The learning network on sustainability: An e-mechanism for the development and diffusion of teaching materials and tools on design for sustainability in an open-source and copy left ethos

This is the post-print version of the Article. The official published version can be obtained from the link below - Copyright @ 2011 InderscienceThis paper presents the intermediate results of the Learning Network on Sustainability (LeNS) project, Asian-European multi-polar network for curricula development on Design for Sustainability. LeNS is a mechanism to develop and diffuse system design for sustainability in design schools with a transcultural perspective. The main output of the project is the Open Learning E-Package (OLEP), an open web-platform that allows a decentralised and collaborative production and fruition of knowledge. Apart from the contents, the same LeNS web-platform is realised in an open-source and copy left ethos, allowing its download and reconfiguration in relation to specific needs, interests and geographical representation

Product service systems in the automotive industry: An alternative business model for a sustainable satisfaction system

Copyright @ 2008 Brunel UniversityThe paper presents the intermediate results of an on-going research project called Vehicle Design Summit (VDS), run by an international Consortium of Universities coordinated by the MIT of Boston. The project aims at designing and prototyping an eco-efficient vehicle as well as defining an innovative and sustainable business model to introduce and diffuse it into the mobility sector. In this framework the paper explores the potential contribution that PSSs can have in moving beyond incremental technological improvements towards system innovation in the automotive industry. This is outlined presenting and discussing an alternative business model, characterized by: an approach to mobility as the scope of design; an innovative stakeholders network; a shift from selling products to selling results; a change in product ownership; and a consequent change in vehicle design

A new ethos for a multipolar design learning community: A mechanism for the development and diffusion of teaching materials on design for sustainability in an open-source and copy left ethos

Copyright @ 2010 International Association of Technology, Education and DevelopmentFinally, the time has arrived in which there is a shared opinion that sustainable development requires a system discontinuity, meaning that radical changes in the way we produce, consume and socially interacts are needed. Finally, the time has arrived in which there is an emerging understanding that an important contribution to this change can be directly linked to the role of the design. However we have to admit that the designers are still more part of the problem, than part of the solution, i.e. proactive and diffused actors of the radical change requested by the transition towards a sustainable society. Within the so called learning society, new visions and tools are urgently requested for the design. A new political agenda is needed, looking at all of the of the design’s bodies (the designers, the design educators and the design researchers) as a learning community that urgently needs to accelerate the process of consolidation and diffusion of the new knowledge and know-how, for a new generation of designers. Under this perspective, a key role should be played by the design schools. The paper will explore this issue and in its framework presents the vision, the ambitions and the tools developed within the Learning Network on Sustainability (LeNS) project, an Asian- European multi-polar network for curricula development on Design for Sustainability, financed by the European Commission under the Asia-Links programme

An aesthetic for sustainable interactions in Product-Service Systems?

Copyright @ 2014 Greenleaf Publishing.Eco-efficient Product-Service Systems (PSS, in which the economic interest of the stakeholders involved in the offer continuously foster the optimisation of environmental resource consumption) represent a promising approach to sustainability. However, despite their potential win–win characteristics, the application of this concept is still limited. One key reason is that eco-efficient PSSs are often radical innovations and their adoption usually challenges existing customers’ habits (cultural barriers), companies’ organisations (corporate barriers), and regulative framework (regulative barriers). Starting from these considerations this chapter first investigates the barriers that affect the attractiveness and acceptance of eco-efficient PSS alternatives. A debate is then opened on the aesthetics of eco-efficient PSSs and the way in which aesthetics could enhance specific inner qualities of eco-efficient PSSs, i.e. facilitating and enhancing their wider diffusion. Through the analysis of several case studies, and integrating insights from semiotics, the chapter then outlines several research hypotheses on how the aesthetic elements of an eco-efficient PSS could facilitate user attraction, acceptance and satisfaction

LeNS_AFRICA. An African learning network on sustainability for the development and diffusion of teaching materials and tools on design for sustainability in an open-source and copy left ethos

Copyright @ 2009 CARMAIt is a shared opinion that sustainable development requires a system discontinuity, meaning that radical changes in the way we produce and consume are needed. Within this framework there is an emerging understanding that an important contribution to this change can be directly linked to decisions taken in the design phase. For this reason design schools have therefore to be able to provide design students with a broad knowledge and effective Design for Sustainability tools, in order to enable a new generation of designers in playing an active role in reorienting our consumption and production patterns. Under this perspective, there is a pressing need of mechanisms that act at the education level, enabling design educators (and researchers) to share knowledge in this field. Along this direction this paper presents the intermediate results of the Learning Network on Sustainability (LeNS) project, an Asian-European multi-polar network for curricula development on Design for Sustainability focused on (Product-Service) System innovation, financed by the European Commission under the Asia-Links programme2. LeNS is a mechanism to develop and diffuse system design for sustainability in design schools with a transcultural perspective. The main output of the project will be the Open Learning E-Package (OLEP), an open web platform that allows a decentralised and collaborative production and fruition of knowledge produced as learning subsidies. It can be described as a modular e-package of teaching materials (texts, slide shows, audio, video, etc) and tools for designers, that design educators (but also students and professionals as designers, entrepreneurs and interested persons/ institutions) worldwide will be able to download (free of charge), modify, remix and reuse (copy left). Apart from the contents, the same LeNS web platform is realised in an open-source and copy left ethos, allowing its download and reconfiguration in relation to specific needs, area of interest and interested partners. Within this perspective one of this hypothesis is about the setting up of an African Learning Network on Sustainability, which, taking in consideration the local needs, interests and opportunities, could represent a significant enabling platform capable to sensitise, support and empower a new generation of African design educators, designers and entrepreneurs to reach design practice throughout an open collaborative learning approach

Sustainability in design: now! Challenges and opportunities for design research, education and practice in the XXI century

Copyright @ 2010 Greenleaf PublicationsLeNS project funded by the Asia Link Programme, EuropeAid, European Commission

An aesthetic for sustainable interactions in product-service systems?

Copyright @ 2012 Greenleaf PublishingEco-efficient Product-Service System (PSS) innovations represent a promising approach to sustainability. However the application of this concept is still very limited because its implementation and diffusion is hindered by several barriers (cultural, corporate and regulative ones). The paper investigates the barriers that affect the attractiveness and acceptation of eco-efficient PSS alternatives, and opens the debate on the aesthetic of eco-efficient PSS, and the way in which aesthetic could enhance some specific inner qualities of this kinds of innovations. Integrating insights from semiotics, the paper outlines some first research hypothesis on how the aesthetic elements of an eco-efficient PSS could facilitate user attraction, acceptation and satisfaction

Designing transition paths for the diffusion of sustainable system innovations. A new potential role for design in transition management?

Copyright @ 2008 Umberto AllemandiIt is a shared opinion that the transition towards sustainability will be a continuous and articulated learning process, which will require radical changes on multiple levels (social, cultural, institutional and technological). It is also shared that, given the nature and the dimension of those changes, a system discontinuity is needed, and that therefore it is necessary to act on a system innovation level. The challenge now is to understand how it is possible to facilitate and support the introduction and diffusion of such innovations. Bringing together insights from both Design for sustainability and Transition management literatures, the paper puts forward a model, called Transition model of evolutionary co-design for sustainable (product-service) system innovations, aimed at facilitating and speed-up the process of designing, experimentation, niche introduction and branching of sustainable such innovations

The mechanism of high-T(sub c) superconductivity due to bound hole mediators: Relationship to ferroelectricity

The mediation by bound holes creating Cooper pairing in high T(sub c) superconductors has its origin in charge transfer excitations on the multivalence cation (virtual excitions) and in bound excitions or polarizations associated with the oxygen 2p electrons. These phenomena are produced and/or enhanced by a high internal electric field which is itself created by virtue of the unique crystal structures and polyhedral building blocks of high T(sub c) materials. The polarizations which can create oxygen holes (in addition to excitions) may be due to simply the internal electric field or to polaronic and electron-deficient bond behavior. This gives rise to two energy-dependent oxygen bands near the Fermi level. The magnitude and direction of the internal electric fields were calculated for Y1Ba2Cu3O(7-delta) (1-2-3) and show strong z-direction fields at the Cu(2), O2, and O3 sites and an even stronger -z direction field at the O4 site. The field calculations also show why electrical conductivity in the 1-2-3 material is essentially in the base plane of the CuO5 pyramid (the CuO2 plane)