Digital spaces / Axians "customer brand engagement" project: operational business model

Driven by the rise of technology the physical world becomes increasingly connected to the digital world. As a result, vast amounts of data from sensorial measurements are available waiting to be fully utilized. The “Customer Brand Engagement” project of Axians, the field lab partner, aims to create a system for the measurement of engagement. Understanding the customer on the inside through data from the outside, will lead to a deeper customer knowledge, which enables forming long lasting and meaningful connections between customers and brands. The available opportunities of such analytics technologies are being examined in the report

Physical Properties of Eco-Sustainable Form-Stable Phase Change Materials Included in Mortars Suitable for Buildings Located in Different Continental Regions

Starting from two low-cost, low-environmental-impact polymers belonging to the Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) family, i.e., PEG 800 and PEG 1000, two form-stable phase change materials were produced. The two PEGs differ in molecular weight and, as a consequence, the melting and crystallization range of temperatures. The PCMs were obtained, including the PEG, in a liquid state, inside the pores of Lecce Stone flakes, obtained as waste pieces from its processing. A simple and inexpensive impregnation process was selected to produce the PCMs, thus adopting low-environmental-impact materials and cheap processes, and respecting circular economy principles. The two PCMs, the first composed of PEG 800, namely LS/PEG800, and the second composed of a 50/50%wt. mix of the different LS/PEGs, i.e., LS/PEG800_LS/PEG1000, were added as aggregates to four types of mortars, based on aerial and hydraulic lime, gypsum, and cement. The obtained mortars were characterized in their fresh state to assess their workability, and in a solid state after a proper cure to determine their characteristic Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage (LHTES) properties and mechanical properties in both flexural and compressive modes, taking the mortars not containing any PCM as the reference. The results revealed that, with the proper selection of mortar formulations, it was possible to achieve suitable workability and adequate mechanical characteristics. The selection of a PEG with a low range of phase change temperatures, such as PEG 800, allows one to obtain mortars characterized by a melting/crystallization range that can be considered appropriate in applications characterized by cold climates. The production of a mixed PCM, composed of both PEGs, led to mortars displaying a large interval of melting/crystallization temperatures, which could be suitable in both warm and cold climates

Use of sustainable Phase Change Material (PCM) in mortars for building energy efficiency

Academic and industrial research are moving towards the development of innovative solutions and materials able to limit energy consumption for the thermoregulation of a building. One solution is the use of phase change materials (PCMs) that can absorb, store, and release energy according to their physical state that changes when the ambient temperatures changes. In this work, new sustainable PCMs were developed through the “form-stable” method according to the principles of Circular Economy. The new PCM materials consisted, in fact, of an inert matrix (obtained as byproduct of stone processing) impregnated by low toxic, low flammable polymer, namely polyethylene glycol (PEG). The PEG/stone composite materials were used to replace the fine aggregates in mortars based on different binders providing the mortars with thermoregulation performance. A comprehensive characterization was performed on the new PCMs by evaluating their thermal stability and thermal efficiency. The main properties (in fresh and hardened states) of the mortars with or without PCMs were analyzed. The mortars containing PCMs were also subjected to further investigations to evaluate their thermal behavior in response to external climatic conditions. Encouraging results were obtained, confirming the effectiveness of the mortars containing the new PCMs in the thermoregulation of indoor environments

Physical Properties of an Eco-Sustainable, Form-Stable Phase Change Material Included in Aerial-Lime-Based Mortar Intended for Different Climates

The aim of this experimental investigation was to produce a form-stable phase change material (PCM) able to reduce the need for nonrenewable energy resources required for the heating/cooling of buildings located in regions characterized by different climatic conditions. The innovative PCM must also be sustainable and must be produced according to the principles of the circular economy. To achieve such ambitious goals, a form-stable, sustainable PCM was produced through vacuum impregnation. The form-stable PCM was produced starting from a low-toxicity, low-flammability polyethylene glycol of medium molecular weight (PEG 800), which was included in porous stone granules obtained as waste products of the cutting/processing of local (Lecce) stone. The thermal properties and thermal stability of PEG 800 and of its PCM-composite were evaluated by employing differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The appropriate parameters to perform the impregnation procedure were identified through rheological and calorimetric analyses. A simple leakage test was performed to assess if the PEG polymer can leak from the stone flakes. Finally, the new PCM was added as an aggregate in aerial-lime-based mortars, and the mortar’s properties were analyzed in fresh (workability) and hardened (flexural and compressive strength and thermal characteristics) states for potential applications, particularly in ancient buildings

Thermal performance of mortars based on different binders and containing a novel sustainable Phase Change Material (PCM)

Increasing concerns about climate change and global warming bring about technical steps for the development of several energy-efficient technologies. Since the building sector is one of the largest energy users for cooling and heating necessities, the incorporation of a proper energy-efficient material into the building envelopes could be an interesting solution for saving energy. Phase change material (PCM)-based thermal energy storage (TES) seems suitable to provide efficient energy redistribution. This is possible because the PCM is able to store and release its latent heat during the phase change processes that occurs according to the environmental temperature. The purpose of this paper was the characterization of the thermal properties of a composite PCM (i.e., Lecce stone/poly-ethylene glycol, previously developed) incorporated into mortar compositions based on different binders (i.e., hydraulic lime and cement). The study was carried out using an experimental set up through which it was possible to simulate the different seasons of the years. It was observed that the addition of PCM in mortars leads to a decrease of the maximum temperatures and increase of the minimum temperatures. Furthermore, the results shown a reduction of the heating and cooling needs, thus confirming the capability of this material to save energy

Novel sustainable polymer-based Phase Change Materials (PCMs) for mortars based on different binders for the energy efficiency located in different climatic regions

The buildings sector is one of the main contributors to the use and consumption of fossil fuel energy and, consequently, to the CO2 emissions. This evidence is more widespread in industrialized countries where energy is used for heating and cooling purposes. This trend is not destined to change since climate change affects temperatures making them hotter in summer and colder in winter. A solution to this issue is represented by Phase Change Materials (PCMs) that can absorb, store and release energy according to their physical state that changes with the environmental temperature. In this work, a novel eco-sustainable PCM has been developed through the form-stable method. Through this method, it was possible to create a composite material consisting of a natural matrix (i.e., a very porous stone obtained from processing waste) and an eco-friendly polymer-based PCM, i.e., Poly-Ethylene Glycol (PEG). This composite material has been used to replace mortar aggregates. A complete characterization was performed on the new PCM assessing its thermal stability and thermal efficiency. Mortar formulations based on different binders (i.e., hydraulic lime, and cement) were, then, produced including the composite material as aggregate. The study of the mortar’s properties, in their fresh and hardened states, allowed to identify those with suitable mechanical properties. These latter were then subjected to a further investigation to assess their thermal behavior in response to different climatic loads. Encouraging results were achieved that allowed to establish the effectiveness of the novel PCM in thermo-regulating an indoor environment

Valutazione statistica della prestazione energetica degli edifici nella provincia di Lecce

Nel presente articolo si effettua un'analisi della prestazione energetica del parco edilizio della Provincia di Lecce. Lo scopo principale è quello di fornire uno strumento in grado di fornire un quadro complessivo sintetico e significativo del comportamento degli edifici al fine di descrivere la situazione as-is, ma soprattutto valutare l'efficienza ed efficacia di interventi di retrofit sulla popolazione

Change in Knowledge of and Adherence to the Low-Sodium Diet in Patients with Heart Failure after Nutrition Education by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Nutrition intervention by a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) is effective in improving patients’ knowledge or adherence to low-sodium diet (LSD, <2,000 mg/d); however, changes in knowledge and adherence in heart failure (HF) patients.   have not been simultaneously assessed in the same study Therefore, the objective of the present study was to identify both HF patient sodium knowledge and adherence to the LSD before and after an education session with an RDN. A quasi-experimental study with a one-group, pre-test post-test design was conducted. An RDN conducted a 15-minute individualized nutrition education regarding the LSD at the initial visit. Sodium knowledge was measured by the Parkland Sodium Knowledge Test, and sodium intake was measured by a 29-item sodium-specific food frequency questionnaire created by NutritionQuest© at both the initial and follow-up visits. A total of 71 patients were educated on the LSD and assessed for changes in sodium knowledge and intake at their next visit. Most patients were middle aged, obese, male, and non-Hispanic Black with an education level of greater than 12 years. At the initial visit, the majority of patients were considered knowledgeable but not accordant to the LSD. Following RDN education, sodium knowledge significantly improved and sodium intake significantly decreased. RDNs should be included as members of the HF multidisciplinary team to increase sodium knowledge and reduce sodium intake through individualized nutrition education