Enaction in adaptive architecture

Our life is becoming increasingly computerised at nearly all scales, a trend evident in terms such as the Smart City, the Smart Home, or the Internet of Things. The introduction of digital technology enables environments to respond to data gathered from many of our behaviours. A growing field of architectural design and research focuses on kinetic responses to inhabitant behaviour. However, the specific modes of interaction as well as the effects of such environmental responses on their inhabitants are currently underexplored. Using a literature-based approach, we argue that because such digitally augmented environments respond to bodily behaviours of their inhabitants, one important dimension of investigation is the embodied relationship between the architectural space and its occupant. One perspective that offers insight into this relationship is the so called enactive approach to cognition, describing mutual influences between inhabitant and environment, which can create autonomous behaviour dynamics. Understanding the enacted relationship between inhabitants and environment will help architects create kinetically responsive environments that benefit their inhabitants physiologically and psychologically. The paper concludes with an overview of our lab-based research already conducted and current investigations

Using adaptive architecture to support yoga practices: social considerations for design

The field of Adaptive Architecture aims to design built environments, which truly adapt to their occupants. ExoBuilding is an in-house prototypical example of Adaptive Architecture, which actuates in response to breathing and heart- rate of its occupants. In this work-in-progress paper, we discuss our aims to apply the technology to the practice of Yoga, in which a core aspect is controlled breathing. We explore the social considerations of deploying this novel technology, and then examine the different possibilities for interaction

Adaptive Architecture:Regulating human building interaction

In this paper, we explore the regulatory, technical and interactional implications of Adaptive Architecture (AA) and how it will recalibrate the nature of human-building interaction. We comprehensively unpack the emergence and history of this novel concept, reflecting on the current state of the art and policy foundations supporting it. As AA is underpinned by the Internet of Things (IoT), we consider how regulatory and surveillance issues posed by the IoT are manifesting in the built environment. In our analysis, we utilise a prominent architectural model, Stuart Brand’s Shearing Layers, to understand temporal change and informational flows across different physical layers of a building. We use three AA applications to situate our analysis, namely a smart IoT security camera; an AA research prototype; and an AA commercial deployment. Focusing on emerging information privacy and security regulations, particularly the EU General Data Protection Regulation 2016, we examine AA from 5 perspectives: physical & information security risks; challenges of establishing responsibility; enabling occupant rights over flows, collection, use & control of personal data; addressing increased visibility of emotions and bodies; understanding surveillance of everyday routine activities. We conclude with key challenges for AA regulation and the future of human–building interaction

Techno-economic assessment of conversion processes for biomass to products: technology concepts for the conversion of biomass and biogenic residues

Within the framework of this techno-economic assessment, the possible contribution of the platform technology Thermo-Catalytic Reforming (TCR®) to reduce CO2 emissions, save resources, and solve waste problems was evaluated. The selection of the feedstocks included samples of sewage sludge, woody biomass, algae, organic fraction of municipal solid waste, leather residues, peat, lignite, and selected mixtures thereof. These feedstocks were processed in a lab-scale TCR plant with a capacity of 2 kg/h and converted into oil, gas, and carbonisates. It is targeted to utilize these products as substitutes for fossil resources for energetic and material usage. For each feedstock, optimum process parameters, correlations regarding feedstock and product composition and yields, and measures to optimize the technology, were identified. The experimental results were used as a basis for the economic evaluation. To identify promising value chains, the levelized costs/levelized revenues approach was adopted for multi-product processes. State of the art technologies and the products thereof were the benchmark. By linking the results of the technical and economic evaluation, the optimum utilization pathways for the processed feedstocks, related products, and potentials to increase the competitiveness of the technology were identified

Facilitated visual interpretation of scores in principal component analysis by bioactivity-labeling of ¹H NMR spectra - metabolomics investigation and identification of a new α-glucosidase inhibitor in Radix Astragali

Radix Astragali is a component of several traditional medicines used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in China. Radix Astragali is known to contain isoflavones, which inhibit α-glucosidase in the small intestines, and thus lowers the blood glucose levels. In this study, 21 samples obtained from different regions of China were extracted with ethyl acetate, then the IC50-values were determined, and the crude extracts were analyzed by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. A principal component analysis of the 1H-NMR spectra labeled with their IC50-values, that is, bioactivity-labeled 1H-NMR spectra, showed a clear correlation between spectral profiles and the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The loading plot and LC-HRMS/NMR of microfractions indicated that previously unknown long chain ferulates could be partly responsible for the observed antidiabetic activity of Radix Astragali. Subsequent preparative scale isolation revealed a compound not previously reported, linoleyl ferulate (1), showing α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50 0.5 mM) at a level comparable to the previously studied isoflavones. A closely related analogue, hexadecyl ferulate (2), did not show significant inhibitory activity, and the double bonds in the alcohol part of 1 seem to be important structural features for the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. This proof of concept study demonstrates that bioactivity-labeling of the 1H-NMR spectral data of crude extracts allows global and nonselective identification of individual constituents contributing to the crude extract’s bioactivity

EN-fuels from solid waste biomass by thermo-catalytic reforming

Intermediate pyrolysis describes a process of converting feedstock by heating it up in the absence of oxygen under moderate, “intermediate” conditions. Typical conditions are a residence time for solids between 5 to 30 minutes, low heating rates and temperatures between 350 °C - 450 °C. Due to these conditions intermediate pyrolysis has remarkable advantages regarding the feedstock, compared to other processes based on flash pyrolysis. Large particles, like pellets or chips can be used. Dry matter content can be below 50% from a technical point of view. For economic reasons the dry matter should be more than 70 % to avoid using energy mainly for drying. However, this dry matter is still very low compared to the requirements of most flash pyrolysis reactors. Another advantage is the use of variable and heterogeneous feedstock, preferably residue and waste biomass. The feedstock can vary from agricultural residues, biogas digestate, municipal and industrial biowaste to sewage sludge. The latest development of the intermediate pyrolysis technology is Fraunhofer UMSICHT´s Thermo-Catalytic Reforming process (TCR®). It is a novel process for the production of char, gas, and bio-oils with improved properties. One significant innovation of TCR® is the integrated downstream catalytic reforming step. This multi-patented technology enables the high quality of the final products carbonisate, syngas, and oil. The robustness of the process permits the utilization of various biogenic feedstocks. The yield of the products depends on the chemical properties of the feedstocks, whereas the quality and characteristics of the products are due the robustness of the process, largely independent of the feedstocks. With the focus on the TCR® oil there is one unique selling point: The oil is thermally stable and therefore distillable. This is the basis for other thermal upgrading processes like e.g. hydro-treatment. Furthermore, the thermal stability of the TCR® oil is a basic prerequisite for usage in the fossil petrol processing industry. This includes, among other applications, combined heat and power (CHP) plants. Additional unique properties are the low water content, the low total acid number, and the high heating value. The high quality of the crude TCR®-oil can be further improved to EN fuel quality by distillation and hydrodeoxygenation (HDO). For hydrodeoxygenation sulfonated NiMo catalyst at temperatures of around 370 °C and a pressures in the range of 140 bar and with LHSV of 0.3 per hour were applied. The resulting products showed full properties of standard hydrocarbon fuels. A separation into diesel and petrol fraction by rectification demonstrated, that both fractions met the fossil fuel standards (EN 228 and EN 590). Through hydrotreating the hydrogen content was increased and the oxygen, sulphur and nitrogen content was significant lowered or respectively removed in an efficient way with a yield over 85 %. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract