Development of vacuum insulation panel with low cost core material

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University LondonBrunel Universit

Influence of acoustic membrane on sound and thermal properties of building façade panels

This paper compares the acoustic and thermal insulation performance of an extruded polystyrene (XPS) sandwich panel with either one or two additional layers of acoustic membrane of similar overall thickness of 28mm. Samples were prepared by bonding single and double layers of mass-loaded vinyl (MLV) membrane between extruded polystyrene (XPS) core and aluminium facings. Results show that the presence of a single MLV sound barrier layer resulted in a three dB improvement in weighted sound reduction index (Rw) over one-third octave band centre frequency of 100 Hz - 3150 Hz, Rw increasing from 35 dB to 38 dB. The addition of two layers led to an Rw increase of only a further dB to 39 dB. However, the weight of the panel increased from 9.4 kg/m2 to 13.8 kg/m2 for the single MLV layer and to 19.2 kg/m2 for the double MLV layer. The thermal transmission (U-value) with one layer of MLV membrane increased from 1.08 Wm-2K 1to 1.14 Wm-2K 1, an increase of 6% whereas a 12% increase in the U-value was found for the double MLV membrane (1.21 Wm-2K 1) as a result of reducing the thickness of the XPS to accommodate the MLV layers. The addition of MLV membranes, therefore, enhances the sound insulation performance but to the detriment of weight and thermal characteristics

Thermal characterisation of Composite Insulation Panels using a vacuum insulated core

Composite Insulation Panels (CIPs) are used in building envelopes due to their thermal insulation properties, lightweight, aesthetics and ease of production and installation. In this paper, an advanced thermal insulation core material (vacuum insulation) with a thermal conductivity of 5-8 mWm-1K-1 has been investigated as core material for enhancing the thermal insulation performance of CIPs. Results revealed a significant reduction in heat loss and improvement in thermal performance of the vacuum insulation compared to that of the conventional extruded polystyrene (XPS) core material. It was determined that the CIP with a vacuum insulation core had a thermal transmission of 0.38 Wm-2K-1 compared to 0.78 Wm-2K-1 for XPS core of equivalent thickness at the centre of the panel. This represents a 51% reduction in heat loss through the vacuum insulated CIP

Omphalocele and macroglossia: a case of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a pediatric overgrowth disorder which predisposes to tumor development. The following case study examined a prenatal finding of omphalocele with postnatal findings of macroglossia and cutaneous hemangioma, ultimately leading to a diagnosis of BWS. This case highlighted the features of BWS, the diagnostic principles and the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach to its management

IN VITRO EVALUATION OF SUN PROTECTION FACTOR (SPF) OF A CREAM FORMULATION PREPARED FROM EXTRACTS OF MUSA ACCUMINATA (L.), PSIDIUM GUJAVA (L.) AND PYRUS COMMUNIS (L.)

Objectives: Use of phytoconstituents, especially obtained from fruits extract with high content of flavonoids has gained considerable importancein personal care products such as creams and lotions. Finding new results and data through experiments will be helpful for both researchers andindustry on the subject. The purpose of this study was to evaluate in-vitro sunscreen activity of a cream formulation containing the fruit extract ofMusa accuminata, Psidium gujava and Pyrus communis based on their flavonoid contents.Methods: Extraction of fruits to include maximum quantity of flavonoids was carried out using solvent system comprising of methanol (35%),ethanol (35%), and distilled water (30%). The cream was formulated and tested for the physicochemical parameters such as color, odor, pH andspreadability. While total flavonoid content was determined by aluminum chloride colorimetric method. The in-vitro sun protection factor (SPF) ofcream formulation and commercially available sunscreen was determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometric method.Results: The total flavonoid content of cream formulation was found to be 45.81±8.49 and expressed in terms of standard quercetin equivalentμg/g. The SPF value for the cream formulation was recorded as 3.90, whereas commercially available sunscreen it was 12.26, indicating that creamformulation has photoprotective activity and may be used to develop a good cosmetic formulation and to explore its commercial viability.Conclusion: Use of phytoconstituents, especially those obtained from fruits extract with high content of flavonoids has gained considerableimportance in personal care products such as creams and lotions. Finding new results and data through experiments will be helpful for bothresearchers and industry on the subject. The proposed spectrophotometric method is simple and rapid for SPF determination. Due to the high costand time consumption relating to in vivo SPF determination andsome ethical issues for the volunteers, the in vitro method is gaining more importance.Keywords: Antioxidants, Formulation, In-vitro sun protection factor, Photoprotection, Fruit extract, Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy.Â

Total Quality Management System in an Education Environment: The Case of a Private University in Bahrain

The study aims to analyze and explain the effectiveness and efficiency of implementing total quality management principles in private educational institutions. The context of the study narrowed down the areas of comparisons to tutorial conducts, student affairs and infrastructure. A detailed analysis of the existing total quality management currently in place at the selected university was duly comprehended. This resulted in finding the flaws/weaknesses in the system of universities in the kingdom of Bahrain generally. Findings through a survey and interview sessions indicated that teachers were not consulted for any changes in curriculum which leads to a lack of co-operation between management and teachers. Another problem in regards to the total quality management implementation was that students perceived the university as not being concerned with maintenance of the premises. Moreover, student affairs/services section was seriously lacking sport facilities, limited training sessions, poor equipment maintenance

A combined life cycle cost and energy analysis of Vacuum insulation Panels (VIPs) in building applications

In this paper life cycle cost and energy analysis of a domestic and an office building that uses vacuum insulation panel (VIP) as building envelope insulation over the life span of building has been presented. Methodology used for energy and cost analysis takes into account the decrease in performance of VIP over its life time, heating efficiency over the life span of heating energy systems and fluctuating energy prices. The life cycle cost analysis show that financial payback of the VIP insulation in six storey office building in UK is between 2.5-7 years depending on the building rental value while for an average semi-detached UK house financial payback is never achieved. This demonstrates the financial viability of VIPs in non-domestic buildings located in high rental value areas