

Author(s):

Jonas Austerjost ◽

Robert Söldner ◽

Christoffer Edlund ◽

Johan Trygg ◽

David Pollard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Machine Learning ◽

Machine Vision ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Low Cost ◽

High Accuracy ◽

Consumer Electronics ◽

Learning System ◽

Automotive Applications ◽

Fine Grained

Machine vision is a powerful technology that has become increasingly popular and accurate during the last decade due to rapid advances in the field of machine learning. The majority of machine vision applications are currently found in consumer electronics, automotive applications, and quality control, yet the potential for bioprocessing applications is tremendous. For instance, detecting and controlling foam emergence is important for all upstream bioprocesses, but the lack of robust foam sensing often leads to batch failures from foam-outs or overaddition of antifoam agents. Here, we report a new low-cost, flexible, and reliable foam sensor concept for bioreactor applications. The concept applies convolutional neural networks (CNNs), a state-of-the-art machine learning system for image processing. The implemented method shows high accuracy for both binary foam detection (foam/no foam) and fine-grained classification of foam levels.

Download Full-text

A low-cost asymmetric carbazole-based hole-transporting material for efficient perovskite solar cells

New Journal of Chemistry ◽

10.1039/d0nj02943b ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Xueqiao Li ◽

Na Sun ◽

Zhanfeng Li ◽

Jinbo Chen ◽

Qinjun Sun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solar Cells ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Low Cost ◽

Perovskite Solar Cells ◽

The State ◽

Hole Transporting ◽

Hole Transporting Material

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have reached their highest efficiency with the state-of-the-art hole-transporting material (HTM) spiro-OMeTAD.

Download Full-text

Social housing for urban households sheltering children responsible for the "kuluna" and "black babies" phenomena in Congo Brazzaville.

Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal ◽

10.14738/assrj.712.9541 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (12) ◽

pp. 424-437

Author(s):

Alain Symphorien Ndongo

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Social Order ◽

Social Housing ◽

Spiritual Development ◽

Deviant Behavior ◽

Low Cost ◽

Urban Housing ◽

The Government ◽

Family Warmth ◽

Congo Brazzaville

Housing as a place where household members spend about half (12 hours) of their daily time, including six to eight hours in sleep, is one of the essential conditions in the fight against poverty and precariousness. The current Congolese urban environment is facing serious problems: small plots of land, lack of suitable housing in relation to the size and composition of households, overcrowding, and water and electricity supplies. This situation is becoming critical with the appearance of deviant behavior among children aged between 10 and 30. The government and its development partners have demonstrated their powerlessness face to this situation, leaving thousands of children on the streets without education or family warmth to form real criminal gangs. These street children have created the phenomena of "kuluna" and "black babies". It has been shown that these one act in this way for their survival, claiming their rights. In this study, we find innovative proposals to provide households sheltering adulterine and adoptive children with low-cost social housing, in order to restore the image of the head of the household and provide the children with a pleasant space for their physical, economic, cultural and spiritual development. This will undoubtedly help to find solutions to the problems facing children and indeed Congolese society as a whole today. The study revealed that if the government does not take practical measures in response to the phenomena created by wayward children, especially "black babies" and "kuluna", there will be a massive adherence of other children, especially the adulterine and adoptive ones. There will be a risk of the phenomena will to be exported to rural areas. The study recommends a "State - Household" partnership in the manufacture of new types of urban housing for households housing children likely to integrate or create gangs, jeopardizing social order and public security.

Download Full-text