The Function-Based Design for Sustainability Method

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Arlitt ◽  
Douglas L. Van Bossuyt ◽  
Rob B. Stone ◽  
Irem Y. Tumer
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Sustainable Products ◽  
Design For Sustainability ◽  
Component Design ◽  
Alternative Function

Over the last two decades, consumers have become increasingly aware and desiring of sustainable products. However, little attention has been paid to developing conceptual design methods that explicitly take into account environmental impact. This paper contributes a method of automated function component generation, and guided down-selection and decision-making based upon environmental impact. The environmental impact of functions has been calculated for 17 of the products found in the Design Repository using ReCiPe scoring in SimaPRO. A hierarchical Bayesian approach is used to estimate the potential environmental impacts of specific functions when realized into components. Previously, product environmental impacts were calculated after a product was developed to the component design stage. The method developed in this paper could be used to provide a criticality ranking based on which functional solutions historically have the greatest risk of causing high environmental impact. The method is demonstrated using a simple clock system as an example. A comparative case study of two phone chargers for use in third-world countries demonstrates the decision-making capabilities of this method, and shows that it is possible to compare the environmental impact of alternative function structures during the conceptual stage of design. With the method presented in this paper, it is now possible to make early functional modeling design decisions specifically taking into account historical environmental impact of functionally similar products.

A Comprehensive Methodology to Support Decision-Making Towards Sustainability on Nanocomposite Materials in Additive Manufacturing Sector

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Foteini Petrakli ◽  
Anastasia Gkika ◽  
Anestis Vlysidis ◽  
Panagiotis Karayannis ◽  
Elias Koumoulos
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Nanocomposite Materials ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Different Types

Abstract Innovative nanocomposite materials and resultant additive manufacturing products are necessary to be assessed for their carbon footprint towards top priorities of EU for plastics, including the European Green Deal principles and the Action Plan for Circular Economy. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is widely applied standardized methodology that aims to study potential environmental impacts of novel products. Nano-scale materials (NM) are usually dispersed in polymer to enhance their limited functional properties resulting in a spectrum of end-products for multiple applications. However, little information exists on their environmental impact. Within this context, this study presents a ‘cradle-to-gate plus end-of-life’ LCA approach, studying different types of 3D printing nanocomposite filaments across the supply chain. Three different types of polymer matrixes were examined: polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP) and polylactic acid (PLA), additivated with three different types of nanomaterial additives: multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), graphene oxide (GO) forms and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), considering lab-scale production. In addition, several different EoL scenarios have been examined for the materials. Finally, LCA findings are coupled with the performance (taken here as conductivity) of these new materials to assist the decision-making process for selecting efficient scenarios with the least environmental impact. The outputs of this examination enable identification of potential sustainability issues for novel nanocomposite materials at an early design stage, while also assisting in the definition of actions to mitigate such issues. Thus, LCA studies can generate knowledge on the environmental impacts of nano-enabled materials, while also serving as a valuable decision support tool towards optimizing material sustainability aspects.

Mathematical-Modelling Simulation Applied to Help in the Decision-Making Process on Environmental Impact Assessment of Agriculture

2011 ◽  
pp. 199-233
Author(s):  
Maria Pessoa ◽  
Elizabeth Fernandes ◽  
Sonia Nascimento de Queiroz ◽  
Vera Ferracini ◽  
Marco Gomes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Mathematical Modelling ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Environmental Impact Assessment ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Guarani Aquifer

The present chapter provides a brief explanation on some aspects involved in the development of models and mathematical-modelling simulations, to show their benefits to the decision-making process in the environmental impact assessment of agriculture. Aspects concerning the agroecosystems were also presented toward the sustainability of Brazilian agricultural production systems. Some applications which have been developed in Brazil were pointed out, as well as a specific case study conducted at the Guarani aquifer recharge area located in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo state, in order to show the influence of input data on the results provided by CMLS94 simulator.

scholarly journals Reducing the conflict of interest in the optimal operation of reservoirs by linking mesohabitat hydraulic modeling and metaheuristic optimization

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahdi Sedighkia ◽  
Bithin Datta ◽  
Asghar Abdoli
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Differential Evolution ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Reservoir Operation ◽  
Differential Evolution Algorithm ◽  
Hydraulic Modeling ◽  
Optimal Operation ◽  
Metaheuristic Optimization

Abstract The present study proposes a novel framework to optimize the reservoir operation through linking mesohabitat hydraulic modeling and metaheuristic optimization to mitigate environmental impact at downstream of the reservoir. Environmental impact function was developed by mesohabitat hydraulic simulation. Then, the developed function was utilized in the structure of the reservoir operation optimization. Different metaheuristic algorithms including practice swarm optimization, invasive weed optimization, differential evolution and biogeography-based algorithm were used to optimize reservoir operation. Root mean square error (RMSE) and reliability index were utilized to measure the performance of algorithms. Based on the results in the case study, the proposed method is robust for mitigating downstream environmental impacts and sustaining water supply by the reservoir. RMSE for mesohabitats is 8% that indicates the robustness of proposed method to mitigate environmental impacts at downstream. It seems that providing environmental requirements might reduce the reliability of water supply considerably. Differential evolution algorithm is the best method to optimize reservoir operation in the case study.

Mathematical-Modelling Simulation Applied to Help in the Decision-Making Process on Environmental Impact Assessment of Agriculture

2011 ◽  
pp. 946-979
Author(s):  
Maria Pessoa ◽  
Elizabeth Fernandes ◽  
Sonia Nascimento de Queiroz ◽  
Vera Ferracini ◽  
Marco Gomes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Mathematical Modelling ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Environmental Impact Assessment ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Guarani Aquifer

The present chapter provides a brief explanation on some aspects involved in the development of models and mathematical-modelling simulations, to show their benefits to the decision-making process in the environmental impact assessment of agriculture. Aspects concerning the agroecosystems were also presented toward the sustainability of Brazilian agricultural production systems. Some applications which have been developed in Brazil were pointed out, as well as a specific case study conducted at the Guarani aquifer recharge area located in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo state, in order to show the influence of input data on the results provided by CMLS94 simulator.

A Comparative Case Study of Three Korean Firms

2009 ◽  
pp. 145-162
Author(s):  
Junghoon Lee ◽  
Jungwoo Lee ◽  
Ja Young Lee
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Study Analysis ◽  
Multiple Perspectives ◽  
Case Study Analysis ◽  
Business Values

Research has recently begun to place greater emphasis on the strategic application of IT in seeking to integrate firms’ IT infrastructures and business processes, thus boosting companies’ business values. In this context, efforts have been made to formulate workable structures for companies’ IT governance (ITG); however, little practical research has considered the effect of different forms of ITG in a range of domestic and multinational companies. This study undertakes a comparative case study analysis of the ITG setups of three large service sector firms in Korea. This research work sought to identify the activities, types, and determinants of firms’ ITG decision making processes, and to suggest the basis on which forms of ITG may represent rational selections for given service companies. The study was based on in-depth interviews with representatives of three firms, analysis of in-house materials, and the application of multiple perspectives dealing with ITG domains. Case study analysis yielded a detailed picture of the characteristics of ITG related decision making within the firms, suggesting the validity of the proposed ITG framework. The proposed and partially validated ITG framework should be useful for further research and practice of ITG.

Parole as resentencing: Exploring the punitive accounts of parole decision-making through the comparative case study of Israel

2021 ◽  
pp. 147737082110396
Author(s):  
Netanel Dagan
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Public Confidence ◽  
Penal Policy ◽  
Future Risk ◽  
Parole Boards ◽  
Formal Recognition

Parole boards have traditionally assessed prisoners’ future risk and rehabilitation prospects in deciding on early release from prison. However, parole boards may do more. In some systems, they may deny parole applications for punitive reasons, thus acting as a resentencing authority. This study conducted a qualitative analysis of the punitive discourses of parole decision-making, with Israel as a comparative case study. Through interviews with 20 chairpersons of Israeli Parole Boards, we found three themes of punitive parole decision-making: (a) preserving public confidence in the criminal justice system; (b) preserving penal proportionality; and (c) re-censuring an especially depraved moral character. The findings suggested that parole boards’ punitive discretion is multidimensional and complex. Such punitive discretion may be openly implemented, it may be cloaked as risk assessment, or decided without formal recognition. The findings further indicated that resentencing through discretionary parole may not only conflict with rehabilitation and risk aims, but may also raise challenges for retributive and deterrent penal policy. Implications for comparative parole policy are discussed.

Somatic individuality in context, a comparative case study

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 338-351
Author(s):  
Kelly Pender
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Genetic Determinism ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Genetic Medicine ◽  
Complicated Nature

Scholars have challenged the totalizing nature of the “geneticization thesis,” arguing that its brushstrokes are too broad to capture the complicated nature of the new genetics. One such challenge has come from Nikolas Rose’s argument that genetic medicine is governed by a new biopolitics in which patients understand themselves as “somatic individuals” who treat their bodies as an “ethical substance” to be worked on in order to secure a healthier future. I argue that Rose’s argument, while compelling, paints the new genetics in equally broad brushstrokes and that in order for a concept like somatic individuality to become useful, we must study its manifestation across different communities of at-risk individuals. I undertake such a study by analyzing discourse use in two online biosocial communities, showing how the decision-making situations specific to each affect representations of somatic individuality, often creating opportunities for the rhetorical repurposing of older discourses of genetic determinism.

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