Spatial Coherence Resonance near Pattern-Forming Instabilities

The analogue of temporal coherence resonance for spatial degrees of freedom is reported. Specifically, we show that spatiotemporal noise is able to optimally extract an intrinsic spatial scale in nonlinear media close to (but before) a pattern-forming instability. This effect is observed in a model of pattern-forming chemical reaction and in the Swift-Hohenberg model of fluid convection. In the latter case, the phenomenon is described analytically via an approximate approach.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Identification of genes differentially expressed in P. pinea and P. pinaster after infection with the pine wood nematode (PWD) using the SSH technique

O objectivo deste estudo consistiu na comparação da resposta à infecção com o nemátode da madeira do pinheiro (NMP) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus entre Pinus pinaster e Pinus pinea no estádio inicial da doença, três horas após inoculação. O NMP é o agente causal da doença da madeira do pinheiro, tem em Portugal como hospedeiro principal o pinheiro bravo, P. pinaster, e tem como vector Monochamus galloprovincialis. Curiosamente, esta doença parece não afectar a espécie P. pinea e vários factores podem estar na origem desta diferença de susceptibilidade. Nas primeiras horas após uma infecção por patogénios, a árvore desenvolve uma resposta hipersensitiva, que consiste na produção de proteínas de resistência, entre outros compostos cruciais de defesa. Actualmente, não há estudos que descrevam os efeitos da infecção do nemátode nas plantas a um estádio inicial da doença. No que diz respeito aos efeitos fisiológicos e metabólicos nas plantas, verificou-se uma diminuição de 10,9% no teor de água em P. pinaster (por comparação com árvores inoculadas com água) e 6,7% em P. pinea; relativamente à concentração de clorofilas, uma diminuição para cerca de metade do valor controlo foi registado para ambas as espécies, mas mais pronunciadamente em P. pinaster. Um estudo exploratório com GC também foi efectuado, que demonstrou que os compostos voláteis produzidos permitem uma clara diferenciação entre espécies, mas não entre inoculação controlo vs. nemátode. No que diz respeito aos efeitos da doença ao nível da transcrição de genes, utilizou-se a técnica de SSH para identificar ESTs em P. pinaster e P. pinea inoculados com NMP. Os ESTs foram isolados, clonados, sequenciados e identificados usando BlastN e BlastX, e indicam claramente que no estádio inicial da doença existe a activação de uma resposta de defesa ao nível molecular relacionada principalmente com o stress oxidativo, produção de lenhina e de etileno e regulação pós-transcripcional dos ácidos nucleicos. Finalmente, 58% das sequências isoladas não estão ainda descritas, o que mostra a falta de informação genómica actual existente para o pinheiro.The purpose of this study was to compare the response to infection with the pine wood nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus between Pinus pinaster and Pinus pinea at an initial stage of the disease, three hours after inoculation. The PWN is the causal agent of pine wilt disease, in Portugal its main host is the maritime pine, P. pinaster, and its vector is Monochamus galloprovincialis. Interestingly, this disease does not seem to affect the species P. pinea and several factors could be behind this difference in susceptibility. At the first hours following infection by pathogens, the tree develops a hypersensitive response, which includes the production of resistance proteins, among other compounds crucial to the defence mechanism. Currently there are no studies that describe the effects of nematode infection in plants at an early stage of the disease. With regards to the physiological and metabolic indicators of the disease response in the plants, there was a decrease of 10.9% of water content in P. pinaster (compared with trees inoculated with water) and 6.7% in P. pinea; in the study of total chlorophyll concentration, a decrease to about half of the control value was recorded for both species, but more pronounced in P. pinaster. An exploratory study was also made with GC, which showed that the volatile compounds produced were distinctive between species, but not between control vs. nematode-inoculated plants. With regards to the effects of the disease at a transcriptional level, the SSH technique was utilized to identify ESTs in P. pinaster and P. pinea when inoculated with NMP. ESTs were isolated, cloned, sequenced and identified using BlastN and BlastX, and clearly indicated that at an initial stage of the disease there is activation of a defence response at a molecular level, mainly related to oxidative stress, production of lignin and ethylene and posttranscriptional regulation of nucleic acids. 58% of the isolated sequences are not yet described, which shows the lack of genomic information currently available for pine

Unravelling the molecular and physiological components that contribute to iron deficiency chlorosis

Iron (Fe) deficiency chlorosis (IDC) is a serious condition affecting plants which are grown under calcareous or water logged soils. Under such conditions,Fe forms insoluble oxides and becomes unavailable for plant uptake, leading to stunted growth and severe yield reduction, causing aggravated agricultural losses. In the past years,efforts have been made to increase plant Fe content(so-called plant biofortification), in order to reduce the incidence of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) prevalent around the world. To this end, legume grains and cereals, due to their rich nutritional profile and high worldwide intake by the population,have gained an important role in biofortification studies, which depend on the available molecular and physiological data for their successful implementation. The aim of this thes is was to contribute to the understanding of the molecular, physiological and biochemical mechanisms associated to Fe uptake and transport in Fe-stressed plants and to test a new class of Fe chelates as an efficient tool to prevent IDC. With the purpose of understanding the transcriptomic response to Fe deficiency in a set of different legume species, a non-targeted analysis was performed using Illumina technology. Transcriptome analysis was performed in the roots of soybean (Glycine max), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and barrel medic (Medicago truncatula) grown in Fe deficiency and Fe sufficiency, and 114,723 annotated genes were obtained for all samples. Four IDC-related gene families were up-regulated in common by the three species and can be considered key players involved in the IDC response, namely, metal ligands, transferases, zinc ion binding and metal ion binding genes. Also, amongst the most highly expressed genes were genes of theisoflavonoid pathway and, on the other hand, oxidoreductases were the most down-regulated genes.Still on the search for IDC molecular players, two targetedgenetic analyses were performed,one on G.maxand M. truncatula and another on rice (Oryza sativa). Both studies involved the growth of plants under Fe sufficiency and Fe deficiency in order to compare the regulation of IDC related genes. Soybean and barrel medicare strategy I-crops,which means that, before uptake, they need to reduce Fe(III) to Fe(II) via an enzyme encoded by the FRO2 gene and, afterwards, Fe(II) is transported to the roots via ametal transporter encoded by the IRT1 gene. The expression of these two genes was analysed and both behaved similarly between species, appearingto be co-regulated.Moreover, the Fe transportersYSL1 andVIT1and the main Fe storage protein-encoding gene –ferritin–were up-regulated in the presence of Fe. The NRAMP3 gene, responsible for Fe remobilization from the vacuoles, was up-regulated under Fe deficiency,as was theGCN2gene, indicating a putative role of the latterin Fe metabolism and homeostasis.The targeted study performed in rice, a strategy II cereal that releases phytosiderophores in order to chelate and absorb Fe, involved the analysis of two rice cultivars with distinct susceptibilities to IDC –cv. Nipponbare and cv. Bico Branco. This different susceptibility was confirmed by their contrasting leaf chlorosis development and tissue nutrient accumulation patterns. Thecv. Nipponbare, that showed lower IDC susceptibility, was able to induce higher levels of the key reduction enzyme activity(Fe reductase)and showed higher levels of expression of the strategy I-OsFRO2 gene in roots.In contrast, cv. Bico Branco induced more genes involved in strategy II, specially, the transcription factor OsIRO2 and the phytosiderophore precursor OsTOM1.The screening for tolerant genotypes to IDC is an important tool in plant breeding programs. The most common IDC indicator is the degree of chlorosis development, which is quantified using a numerical scale. Therefore, after gathering the molecular data, the physiological mechanisms triggered by IDC were studied. The model crop G. max was selected,as it comprises lines well characterized according to their IDC-susceptibilities. To this end, two studies were performed. In the first study we aimed at understanding if the ability to partition Fe could be related to Fe-efficiency. We concluded that IDC susceptible lines, when compared to efficient lines,have lower ability to translocate Fe to the shoots, having about two fold higher Fe content at the root level, and they have lower capacity to induce the ferric reductase enzyme, having about three fold lower enzyme activity. In the second study the regulation of the antioxidant and tetrapyrrole systems under Fe deficiency was analysedfor the first time and we inferred that higher levels of oxidative stress might induce the oxidation of the tetrapyrrole heme into hemin, which leads to the induction of the heme-containing catalase enzyme and the reduction of ferric reductase activity. Taken together, the previous results indicate that low ferric reductase activity and Fe accumulation in the root tissue could be added as new IDC-related physiological markers.The application of fertilizers and Fe chelating agentsis one of the most frequently used tools to manage IDC. However, most of them are ineffective,too expensive or recalcitrant in the environment. Hence, the search for new Fe chelates is of utmost importance. In the last step of this thesis, we investigated the potential of a tris(3-hydroxy-4-pyridinonate) Fe(III) complex(Fe(mpp)3, which has never be enutilized in agricultural context)as na Fe fertilizer. Soybean plants were grown hydroponically under Fe deficiency and with Fe(mpp)3or Fe EDDHA supplementation. Results of both physiological and molecular markers showed that the new Fe complex led to healthier plants with increased growthby 24%,42% higher SPAD units and lower Fe retention in the roots.In general, the results presented in this thesis have contributed to a better understanding of the IDC-associated mechanisms and elucidated the key factors to be considered when analysing Fe deficient plants and their defence responses.Aclorose por deficiência de ferro (Fe) é uma condição grave que afeta plantas em solos calcários ou alagados. Sob estas condições, o Fe forma óxidos insolúveis e torna-se indisponível para absorção pelas plantas, o que conduz a um crescimento diminuído e a uma redução severa na produção, resultando em perdas agronómicas agravadas. Nos últimos anos, têm sido desenvolvidos estudos no sentido de aumentar o conteúdo de Fe nos tecidos vegetais (biofortificação), de forma a reduzir a incidência da anemia por deficiência de Fe prevalente no mundo. Com este objetivo, as leguminosas e os cereais, dado o seu perfil nutricional rico e o seu alto consumo pela população mundial, têm ganho particular enfoque nos estudos de bio fortificação, cujos resultados dependem da informação molecular e fisiológica disponível. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi contribuir para a compreensão dos mecanismos moleculares, fisiológicos e bioquímicos associados à absorção e transporte de Fe, bem como o estudo do potencial de uma nova classe de quelantes de Fe como uma ferramenta eficaz na prevenção da clorose férrica.Com o objetivo de compreender a resposta transcritómica à deficiência de Fe num conjunto de diferentes espécies de leguminosas, foi realizada uma análise não-direcionada com recurso à tecnologia Illumina. A análise transcritómica foi realizada nas raízes de soja (Glycine max), feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris) e luzerna-cortada (Medicago truncatula), crescidas em deficiência ou suficiência de Fe. Deste estudo, identificaram-se114.723 genes para todas as amostras. Quatro famílias de genes, nomeadamente ligandos de metais, transferases, proteína quinase e genes de ligação a metais e iões de zinco, foram sobre-expressas pelas três espécies e podem ter um papel relevante na resposta à clorose férrica. Entre os genes específicos mais expressos em deficiência de Fe, identificaram-se também genes da via dos isoflavonóides. Por outro lado, entre os genes cuja expressão foi diminuída sob deficiência de Fe, identificaram-se genes codificantes de oxidoreductases. Realizaram-se também dois estudos direcionados, um em G. maxe M. truncatulae outro em arroz (Oryza sativa). Ambos os estudos implicaram o crescimento de plantas com e sem suplementação de Fe, por forma a comparar a regulação de genes relacionados com a clorose férrica. A soja e a luzerna-cortada são leguminosas que utilizam a estratégia I, o que significa que, antes da absorção pelas raízes, elas necessitam de reduzir o Fe (III) a Fe(II) utilizando uma enzima codificada pelo gene FRO2 e, depois deste passo, o Fe (II) é transportado por um transportador de metais codificado pelo gene IRT1. A expressão destes dois genes foi estudada e verificou-se que ambos comportaram-se de forma semelhante entre espécies, sugerindo que a sua expressão é co-regulada. Estudaram-se também os transportadores de Fe YSL1 e VIT1, e o gene codificante da principal proteína de armazenamento de Fe –a ferritina–tendo sido todos sobre-expressos na presença de Fe. O gene NRAMP3, responsável pela remobilização do Fe dos vacúolos, foi sobre-expresso na deficiência de Fe, tal como o gene GCN2, o que sugeriu um possível papel deste último no metabolismo e homeostasia do Fe. No estudo realizado com o arroz, um cereal que utiliza a estratégia IIe que liberta fitosideróforos para quelatar e absorver o Fe, analisaram-se duas cultivares de arroz com suscetibilidades distintas à clorose férrica–cv. Nipponbare e cv. Bico Branco. A suscetibilidade diferencial foi confirmada pelo padrão oposto obtido nos resultados do desenvolvimento da clorose férrica e da acumulação de nutrientes nos tecidos. A cv. Nipponbare, que demonstrou menor suscetibilidade à clorose férrica, induziu níveis mais altos da enzima reductase férrica nas raízes, responsável pela redução de Fe(III), assim como do gene correspondente, OsFRO2, típico da estratégia I. Pelo contrário, a cv. Bico Branco induziu maiores níveis dos genes envolvidos na estratégia II, em particular, o fator de transcrição OsIRO3 e o precursor de fitosideróforos OsTOM1.A seleção de cultivares tolerantes à deficiência de Fe é uma ferramenta importante para programas de melhoramento de plantas. O indicador de clorose férrica mais comum é o grau de desenvolvimento de clorose, que é quantificado com uma escala numérica. Assim, após reunir os dados moleculares, estudaram-se os mecanismos fisiológicos associados à clorose férrica. A soja foi selecionada como espécie-modelo pelo facto de incluir diversas linhas amplamente caracterizadas de acordo com a sua suscetibilidade à clorose férrica. Deste modo, este estudo foi dividido em duas análises principais. Na primeira análise,o objetivo foi compreender se a capacidade de partição de Fe podia ser relacionada com a eficiência de Fe. Concluiu-se que as linhas suscetíveis, em comparação com as linhas eficientes, tiveram uma capacidade menor de translocação do Fe para a parte aérea da planta, acumulando cerca do dobro do conteúdo de Fe nas raízes e, mais ainda, estas linhas tinham também níveis três vezes mais baixos de atividade da enzima reductase. Na segunda análise estudou-se, pela primeira vez, a regulação dos sistemas antioxidante e tetrapirrólico na deficiência de Fe e observou-se que níveis superiores de stress oxidativo podem induzir a oxidação da molécula heme em hemina, que resulta na indução da enzima catalase e na redução da atividade da enzima reductase, sendo que ambas possuem o grupo heme na sua estrutura. Em suma, os resultados anteriores indicam que uma atividade baixa da enzima reductase férrica e acumulação de Fe nas raízes podem ser novos indicadores fisiológicos para a clorose férrica. A aplicação de fertilizantes e de agentes quelantes de Fe é uma das estratégias mais utilizadas para tratar a clorose férrica. Porém, muitos destes produtos são ineficazes, dispendiosos ou recalcitrantes no ambiente. Como tal, o desenvolvimento de novos quelatos de Fe é de extrema importância. Na última parte desta tese investigou-se o potencial de um complexo do grupo tris (3-hydroxy-4-pyridinonate) Fe (III) (Fe (mpp)3, nunca utilizado em contexto agronómico)como um fertilizante novo de Fe. Plantas de soja foram crescidas em hidroponia sob deficiência de Fe ou suplementadas com Fe(mpp)3ou Fe EDDHA. Quer os resultados dos marcadores fisiológicos, quer dos moleculares demonstraram que, com o novo complexo de Fe, as plantas desenvolveram-se de forma mais saudável, obtendo um crescimento superior em 24%, 42% maior acumulação de clorofilas e menor retenção de Fe nas raízes. Em geral, os resultados apresentados nesta tese contribuíram para uma melhor compreensão dos mecanismos associados à clorose férrica e esclareceram alguns dos fatores chave a considerar na análise das respostas de defesa de plantas sob stress de ferro

Family relations, parents’ educational practices, and Angolan adolescents’ values

The purpose of this study was three-fold. First, to analyze psychometric properties of the instruments used to evaluate the perceived Family relations, Familiar socialization and Angolan adolescents’ Values. Second, to predict the adolescents’ Values based on Family relations and Family socialization.Third, to analyze adolescents’ Values sex differences. For this aim, 917 adolescents (384 males, 533 females) ages 14 to 17 years (M = 15.68; SD = 1.06)completed Portuguese translations of the Family relations, Family socialization and Value questionnaires. When psychometric properties of the instruments were assessed, a Structural Equation Model (SEM) controlling for sex was carried out, with Family relations and Family socialization as independent variables, and adolescents’ Values as dependent variables. Results showed acceptable psychometric properties of the Portuguese versions of the instruments. Related to the SEM, Familiar functioning predicted Achievement, Universalism, Securityand Conformity; Parents’ Support predicted Benevolence and Conformity; Family difficulties were negatively related with Achievement and Conformity; and Punishment/coercion were negatively related with Achievement, Benevolence and Conformity. The sex variable only differentiated two adolescents’ values. Boys assigned priority to Universalism and girls assigned priority to Conformity. These findings are discussed with regard to the implications to adolescents’ socialization

Análisis de la Indústria de Automoción en el Reino Unido

Reino Unido (R.U.) es un país peculiar, con multitud aspectos diferentes respecto a otros países, y más concretamente en la forma de conducir y en su red de carreteras. Cuenta con una gran tradición automovilística desde principios del siglo 20, y a lo largo de este tiempo han surgido importantes marcas. En cuanto al panorama actual de su industria automovilística, está experimentando un crecimiento considerable después de las inversiones de años anteriores, y la recuperación de la economía global. Reino Unido está siendo uno de los países con mayor número de contrataciones actualmente. Mucha gente piensa que su industria automotriz ha estado en un estado de decadencia desde la década de 1960. Pero aunque no hay grandes fabricantes de automóviles de propiedad británica, la industria está en muy buena forma. Empresas como Nissan y Honda se instalaron en Reino Unido; marcas icónicas como Rolls-Royce y Bentley, ahora en manos de los gigantes alemanes BMW y Volkswagen, respectivamente (BMW también es propietaria de Mini, que se hace en Oxford), todavía están diseñando y fabricando en Reino Unido; y Tata de la India ha revitalizado Jaguar y Land Rover, con nuevos modelos. De hecho, Gran Bretaña hace y exporta más coches ahora que en cualquier momento. Todo ello también repercute en los proveedores de componentes para estas empresas, y por lo tanto, en su mayor producción. Hay una gran centralización de las principales marcas y de sus proveedores, localizándose la mayoría en el centro del país. Lo cual es beneficioso para la movilidad laboral. Está muy bien comunicado con todo Reino Unido y mediante sus aeropuertos, con Europa. Cuenta con varios centros de investigación e instalaciones de desarrollo liderando grandes proyectos, sobre todo en la reducción de emisiones de carbono, y con una importante base académica que proporciona algunos de los mejores ingenieros y diseñadores del mundo. Muchas universidades ofrecen estudios centrados en este sector. Y en el ámbito de la competición de motor, es un país referente pues tiene multitud de eventos, carreras a lo largo del año y la mayoría de equipos tienen su sede aquí. También, buscan superar los límites y por ello, ingenieros ingleses participan para batir el récord de velocidad. Además, el coche eléctrico está emergiendo y las principales marcas están empezando a apostar por estos nuevos coches de fuente alternativa de energía. Por lo que esta industria tiene asegurada su vitalidad para los próximos años. En definitiva, Reino Unido tiene multitud de oportunidades para desarrollar una carrera profesional en la industria de la automoción, y en diferentes ámbitos.Departamento de Ingeniería Energética y FluidomecánicaMáster en Ingeniería de Automoció

The linkage between corporate social responsibility and the main benefits obtained from the integration of multiple management systems in Bangladesh

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the perceived benefits offered by integrated management system (IMS) in the readymade garments (RMG) sector in Bangladesh and the respective linkage with corporate social responsibility (CSR) to promote sustainable development. This study presents a list of IMS benefits composed of different international management standards according to ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, OSHAS 18001: 2007 and SA 8000:2014. Design/methodology/approach: To identify the possible benefits of IMS, a systematic literature review was conducted from 2009 to 2019, namely, in the database of Elsevier, Emerald and John Wiley. A questionnaire survey was developed with the purpose of examining the perceived main benefits of IMS. The questionnaire was e-mailed to 355 representatives of 15 RMG sectors in Bangladesh. A total of 256 complete and useable responses were received, constituting the base of this work. Subsequently, statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 20 software. Findings: The main findings of the present study show that the most important five benefits of IMS in RMG sector in Bangladesh are better capacity to achieve organization’s objectives, optimum use of various resources, business sustainability, synergies of different management policies and reduction of duplication efforts. Practical implications: Two major limitations of the study are as follows: first, it is not a longitudinal study; second, IMS benefits were examined in the national sector context. The present study has both theoretical and practical implications. The study presents a comprehensive list of IMS benefits that contribute to the existing literature from a theoretical point of view. On the other hand and from a practical point of view, this study encourages managers to implement IMS in their organizations. Originality/value: This study helps in understanding the contribution of IMS benefits to cleaner production and CSR in Bangladesh. The focus on the benefits of IMS in the RMG sector in Bangladesh is another significant aspect of this study because it promotes the development of environmental policies linked to CSR with stakeholder engagement, as a driver to sustainable development

Col.laboratori (CIRAX) and LORO, collaborative networks for educational repositories and teaching communities

This study focuses on the connection between LORO (Language Open Resources Online), from Department of Language at the Open University, and the prototype CIRAX (Collaborative Interuniversity Learning Resources on the Net), from the Consortium of University Libraries of Catalonia (CBUC). LORO is a consolidated and successful languages teaching and learning repository that was developed with UKOER JISC funding and institutional support. In 2011 it was highly commended in OPAL awards for quality in innovation through Open Educational Practice. LORO was identified as an appropriate and effective experience to learn from and apply to the new CIRAX, which aims to be a radical step forward in creating a teaching community and a space for interuniversity collaboration The evaluation and effectiveness of LORO in changing educators’ practice and the valuable evidences showing that a repository is more accepted and used if those who are affected, educators, participate in the decision making and its implementation, clearly marks the way to be followed by CIRAX. These two projects share a common purpose in helping teachers to become a learning community that systematically uses learning materials stored in a shared repository, and both are also active in the creation, maintenance, and sharing of resources and methodologies for learning. In short, both projects strive to continuously improve the quality of teaching and the progress from the experience and reflective practice. LORO has become effectively embedded in institutional practice at the UK OU and in engaging with other disciplinary users nationally to activate a discipline-based community of educators. Whether this approach can be applied across different discipline areas is a question for its future

Col.laboratori (CIRAX) and LORO, collaborative networks for educational repositories and teaching communities

This study focuses on the connection between LORO (Language Open Resources Online), from Department of Language at the Open University, and the prototype CIRAX (Collaborative Interuniversity Learning Resources on the Net), from the Consortium of University Libraries of Catalonia (CBUC). LORO is a consolidated and successful languages teaching and learning repository that was developed with UKOER JISC funding and institutional support. In 2011 it was highly commended in OPAL awards for quality in innovation through Open Educational Practice. LORO was identified as an appropriate and effective experience to learn from and apply to the new CIRAX, which aims to be a radical step forward in creating a teaching community and a space for interuniversity collaboration The evaluation and effectiveness of LORO in changing educators’ practice and the valuable evidences showing that a repository is more accepted and used if those who are affected, educators, participate in the decision making and its implementation, clearly marks the way to be followed by CIRAX. These two projects share a common purpose in helping teachers to become a learning community that systematically uses learning materials stored in a shared repository, and both are also active in the creation, maintenance, and sharing of resources and methodologies for learning. In short, both projects strive to continuously improve the quality of teaching and the progress from the experience and reflective practice. LORO has become effectively embedded in institutional practice at the UK OU and in engaging with other disciplinary users nationally to activate a discipline-based community of educators. Whether this approach can be applied across different discipline areas is a question for its future

Shaping the conscious behaviors of product designers in the early stages of projects: promoting correct material selection and green self-identity through a new conceptual model

Material selection for product design is a complex task. Thus, one of the objectives of this work is to analyze and understand and to promote the importance of material selection to conceive quality products with the help of designers that promote green self-identity in the early stage of new product conception. A questionnaire was sent to professional designers and engineers. Thirty-eight responses were validated, which represented the sample for this study. The aspects that influence the complex material selection process and the final quality of the products through the design and production process are presented. Taking into consideration the responses from product designers who work in the market, as well as some engineers and students who are graduating in product design, a new approach for material selection was developed. Based on a collection of main ideas from the traditional and non-traditional material selection methods, seeking to group the maximum requirements of both methods, and inspired by the “canvas” model on the basic modular methodology, a new model for new product projects is presented. Our study focuses on material selection, since this aspect is one of the most relevant steps in the early stage of the prototyping phase of new products, with a view to reducing CO2 from the air in the atmosphere that we all breathe. The classification of materials is complex due to the diversity of available options. The novelty of this model is that all the properties of a newly designed product, such as technical, aesthetic, productive, and environmental properties, are grouped in the model, which serves as an innovative support. Thus, designers have a tool at their disposal that can help them to select the best materials for the products they design. The results of this study contribute to the field of material selection, to the quality and design of new products, and to promoting green self-identity of designers in the initial phase of product design. Consequently, all consumers in search of a sustainable planet will profit from this study