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Category: sustainability – Page 62

Nanomaterials, with their distinctive physical and chemical properties, hold significant promise for revolutionizing the housing construction industry. By enabling the development of stronger, more durable, efficient, and sustainable structures, nanotechnology offers solutions to challenges such as climate change and global urbanization.

The use of nanomaterials in construction began in the mid-1980s with the advent of carbon-based structures. Since then, their application has become more widespread, driving innovations in the sector. Today, advances in nanotechnology are leading to the creation of increasingly sophisticated, selective, and efficient nanomaterials, broadening the scope of construction capabilities.

This study explored the application of various nanomaterials—titanium dioxide, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), nanosilica, nanocellulose, nanoalumina, and nanoclay—in residential construction. These materials were chosen for their potential to enhance the structural integrity, thermal performance, and overall functionality of building materials used in housing.

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The Driving Training Based Optimization (DTBO) algorithm, proposed by Mohammad Dehghani, is one of the novel metaheuristic algorithms which appeared in 202280. This algorithm is founded on the principle of learning to drive, which unfolds in three phases: selecting an instructor from the learners, receiving instructions from the instructor on driving techniques, and practicing newly learned techniques from the learner to enhance one’s driving abilities81,82. In this work, DTBO algorithm is used, due to its effectiveness, which was confirmed by a comparative study83 with other algorithms, including particle swarm optimization84, Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA)85, teaching learning-based optimization, Gray Wolf Optimization (GWO)86, Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA)87, and Reptile Search Algorithm (RSA)88. The comparative study has been done using various kinds of benchmark functions, such as constrained, nonlinear and non-convex functions.

Lyapunov-based Model Predictive Control (LMPC) is a control approach integrating Lyapunov function as constraint in the optimization problem of MPC89,90. This technique characterizes the region of the closed-loop stability, which makes it possible to define the operating conditions that maintain the system stability91,92. Since its appearance, the LMPC method has been utilized extensively for controlling a various nonlinear systems, such as robotic systems93, electrical systems94, chemical processes95, and wind power generation systems90. In contrast to the LMPC, both the regular MPC and the NMPC lack explicit stability restrictions and can’t combine stability guarantees with interpretability, even with their increased flexibility.

The proposed method, named Lyapunov-based neural network model predictive control using metaheuristic optimization approach (LNNMPC-MOA), includes Lyapunov-based constraint in the optimization problem of the neural network model predictive control (NNMPC), which is solved by the DTBO algorithm. The suggested controller consists of two parts: the first is responsible for calculating predictions using a neural network model of the feedforward type, and the second is responsible to resolve the constrained nonlinear optimization problem using the DTBO algorithm. This technique is suggested to solve the nonlinear and non-convex optimization problem of the conventional NMPC, ensure on-line optimization in reasonable time thanks to their easy implementation and guaranty the stability using the Lyapunov function-based constraint. The efficiency of the proposed controller regarding to the accuracy, quickness and robustness is assessed by taking into account the speed control of a three-phase induction motor, and its stability is mathematically ensured using the Lyapunov function-based constraint. The acquired results are compared to those of NNMPC based on DTBO algorithm (NNMPC-DTBO), NNMPC using PSO algorithm (NNMPC-PSO), Fuzzy Logic controller optimized by TLBO (FLC-TLBO) and optimized PID controller using PSO algorithm (PID-PSO)95.

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“Establishing that there is a big reservoir of liquid water provides some window into what the climate was like or could be like,” said Dr. Michael Manga.

While Mars is incapable of having liquid water on its surface, what about underground, and how much could there be? This is what a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences hopes to address as a team of researchers investigated how liquid water might be present beneath the Martian surface. This study holds the potential to help researchers not only better understand the current conditions on the Red Planet, but also if these same conditions could have led to life existing on the surface in the past.

For the study, the researchers analyzed seismic data obtained by NASA’s now-retired InSight lander, which landed on Mars in 2018 and sent back valuable data regarding the interior of Mars until the mission ended in 2022. This was after mission planners determined the amount of dust that had collected on the lander’s solar panels did not allow for sufficient solar energy to keep it functioning. However, despite being expired for two years, scientists continued to pour over vast amounts of data regarding the interior of Mars.

Now, after combining this seismic data with models used on Earth to map underground oil fields and aquifers, the researchers determined that igneous rocks (cooled magma) are drenched in liquid water between 11.5 and 20 kilometers (7.15 and 12.4 miles) beneath the Martian surface. Additionally, they ascertained the volume of this liquid water could cover the entire surface of Mars up to approximately one-mile deep. The presence of liquid water beneath the surface could help scientists better understand the water cycle on Mars, but accessing this water for future astronauts or colonists is out of the question given its depth.

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Inventing a new, faster way to produce sustainable, self-dyed leather alternatives is a major achievement for synthetic biology and sustainable fashion. Professor Tom Ellis

Synthetic chemical dyeing is one of the most environmentally toxic processes in fashion, and black dyes – especially those used in colouring leather – are particularly harmful. The researchers at Imperial set out to use biology to solve this.

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How can older trees help combat climate change? This is what a recent study published in Nature Climate Change hopes to address as an international team of researchers investigated changes in woody biomass in older trees that have been while exposed to free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) resulting from climate change. This study holds the potential to help researchers, climate scientists, and the public better understand the steps that can be taken to decrease CO2 emissions and combat climate change worldwide.

For the study, the researchers, led by the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR), conducted a FACE experiment through a combination of canopy laser scanning and tree-ring analysis to examine the 180-year-old Quercus robur L. woodland in central England between 2021and 2022. The goal was ascertaining the effectiveness of older trees compared to younger trees regarding their consumption of CO2, also known as CO2 storage. In the end, the researchers found increased levels of CO2 compared to ambient conditions in 2021 and 2022, respectively, equivalent to 1.7 tons of dry matter per hectare per year.

“Our findings refute the notion that older, mature forests cannot respond to rising levels of atmospheric CO2, but how they respond will likely depend on the supply of nutrients from the soil,” said Dr. Richard Norby from the University of Birmingham, who is lead author of the study. “Evidence from BIFoR FACE of a significant increase in woody biomass production supports the role of mature, long-established, forests as natural climate solutions in the coming decades while society strives to reduce its dependency on carbon.”

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Researchers at the University of Maryland genetically modified poplar trees to produce high-performance, structural wood without the use of chemicals or energy-intensive processing. Made from traditional wood, engineered wood is often seen as a renewable replacement for traditional building materials like steel, cement, glass and plastic. It also has the potential to store carbon for a longer time than traditional wood because it can resist deterioration, making it useful in efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

But the hurdle to true sustainability in engineered wood is that it requires processing with volatile chemicals and a significant amount of energy, and produces considerable waste. The researchers edited one gene in live poplar trees, which then grew wood ready for engineering without processing.

The research was published online on August 12, 2024, in the Journal Matter.

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Australian scientists have joined an elite club of just eight around the world, making a perovskite solar cell that can hit 30 per cent efficiency.

Led by storied University of Sydney professor Anita Ho-Baillie, the Sydney team’s work was weighed and measured by the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

“It shows that we are capable of producing high performance cells. The next step we will achieve is higher performance, either by double junction or triple junction,” Ho-Baillie says.

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This LHP (loop heat pipe) is unprecedented in transporting such a large amount of heat without electricity.

In a groundbreaking development, scientists at Nagoya University in Japan have created the world’s most powerful loop heat pipe (LHP), capable of transporting an astounding 10 kilowatts of heat without using any electricity. This innovation promises to revolutionize energy efficiency across multiple industries, from electric vehicles to data centers.

Understanding Loop Heat Pipes

Before delving into the significance of this breakthrough, let’s explore what loop heat pipes are and how they work. LHPs are passive heat transfer devices that use the principles of phase change and capillary action to move heat from one place to another. They consist of an evaporator, a condenser, and connecting pipes filled with a working fluid.

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SpaceX is working towards the goal of landing both the super heavy booster and Starship on a drone ship in the ocean, which has the potential to revolutionize space travel and support their mission for greater sustainability and reusability Questions to inspire discussion What is SpaceX’s goal for landing the super heavy booster and Starship?

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