Photobioreactors as a Dynamic Shading System Conceived for an Outdoor Workspace of the State Library of Queensland in Brisbane: Study of Daylighting Performances

In the field of responsive shading systems, the use of photobioreactors (PBRs) containing microalgae seems to be a promising technology. Within this framework, this paper presents a case study where a PBR was specifically conceived as a shading system for an external workspace located on an open terrace of the State Library of Queensland (SLQ) in Brisbane. The proposed shading system makes use of PBRs as translucent screening elements, capable of regulating natural light to provide adequate visual comfort for a multi-purpose workspace, despite exposure of the site to direct sunlight and fluctuating weather conditions. The microalgae (Scenedesmus Obliquus) cultivated within the shading elements contribute to improving the environment by bio-sequestrating CO2 and producing oxygen. They are also a valuable raw material containing bioactive compounds with various applications including nutraceutical products, livestock feed, and biofuel synthesis. In addition, their green pigmentation is visually engaging and allows for the filtration of solar radiation. The paper focuses on analyzing the daylight performance in the outdoor workplace under the PBR shade. The biomass density of the PBR is adjustable across a wide range of light transmittances (10%-80%) to counter the highly variable outdoor conditions. For different Tv values, illuminance values were calculated using the simulation tool DIVA-for-Rhino and then analyzed as both point-in-time illuminance in June, September and December, and through climate-based daylight metrics such as the Daylight Autonomy and the Useful Daylight Illuminance. As a further step, the daylighting performances were compared to two other climates (Turin, Italy, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates), to verify which setting of the PBR may be suitable for different boundary conditions, thus making the system more widely applicable. The results in Brisbane showed that for clear sky conditions, higher levels of biomass saturation are needed (Tv < 20%) to remain in the 300-3000 lx 'optimal' illuminance comfort range, with lower concentrations (Tv < 30%) to remain within the 300-6000 lx 'acceptable' illuminance comfort range. Differently, in overcast sky conditions, the optimal range of illuminance is easily obtained with reduced levels of biomass saturation (Tv < 80%)

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): New poplar clones allow an environmentally sustainable cultivation

In Italy 72 poplar clones ( Populus spp.) are registered for commercialization. They were selected for fast growth, stem shape and disease resistance. The new selections (named MSA) includes genotypes with very high resistance to all the main diseases and to one insect, Phloeomizus passerinii (Sign.). Fast growth and disease resistance allow to produce wood with low environmental and economic costs; for this reason in some Italian Regions the introduction of a percentage of these clones in poplar stand is mandatory to obtain funding for their establishment (Rural Development Plan). To better understand the environmental advantages deriving from the use of these clones, in comparison with the old genotypes (particularly ‘I-214’), a ‘Life Cycle Assessment’ approach was applied considering as impact indicator the CO 2 equivalent emissions; from stoolbed to commercial stand, primary data were collected from an Italian experience. Firstly with the Inventory Analysis all the raw material, energy, wastes and emissions related were collected for each cultivation phase. The Analysis showed a reduction of 9% of CO 2 eq. ha -1 emitted, growing MSA instead of ‘I-214’. Considering the emissions per volume of wood, ‘I-214’ requests 47.5 kg CO 2 eq. per m 3 , compared with MSA that request 36.6 kg CO 2 eq. per m 3

Uso de PCM Materiales con cambio de fase, en muros ligeros para el ahorro energético

Con el objetivo de alcanzar un desarrollo sustentable, la investigación en el campo arquitectónico se ha focalizado en el aumento del confort térmico y en la reducción del consumo de energía convencional. La aplicación de envolventes ligeras de Phase Change Materials (PCMs), acumuladores de calor latente, permite estabilizar la temperatura indoor y reducir el consumo de los sistemas de climatización

BMA tells doctors to take career breaks working in world's poorest countries

The development of new concrete products is a key issue addressed to increase thermal performance of concrete for low energy buildings. The chapter presents the results of experimental and theoretical studies aimed at investigating the potential use of wood aggregates in substitution of natural ones to produce a more sustainable and energy friendly lightweight concrete, called Mineralized Wood Concrete (MWC). Exploiting this type of aggregates, which stem from wastes of woodworking activities, a triple purpose has been achieved: * preservation of natural raw materials; * reuse of wastes; * energy saving in buildings. Furthermore, the use of wood aggregates is a way to try to develop a sustainable concrete characterized by high thermal inertia, high thermal resistance and low weight. To this aim, wood aggregates were incorporated, after a preliminary treatment that consists into a mineralization with silica fume, into two types of concretes. One of these, constituting the matrix, was composed of cement, limestone filler, admixture and water. The other one was constituted by admixture, water and Flowstone®, which is a high performance cementitious binder developed for top quality concrete products. The effects of the addition of these aggregates on mechanical and thermal properties of concrete are here presented. In particular, mechanical performances were investigated with compressive strength test. A one-dimensional heat flow model was used to predict the effective thermal conductivity of MWC. The obtained low thermal conductivity values demonstrate that inclusion of wood aggregates into concrete reduces material density to a considerable extent and significantly increases the thermal resistance. Furthermore, the use of Mineralized WoodConcrete can be associated with the idea of a different typology of relatively heavybuilding envelope: this union could answer to the demand of well-insulated building envelope and concurrently characterized by high thermal mass. From this union, a series of other goals can be derived: low weight, environmentally friendly, easily industrialized and easy on-site casting. Consequently, applications of wood concrete in building constructions may be an interesting solution in order to improve sustainability and energy efficiency of buildings

Technological Innovation Within Villas Miserias in Buenos Aires

The main objective of the proposal is to modify and to improve the current social, economic and technological condition of the “villas miserias”, the urban informal settlements in Buenos Aires, through the development of technological innovation processes. The principal strategies adopted are: the onsite production of raw material for building and construction, the development of building technologies using low and medium complexity processes to create new economic opportunities inside the formal construction market, the introduction of new building components to enhance the environmental sustainability and to improve the architectural quality of the existing “casillas”