MacGyvered Multiproperty Materials Using Nanocarbon and Jam: A Spectroscopic, Electromagnetic and Rheological Investigation

As part of a biopolymer matrix, pectin was investigated to obtain an engineered jam, due to its biodegradability. Only a few examples of pectin-based nanocomposites are present in the literature, and even fewer such bionanocomposites utilize nanocarbon as a filler—mostly for use in food packaging. In the present paper, ecofriendly nanocomposites made from household reagents and displaying multiple properties are presented. In particular, the electrical behavior and viscoelastic properties of a commercial jam were modulated by loading the jam with carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoplates. A new nanocomposite class based on commercial jam was studied, estimating the percolation threshold for each filler. The electrical characterization and the rheological measurements suggest that the behavior above the percolation threshold is influenced by the different morphology—i.e., one-dimensional or two-dimensional—of the fillers. These outcomes encourage further studies on the use of household materials in producing advanced and innovative materials, in order to reduce the environmental impact of new technologies, without giving up advanced devices endowed with different physical properties.

Upcycling Systems Design, Developing a Methodology through Design

Design has an important role in shaping the modes of production, consumption and disposal. Decisions made early in the product, service and system development influence the majority of the environmental impact and social consequences. With sustainability emerging as the major challenge of our times, the creation of novel methodologies, economic models and innovative materials is critical. In this paper, we put forward a new methodology that aims to bridge the ecomodernist business-focused circular economy models with the expressive material driven design (MDD) approach. The ‘design out waste methodology’ (DOWM) bridges existing concepts, methods and practices, creating an innovative design and production process that redefines waste and sets it up as a subject of creative study. The purpose of this process is to help designers understand the importance of evaluating the entire life cycle of a product; it also enables local ‘degrowth’ by shifting our modes of production towards a human scale with local makers exchanging knowledge and expressing themselves through upcycled materials, while simultaneously eradicating the very concept of waste. The methodology has been developed in an iterative research-through-design process that combines experiential and tacit knowledge from local case studies with desk research of emerging case studies in MDD.

Influence of Implementation of Composite Materials in Maritime Industry on CO2 Emission’s Reduction

The future of the composites market looks attractive with opportunities in the transportation, construction, wind energy, pipe - tank, marine, consumer goods, electrical and electronics, aerospace, and others. The composite materials market is expected to reach an estimated $40.2 billion by 2024 and it is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 3.3% from 2019 to 2024. The composite materials that have started to be used in the production of tourist boats, especially those of the yacht type, have proved in practice the designers' expectations for the great advantages they have brought compared to steel. The performance of the new generation ships of this millennium, will require the ever-increasing use of new and innovative materials, to meet the also growing demands of potential buyers of these vehicles. On the other hand, based on the already sanctioned principles of the European Community for the observance of the norms set for CO2 emissions from maritime transport - (Green shipping) in respect of the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change, it becomes more necessary to produce marine vehicles that significantly reduce the weight of marine vessels, consequently engine power and fuel consumption by significantly reducing CO2 emissions. This study aims to bring a specific analysis of the impact of composite materials to the CO2 emission’s reduction.

Testing novel multicomposite materials for electromethanogenesis

Electromethanogenesis is an innovative technology that uses a microbial electrochemical system to produce methane from CO2, in a power-to-gas (BEP2G) concept. The results of experimental tests of new and cost-effective carbonaceous materials for electrode are presented here. The study aims at optimizing electromethanogenesis processes at laboratory level in mesothermic condition. As part of the experiments, hydrogenotrophic microorganisms (Family Metanobacteriaceae of Archaea domains) were selected from a mixed consortium taken from a biogas digestate and inoculated in double-chamber bioelectrochemical systems. The maximum amount of methane produced was 0.3 - 0.8 mol/m2g (normalized to the cathode area) with carbon cloth electrodes. Aiming at improving the methane productivity, innovative materials for the electrodes were now studied, creating porous high-surface composites, and studying nitrogen carbons doped with Cu and hydroxyapatite (Multicomposite Cu@/HAP/C), as chemical catalysts for CO2 reduction (CO2RR). The description of the procedure for the Multicomposite Cu@/HAP/C production is reported in detail.

Multiscale Innovative Materials and Structures (MIMS)

Increasing attention is growing towards advanced multiscale metamaterials and nanostructures, due to recent developments in nanoscience and nanotechnology [...]

Naturally Ventilated Double Skin Façades: Comparisons Between Different CFD Models

Double Skin Façades (DSFs) have become widespread solutions commonly employed in new and existing buildings in the last decades. Since its introduction, the multi-layered façade has improved profoundly, assuming more articulate and complex shapes for better energy performances and combining advanced technologies as innovative materials or systems. However, the effectiveness and the thermal behaviour of DSFs should be carefully evaluated since the design phase by selecting proper methodologies, thus avoiding inaccurate results. In fact, the correct estimation of the airflows inside DSF channels is heavily influenced by the simulation settings. Furthermore, the lack of measurements or empirical validations in the field is the primary source of concern for researchers. Considering the available numerical methods for investigating DSFs, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations have proven to be the most appropriate option. The present work compares multiple Double Skin Façade configurations by performing CFD analyses and adopting different turbulence models in bi- and three-dimensional domains. The results underline the capability of 2D models in predicting the fluxes inside the DSF channel and in the domain. Furthermore, comparisons among the velocity profiles estimated by adopting different turbulence formulations highlight only slight variations, especially in proximity to the perturbated areas of the cavity.

New Housing Concepts: Modular, Circular, Biobased, Reproducible, and Affordable

For a moment, it seemed that the architect had disappeared from the construction supply chain for sustainable and affordable housing provided by Dutch housing associations. Large contractors were making direct agreements with housing associations and wanted to scale up production with their housing factories. However, with the ‘So You Think You Can BUILD’ challenge, architects, consultancies, and contractors reinvented themselves within the construction supply chain and acquired a position as providers of circular building concepts. The aim of this challenge is to stimulate providers of homes to design and produce (in great numbers) affordable and sustainable houses. This not only scales up building production in empty fields but also within difficult and dense build urban areas. A whole new generation of Dutch architects, consultancies, and contractors working in collaboration are now intensively involved with circular and biobased residential buildings, innovative materials and production processes. They are managing to provide attractive products for housing associations and other clients. In the first part of 2021, ‘So You Think You Can BUILD’ challenged teams of designers, engineers and contractors to develop new concepts, with the three winners applying the principles of the ‘passive house’, which is modular and circular, as well as a smart building skin and smart core with open floor space in between.

Input, Output, and Intake

Within the language teaching-learning area, many factors can be identified as impacting the proficiency of the language students achieve. As teachers, we have gone from searching the latest technologies to creating innovative materials that motivate students, passing through the use of resources that integrate skills and curricular designs that help students develop their autonomy. It is in this environment that we consider it relevant to review basic concepts that help us understand how the information we receive needs to be converted into knowledge in order to produce the language being studied. The concepts of input, output, adn intake are reviewed and the relevance of such concepts in Second Language Learning is pointed out in this essay.

Development of approaches for ecologization of water supply in the city

The objective of this research is to develop recommendations on ecologization of water supply in the city. The authors revealed the main problems, peculiar to intercity systems of water supply and having negative impact on the environment. The negative environmental impacts of water supply problems were systematized. The priority directions of the solution of the matter of ecologization of water supply in the cities were defined. The main of these directions, i.e. the choice of innovative materials for the water supply systems, their advantages and advantages of modern pipes in various specified operating conditions was considered as a debatable question. The results of the conducted research can promote the ecologization of water supply in the cities of the Russian Federation. Some offers on water supply improvement, as well as the reasons expressed as the discussion can be useful during planning repair and replacement of water supply systems, choosing materials and technologies, during justification of ecological-and-economic efficiency of improvements.