Application of polymeric nanoparticles in food sector

Nanotechnology presents opportunities to create new and better products. Nano technology has huge impact in many applications including food industry. Product of nanotechnology, such as polymeric nanoparticle, can be utilized to improve food quality by extending food shelf life, increase food safety, lower the cost and enhance the nutritional benefits. This chapter provides an overview of the properties of polymeric nanoparticle, preparation techniques, as well as the role polymeric nano-particles in the food industr

Performance Simulation and Evaluation of Net Zero Energy Buildings in an Australian Coastal Climate

Net zero energy buildings (NZEB) are becoming more common, and as new energy saving designs and technologies become available, the ability to estimate overall energy use and understand the impact on operation of building appliances will become important. This paper outlines simulation results of performance improvements achieved by modifying various components (glazing, lighting, thermal comfort settings) of two tertiary education NZEBs and a typical modern commercial building. The DesignBuilder models\u27 thermal performance and energy consumption were validated using real data from case study buildings. The work shows validating models of smaller, less conven-tional, buildings is more difficult than for larger conventional ones. Performance of NZEBs was benchmarked against the typical commercial building, and subsequently the impact of alterations to overall energy savings established. Results illustrate that NZEBs appear more sensitive to design changes. The work indicates significant savings are achievable in NZEBs and conventional buildings if suitable glazing is selected, lighting controlled according to daylight, or comfort band settings adjusted appropriately. Poten-tial savings are quantified using models developed and validated in simulation

Application of life cycle assessment approach to deliver low carbon houses at regional level in Western Australia

Purpose: Australian building sector contributes 23% of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This is particularly important for Western Australia (WA) as the houses here are made of energy- and carbon-intensive clay bricks. This research has utilized life cycle assessment (LCA) approach and cleaner production strategies (CPS) to design low-carbon houses in 18 locations in regional WA. Methods: An integrative LCA analysis of clay brick house has been conducted by incorporating energy efficiency rating tool (i.e., AccuRate) to capture the regional variation in thermal performance of houses in 18 locations in WA under five climatic zones. The data bank provided information on energy and materials for mining to material production, transportation of construction materials to the site of construction, and construction stages, while an energy rating tool has been utilized to generate location-specific information on energy consumption during use stage for developing a life cycle inventory for estimating life cycle GHG emissions and embodied energy consumption of a typical 4 × 2 × 2 detached house (i.e., 4 bed rooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2 cars/double garage). This approach has enabled us to determine the location-specific hotspot of a house in order to select suitable CPS for achieving reduced level of GHG emissions and embodied energy consumption. Results and discussion: Except for two hottest locations, the average life cycle GHG emissions and embodied energy consumption of houses at 16 locations in regional WA have been estimated to be 469 t of CO2 equivalent (or CO2 e-) and 6.9 TJ, respectively. Home appliances and water heating have been found to be the top two hotspots. The CPS options, including rooftop solar photovoltaic panels (PV), solar water heaters (SWH) integrated with gas based water heaters, cast in situ concrete sandwich wall, fly ash as a partial replacement of cement in concrete, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foam made of post-consumed polyethylene terephthalate bottles, have been considered to reduce GHG emissions and embodied energy consumption of a typical house in18 locations in regional WA. Excluding above two hottest locations, these CPS provide an opportunity to reduce GHG emissions and embodied energy consumption per house by an average value of 320 t CO2 e- and 3.7 TJ, respectively. Conclusions: Considering the alarming growth rate of the housing industry in WA, the incorporation of optimum house orientation, rooftop solar PV, roof top SWH, cast in situ sandwich wall, partial replacement of cement in concrete with fly ash, and PET foam insulation core could reduce the overall GHG emissions and embodied energy consumption associated with the construction and use of clay brick wall house which in turn will assist in achieving Australia’s GHG emission reduction target by 2050. The findings provide useful data for architects, designers, developers, and policy makers to choose from these CPS options based on existing resource availability and cost constraints