Methodology to Optimize Rainwater Tank-sizing and Cluster Configuration for a Group of Buildings

Water Resources Management - The behavior of a rainwater harvesting system depends on some variables that cannot be controlled, such as rainfall, building roof size and water consumption. The...     

Strength properties of polyimideamide nanocomposite fibers in terms of their porous and supermolecular structure

The strength properties of fibers made from polyimideamide (PIA) nanocomposite were investigated and the effect of the presence of MMT in the fiber‐forming polymer on the porous structure and supermolecular structure of fibers was analyzed. It was found that lower strength properties (tenacity, elongation at break) of PIA nanocomposite fibers, as compared with those ones of fibers without montmorillonite (MMT), are connected with a lower deformability of the polymer during drawing stage and the collapse of MMT galleries, confirmed by WAXS investigations. This results in the formation of agglomerates that are weakly connected with the fiber‐forming polymer. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 339–344, 2007     

Epoxy resin modified with soybean oil containing cyclic carbonate groups

Carbonated soybean oil (CSO) containing five‐membered cyclic carbonate groups has been obtained in the reaction of epoxidized soybean oil with carbon dioxide in the presence of KI activated by 18‐crown‐6 under 6 MPa CO₂ pressure at 130°C. The CSO was used for modification of bisphenol‐A based epoxy resin. The composition epoxide‐cyclic carbonate was cured using polyamine hardeners by one‐step and two‐step procedures. All cured compositions were characterized for their thermal and mechanical properties and compared with the parent epoxy network. The optimal properties were obtained for compositions containing CSO and cured by one‐step method when phase separation takes place. The mechanical properties were discussed in terms of morphology observed by SEM. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 2904‐2914, 2006     

Housing performance evaluation: challenges for international knowledge exchange

ABSTRACT

Developing effective building performance evaluation and feedback processes is a vital part of global efforts to reduce building energy use and gain insight into the actual performance of buildings and technologies. Although attempts have been made to introduce internationally agreed models for these processes, it is clear that various countries are producing different approaches according to their cultural, institutional and policy differences. Knowledge exchange is potentially a key means of developing a shared understanding of values, meanings and practices in relation to building performance evaluation. This paper identifies cultural and institutional barriers in the European Union for international building performance communities of practice utilizing knowledge exchange, from an experiential ‘real-world’ perspective. The preparation of a 30-month research project to help develop building performance evaluation in Poland and an associated bilateral symposium is closely evaluated through an action research case study in terms of the stakeholders, the national contexts in which they operated and the key challenges they faced. Recommendations are then made in terms of the support needed to develop more responsive research programmes in relation to developing international knowledge exchange, and the capacity-building elements required for these international communities of practice.     

Isotactic polypropylene–vapor grown carbon nanofibers composites: Electrical properties

Nanocomposites have been obtained by dispersing various amounts of vapor grown carbon nanofibers within isotactic polypropylene. Thermal investigations done by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis revealed the effect of the vapor grown carbon nanofibers on the melting, crystallization, α, and β relaxations. Direct current electrical features of these nanocomposites have been investigated and related to the thermal features of these nanocomposites. The effect of the loading with carbon nanofibers on the electrical properties of these nanocomposites is discussed within the percolation theory. The percolation threshold was estimated at about 5.5% wt carbon nanofibers. The temperature dependence of the direct current conductivity is analyzed in detail and it is concluded that the electronic hopping is the dominant transport mechanism. A transition from one‐dimensional hopping towards a three‐dimensional hopping was noticed as the concentration of carbon nanofibers was increased from 10% wt to 20% wt carbon nanofiber. The possibility of a differential negative resistivity is suggested. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45297.     

Oxidative and microbial stability of poultry meatballs added with coriander extracts and packed in cold modified atmosphere

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of adding of coriander extracts to turkey meatballs. Meat samples were stored in modified atmosphere at 4°C ± 1°C for 9 days. The addition of coriander extract at 500 ppm level delayed the process of lipid oxidation for the period of 6 days of storage and growth inhibition of aerobic microorganisms for the period of 9 days of storage. The usage of a dose of 500 ppm as well as a dose of 200 ppm had no significant effect on the sensory features, but had an impact on colour parameters of the meatballs. In the groups with coriander extract, volatile terpenes were identified.     

Authenticity Assessment of the “Onisiówka” <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nalewka</Emphasis> Liqueurs Using Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography and Sensory Evaluation

The “Onisiówka” nalewka liqueur is a regional Polish alcoholic beverage, which is inscribed on the list of regional and traditional products of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Poland. It is produced from multiflower honey, black elderberry flower syrup, and spirit. Due to fact that the “Onisiówka” nalewka liqueur has never been investigated, these studies are the foundation for further work on this regional alcoholic beverage. The main aim of this work is the authenticity assessment of the “Onisiówka” nalewka liqueurs by means of qualitative characteristics of volatile fraction and sensory evaluation. Tentative identification has been performed using two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS). Application of GC×GC-TOFMS allowed for detection of around 350 compounds present in the volatile fraction of the “Onisiówka” from which 102 compounds were tentatively identified. PCA results showed that the first two principal components constitute 96.98% of total variance. Statistical analysis was used to visualize relations between tentatively identified compounds; therefore, it has been demonstrated that 23 chemical compounds may have significant influence on the overall flavor and taste of the “Onisiówka”. These substances belong to four chemical classes, in which the greatest number is represented by esters (13), aldehydes (6), alcohols (3), and one terpene compound. According to the sensory evaluation, the Onisiówka is characterized by sweet, honey, fruity, flowery, bitter, and spirituous flavor and taste.     

Overheating in retrofitted flats: occupant practices,learning and interventions

ABSTRACT

The overheating risk in flats (apartments) retrofitted to energy-efficient standards has been identified by previous studies as one that is particularly high. With climate change and rising mean temperatures this is a growing concern. There is a need to understand the kinds of practices, learning and interventions adopted by the occupants of individual homes to try to reduce overheating, as this area is poorly understood and under-researched. This case study focuses on the impact of different home-use practices in relation to the severity of overheating in 18 flats in one tower block in northern England. Internal temperatures monitored in comparable flats show that the percentage of time spent above the expected category II threshold of thermal comfort according to BS EN 15251 can differ by over 70%. Extensive monitoring, covering a full year, including two summer periods, has identified emergent changes in heatwave practices linked with increased home-use skills and understanding among the research participants. Close analysis of design intentions versus reality has identified key physical barriers and social learning opportunities for appropriate adaptation in relation to heatwaves. Recommendations for designers and policy-makers are highlighted in relation to these factors.