bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two new Cu-based borate catalysts with cubic supramolecular cages for efficient catalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Liu Wen-Fang , Qiu Qi-Ming , Zhang Mo , Su Zhao-Min , An Qingqing , Lv Hongjin , Jia Zhiyu , Yang Guo-Yu
Published: June 2020

Two new copper-based borates with supramolecular cages were synthesized under hydrothermal condition. As new copper complexes, they exhibit photocatalytic activity. The experimental results show borates have potential applications as water reduction catalysts (WRCs).
A 3D soil-like nanostructured fabric for the development of bacterial biofilms for agricultural and environmental uses
Authors: De Cesare Fabrizio , Di Mattia Elena , Zussman Eyal , Macagnano Antonella
Published: June 2020

Creation of beads-and-fibres 3D nanoscaffolds mimicking the typical architecture of soils at microscale and nanoscale for the development of bacterial biofilms for agricultural and environmental applications.
Photocatalytic reduction of Cr(vi) by graphene oxide materials under sunlight or visible light: the effects of low-molecular-weight chemicals
Authors: Wu Shang-Shing , Hou Wen-Che , Wang David K.
Published: June 2020

GO rapidly photocatalyzes the reduction of Cr(vi) utilizing sunlight in the presence of oxalate that acts as an electron donor and chelating agent.
Vanillin inhibits PqsR-mediated virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Mok Nicholas , Chan Shepherd Yuen , Liu Sylvia Yang , Chua Song Lin
Published: June 2020

Vanillin, a natural phenolic aldehyde from vanilla bean, has been reported to inhibit pqs quorum sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with potential applications in combinatorial antimicrobial therapy against biofilm infections.
Effects of in vitro digestion and fecal fermentation on the stability and metabolic behavior of polysaccharides from Craterellus cornucopioides
Authors: Liu Yuntao , Duan Xiaoyu , Duan Songqi , Li Cheng , Hu Bin , Liu Aiping , Wu Yinglong , Wu Hejun , Chen Hong , Wu Wenjuan
Published: June 2020

The purpose of this paper is to better clarify the stability and metabolic behavior of CCPs from the perspective of digestion and metabolism, and provide research guidance for other polysaccharides with a similar structure.
Reactive extraction of fructose for efficient separation of sucrose-derived glucosides produced by enzymatic glycosylation
Authors: Kruschitz Andreas , Nidetzky Bernd
Published: June 2020

Reactive extraction enables efficient and selective separation of fructose from glucosides (here: α-glucosyl glycerol) produced from sucrose by enzymatic transglycosylation.
Fractionation of industrial lignins: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Gigli Matteo , Crestini Claudia
Published: June 2020

Fractionation represents a valid option for the valorisation of technical lignin, a readily available yet heavily underutilised resource. The developed fractionation strategies and the applications of lignin fractions are here critically reviewed.
Plasma modulation using beam shaping to improve signal quality for laser induced breakdown spectroscopy
Authors: Hou Zongyu , Afgan Muhammad Sher , Sheta Sahar , Liu Jiacen , Wang Zhe
Published: June 2020

Modulating the laser induced plasma and improving the signal quality of LIBS by beam shaping.
Tailoring the ORR selectivity for H2O2 electrogeneration by modification of Printex L6 carbon with 1,4-naphthoquinone: a theoretical, experimental and environmental application study
Authors: Kronka Matheus S. , Silva Fernando L. , Martins Alysson S. , Almeida Michell O. , Honório Káthia M. , Lanza Marcos R. V.
Published: June 2020

Printex L6 carbon exhibited an increase in H2O2 selectivity by modification with 1.0% (w/w) 1,4-naphthoquinone (NQE).
Iron in parasitic protists – from uptake to storage and where we can interfere
Authors: Mach Jan , Sutak Robert
Published: June 2020

It is well known that iron is a crucial micronutrient for all living organisms. Due to its chemical properties, iron is an irreplaceable cofactor of many essential enzymes but is also potentially toxic when present in excess. The acquisition of iron from the environment can be challenging for organisms, especially for parasitic protists that rely solely on the host for available nutrients. One of the host defense mechanisms is to starve parasites by detaining the crucial iron in a form unreachable for pathogens. In this review, we summarize current information about iron homeostasis-related pathways of important human parasites, such as Plasmodium, trypanosomes, Leishmania, pathogenic amoebas and Trichomonas. We focus on the parasites’ strategies of iron acquisition, storage/detoxification, trafficking, and iron-regulated protein expression and address the questions of iron-influenced virulence and anti-parasitic chemotherapeutics targeted to iron metabolism. Finally, we outline the potential of understudied and somewhat neglected iron chelating agents as safe chemotherapeutics against protozoan parasites.
Graphene templated growth of copper sulphide ‘flowers’ can suppress electromagnetic interference
Authors: Sharma Devansh , Menon Aishwarya V. , Bose Suryasarathi
Published: June 2020

Herein, CuS ‘flowers’ have been grown on graphene oxide by a facile one pot hydrothermal technique and in synergism with MWCNTs the resulting PVDF composites exhibit shielding effectiveness of −25 dB manifesting in 86% absorption of EM waves.
Fabrication of novel g-C3N4 based MoS2 and Bi2O3 nanorod embedded ternary nanocomposites for superior photocatalytic performance and destruction of bacteria
Authors: Shanmugam Vignesh , Jeyaperumal Kalyana Sundar , Mariappan Pandiaraman , Muppudathi Anna Lakshmi
Published: June 2020

Highly efficient g-C3N4 based MoS2/Bi2O3 nanorod embedded novel (g-C3N4/MoS2/Bi2O3) nanocomposites were effectively fabricated by a hydrothermal–calcination method. The schematic depiction is illustrating the plausible mechanism of charge separation and degradation of pollutants under visible-light exposure by a g-C3N4/MoS2/Bi2O3 photocatalyst.
Aerobic oxidation of 2-aminophenol catalysed by a series of mononuclear copper(ii) complexes: phenoxazinone synthase-like activity and mechanistic study
Authors: Podder Nirmalya , Mandal Sukanta
Published: June 2020

Biomimetic catalytic oxidation of 2-aminophenol by three mononuclear copper(ii) complexes and the mechanistic aspects are presented.
Electron inelastic mean free path in water
Authors: Yesibolati Murat Nulati , Laganá Simone , Kadkhodazadeh Shima , Mikkelsen Esben Kirk , Sun Hongyu , Kasama Takeshi , Hansen Ole , Zaluzec Nestor J. , Mølhave Kristian
Published: June 2020

A nanochannel liquid cell was used to quantify the electron inelastic mean free path (λIMFP) in water. The experimental values show large offsets from the generally accepted models, and can be used to determine the liquid thickness in a liquid cell.
Size effect of semiconductor quantum dots as photocatalysts for PET-RAFT polymerization
Authors: Liang Yachao , Ma Huanhuan , Zhang Wenjie , Cui Zhe , Fu Peng , Liu Minying , Qiao Xiaoguang , Pang Xinchang
Published: June 2020

Larger QDs result in a higher polymerization rate and a better fit ofMn,GPCwithMn,theoreticalfor PET-RAFT polymerization using CdSe QDs photocatalysts.
Impacts of performing electrolysis during organocatalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization
Authors: Corbin Daniel A. , McCarthy Blaine G. , Miyake Garret M.
Published: June 2020

An electrochemical variant of organocatalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (O-ATRP) is developed and investigated.
The stepwise substitution in the hierarchical building of {Co11Cd6} cluster-based MOFs from {Co14} precursor
Authors: Chen Yun-Kai , Tao Ye , Qin Huang-Fei , Pang Hua-Yu , Bian He-Dong , Yao Di , Huang Fu-Ping
Published: June 2020

A heterometallic aggregation of {Co11Cd6} can be hierarchical built from a {Co14} precursor directly. HRESI-MS technique was used to track the stepwise Cd2+-capture: {Co14} → {Co8} → {Co8Cd2} → {Co8Cd3} → {Co8Cd4} → {Co8Cd5} → {Co8Cd6} → {Co11Cd6}.
In situ construction and post-electrolysis structural study of porous Ni2P@C nanosheet arrays for efficient water splitting
Authors: Ma Min , Zheng Zhiping , Song Zhijia , Zhang Xibo , Han Xiao , Chen Hanming , Xie Zhaoxiong , Kuang Qin , Zheng Lansun
Published: June 2020

Carbon-confined Ni2P porous nanosheet arrays functioned as a superior water-splitting catalyst. Impressively, this porous-hybrid catalyst just required an OER overpotential of 243 mV to deliver 15 mA cm−2 owing to the formation of γ-NiOOH layer.
Exploring the sub-stoichiometric behavior of plutonium mononitride
Authors: Lai Chao , Hu Yin , Qiu Ruizhi
Published: June 2020

Plutonium mononitride is investigated using first-principles calculation combined with special quasirandom structure. The weak bonds probably are the main reason for the absence of sub-stoichiometry for plutonium mononitride.
Essential geometric and electronic properties in stage-n graphite alkali-metal-intercalation compounds
Authors: Li Wei-Bang , Lin Shih-Yang , Tran Ngoc Thanh Thuy , Lin Ming-Fa , Lin Kuang-I
Published: June 2020

The rich and unique properties of the stage-n graphite alkali-metal-intercalation compounds are fully investigated by first-principles calculations.
Synthesis and characterization of a novel crosslinkable side-chain sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) copolymer proton exchange membranes
Authors: Wang Shouping , He Fugang , Weng Qiang , Yuan Diao , Chen Pei , Chen Xinbing , An Zhongwei
Published: June 2020

A series of novel crosslinkable and crosslinked side-chain SPAES has been prepared. The S-SPAES(1/2) has high proton conductivity and acceptable single-cell performance.
Synthesis of 2,5-diaryloxazoles through rhodium-catalyzed annulation of triazoles and aldehydes
Authors: Li Jian , Zhu Shang-Rong , Xu Yue , Lu Xue-Chen , Wang Zheng-Bing , Liu Li , Xu De-feng
Published: June 2020

An efficient synthesis of a variety of 2,5-diaryloxazole derivatives via a rhodium-catalyzed annulation of triazoles and aldehydes is achieved.
A novel fabrication of electrospun polyacrylonitrile/NaYF4:Eu+3light emitting nanofibers
Authors: Kumar Sanjeev , Jain Garima , Kumar Kuldeep , Gupta Ashish , Singh B. P. , Dhakate S. R.
Published: June 2020

Polyacrylonitrile/NaYF4:Eu+3nanophosphor composite nanofibers have been successfully prepared using the electrospinning technique.
Phase-field simulations of electrohydrodynamic jetting for printing nano-to-microscopic constructs
Authors: Singh Sachin K. , Subramanian Arunkumar
Published: June 2020

This paper simulates the transient evolution of an electrohydrodynamic jet and reveals the dependence of its characteristics on the underlying process parameters.
One-pot method for the synthesis of 1-aryl-2-aminoalkanol derivatives from the corresponding amides or nitriles
Authors: Otevrel Jan , Svestka David , Bobal Pavel
Published: June 2020

A one-pot method for β-amino alcohol synthesis based on α-hydroxylation and subsequent amide or nitrile functional group reduction has been identified and examined.
Novel quercetin and apigenin-acetamide derivatives: design, synthesis, characterization, biological evaluation and molecular docking studies
Authors: Isika Daniel , Çeşme Mustafa , Osonga Francis J. , Sadik Omowunmi A.
Published: June 2020

The interaction of new molecules obtained by the design and synthesis of flavonoid derivatives by molecular docking with DNA.
Copper(ii)-catalyzed synthesis of multisubstituted indoles through sequential Chan–Lam and cross-dehydrogenative coupling reactions
Authors: Chen Xin , Bian Yunyun , Mo Baichuan , Sun Peng , Chen Chunxia , Peng Jinsong
Published: June 2020

One-pot syntheses of diverse indole-3-carboxylic esters have been described through copper(ii)-catalyzed sequential oxidative Chan–Lam N-arylation and cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction.
Asymmetry controlled dynamic behavior of autonomous chemiluminescent Janus microswimmers
Authors: Salinas Gerardo , Dauphin Alice L. , Voci Silvia , Bouffier Laurent , Sojic Neso , Kuhn Alexander
Published: June 2020

Asymmetrically modified Janus microparticles are presented as autonomous light emitting swimmers with shape-controlled trajectories.
Evaluation of sputtered nickel oxide, cobalt oxide and nickel–cobalt oxide on n-type silicon photoanodes for solar-driven O2(g) evolution from water
Authors: Yang Fan , Zhou Xinghao , Plymale Noah T. , Sun Ke , Lewis Nathan S.
Published: June 2020

Thin films of nickel oxide (NiOx), cobalt oxide (CoOx) and nickel–cobalt oxide (NiCoOx) produced integrated, protected Si (111) photoanodes integrated, protected Si photoanodes that did not require deposition of a separate heterogeneous electrocatalyst for water oxidation.
A SmBaCo2O5+δ double perovskite with epitaxially grown Sm0.2Ce0.8O2−δ nanoparticles as a promising cathode for solid oxide fuel cells
Authors: Du Zhihong , Li Keyun , Zhao Hailei , Dong Xu , Zhang Yang , Świerczek Konrad
Published: June 2020

SmBaCo2O5+δ with Sm0.2Ce0.8O2−δ NPs epitaxially grown on the surface is a promising candidate cathode for IT-SOFCs.
Rational design of near-infrared platinum(ii)-acetylide conjugated polymers for photoacoustic imaging-guided synergistic phototherapy under 808 nm irradiation
Authors: Li Guo , Hu Wenbo , Zhao Menglong , Zhao Weili , Li Feiyang , Liu Shujuan , Huang Wei , Zhao Qiang
Published: June 2020

We have developed a novel near-infrared Pt-acetylide conjugated polymer CP3 with highly efficient photoconversion behaviors for synergistic cancer phototherapy.
Complete zwitterionic double network hydrogels with great toughness and resistance against foreign body reaction and thrombus
Authors: Huang Kang-Ting , Hsieh Pai-Shan , Dai Lien-Guo , Huang Chun-Jen
Published: June 2020

A new methodology for developing biocompatible double network hydrogels by using a responsive amphoteric polymer as a first framework.
Efficient and readily tuneable near-infrared photodetection up to 1500 nm enabled by thiadiazoloquinoxaline-based push–pull type conjugated polymers
Authors: Verstraeten Frederik , Gielen Sam , Verstappen Pieter , Raymakers Jorne , Penxten Huguette , Lutsen Laurence , Vandewal Koen , Maes Wouter
Published: June 2020

Organic photodetectors made from thiadiazoloquinoxaline-based copolymers reach high detectivities in the near-infrared range up to 1400 nm.
Extracellular matrix stiffness and Wnt/β-catenin signaling in physiology and disease
Authors: Astudillo Pablo
Published: June 2020

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays fundamental roles during development, stem cell differentiation, and homeostasis, and its abnormal activation can lead to diseases. In recent years, it has become clear that this pathway integrates signals not only from Wnt ligands but also from other proteins and signaling routes. For instance, Wnt/β-catenin signaling involves YAP and TAZ, which are transcription factors with crucial roles in mechanotransduction. On the other hand, Wnt/β-catenin signaling is also modulated by integrins. Therefore, mechanical signals might similarly modulate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. However, and despite the relevance that mechanosensitive Wnt/β-catenin signaling might have during physiology and diseases such as cancer, the role of mechanical cues on Wnt/β-catenin signaling has received less attention. This review aims to summarize recent evidence regarding the modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling by a specific type of mechanical signal, the stiffness of the extracellular matrix. The review shows that mechanical stiffness can indeed modulate this pathway in several cell types, through differential expression of Wnt ligands, receptors and inhibitors, as well as by modulating β-catenin levels. However, the specific mechanisms are yet to be fully elucidated.
Internal insulation of solid masonry walls – field experiment with Phenolic foam and lime-cork based insulating plaster
Authors: Jensen Nickolaj Feldt , Rode Carsten , Andersen Birgitte , Bjarløv Søren Peter , Møller Eva B.
Published: June 2020

The study investigated the hygrothermal performance and risk of mould growth in two thermal insulation systems for internal retrofitting purposes; a phenolic foam system with a closed cell structure, and a capillary active diffusion-open lime-cork based insulating plaster. The setup consisted of a 40-feet (12.2 m) insulated reefer container with controlled indoor climate, reconfigured with several holes (1x2 m each) containing solid masonry walls with embedded wooden elements on the interior side and different interior insulation systems, with and without exterior hydrophobisation. Focus was on the conditions in the interface between wall and insulation system, and in the embedded wooden elements. Relative humidity and temperature were measured in several locations in the test walls over two years, and the mould risk was evaluated by measurements and the VTT mould growth model. Findings for the interior phenolic foam system indicated that exposed walls experienced high relative humidity and high risk of moisture-induced problems. Exterior hydrophobisation had a positive effect on the moisture balance for the southwest oriented wall with phenolic foam. The lime-cork based insulating plaster showed high relative humidity and risk of moisture-induced problems, with and without hydrophobisation.
Moisture in walls before and after internal wall insulation: a long-term in-situ dataset
Authors: Grint Naomi , Elwell Clifford A.
Published: June 2020

This work addresses the need for long-term, high-resolution, in-situ datasets by providing in-wall humidity and temperature data from three walls of in-use office buildings over three to four years, two of which were insulated during this period. Temperature and humidity sensors were inserted diagonally into three locations within the thick brick walls, and the holes were carefully packed with dry brick dust. Surface, ambient and interstitial measurements were also recorded, as were additional climatic data during 18 months at one wall, and in-wall moisture content using resistance pins for 18 months in another. This dataset is unique due to the combination of temporal length and resolution, spatial detail, as well as the availability of control data from both before and after insulation and the use of real climatic conditions on both sides of the walls. The experiment was designed to produce data to facilitate parameter estimation by inverse analysis. By using these estimated parameters, or by taking material property measurements, it would also be useful for validating and calibrating hygrothermal models, and by using plausible ranges for parameters it is useful for exploring model performance, such as through sensitivity analyses.
Cooling of schools – results from a demonstration project using adiabatic evaporative cooling with harvested rainwater
Authors: Hviid Christian A. , Zukowska-Tejsen Daria , Nielsen Vilhjalmur
Published: June 2020

This paper reports on a demonstration project where a section of a school building with eight classrooms and three other rooms was retrofitted with a mechanical balanced ventilation system with an integrated evaporative cooling unit. The floor area was 537 m2. Especially in temperate climates, evaporative cooling has unreleased potential as an alternative solution to conventional cooling technologies, and by combining it with harvesting of rainwater, the solution aligns well with a future with higher cooling needs, need for climate adaptation, and the overall sustainability agenda. The cooling unit works by storing, filtering and spraying rainwater into the return air. The water evaporates, cools the return air, and through an innovative corrosion-resilient plastic heat exchanger, the return air then absorbs heat from the supply air. In this way indoor climate problems caused by humidification of the indoor air are avoided. The demonstration was running in the May and June 2019. The results show that the specific fan power increased approx. 500 J/m3 when the evaporative cooling pumps were activated and that the available cooling power – depending on the moisture content of the return air – was fluctuating in the range 20-30 W/m2. The peak rainwater consumption was approx. 1 m3/day. The results show that implementation of evaporative cooling with harvested rainwater is an attractive and sustainable alternative to mechanical compressor cooling.
Water vapor transport to a semi-infinite material with simultaneous varying surface relative humidity and temperature
Authors: Hagentoft Carl-Eric
Published: June 2020

The water vapor transfer between the indoor air and hygroscopic finishing materials is of importance for the moisture balance of the room. Most protocols for determining the effect are based on isothermal conditions and cycling relative humidity in the form of square wave or sinusoidal functions. A new analytical solution for a material exposed to a both time varying surface relative humidity and temperature is presented in the paper. The time varying temperature inside the material is assumed to follow the surface temperature throughout the material layer since the reaction time for temperature changes in a reasonable thin surface material is rather short compared with the one for moisture changes. The semi-infinite approach is justified by the fact that the penetration depth for moisture variations are very limited for diurnal variations. The analytical approach and solution are presented in the paper
Air leakage paths in buildings: Typical locations and implications for the air change rate
Authors: Gullbrekken Lars , Schjøth Bunkholt Nora , Geving Stig , Rüther Petra
Published: June 2020

The harsh Norwegian climate requires buildings designed to high standards. An airtight building envelope is crucial to achieve an energy efficient building and to avoid moisture problems. Results from the SINTEF Building defects archive show that a considerable part of the building defects is related to air leakages. In addition, air leakages increase the energy demand of buildings. A literature study has been conducted in order to map typical air leakage paths of Norwegian wooden houses. In order to increase the performance, different sealing methods including the use of tape has been reviewed. The results show that the most common air leakages reported from field measurements in the literature are in the connections between external wall and ceiling or floor, external wall and window or door, and external wall and penetrations in the barrier layers. Results from laboratory investigations showed that the traditional solutions can be further improved by introduction of modern foil materials in combination with sealing tapes. However, questions can be raised regarding the necessity of tape sealing all available joints.
Internal particulate matter pollution in educational building
Authors: Nowak-Dzieszko K. , Kisilewicz T.
Published: June 2020

The authors undertook research on the proper strategy of operation of educational building with gravitational ventilation in historic city center with high concentration of particulate matter PM10 and PM 2.5. In this facility the momentary increase in carbon dioxide concentration is often very high, and at the same time health requirements regarding atmospheric aerosol should be absolutely met. That is why long-term measurements of PM concentration outside and inside, as well as carbon dioxide concentration inside were carried out. CO2 was used also as a tracer gas for measurement of air change intensity. The article presents the first results of these tests and a correlation that occurs between the external and internal concentration of particulate matter PM 10 and PM 2.5. Due to a significant filtration effect of the external building envelope and particle deposition a potential conflict between required gravitational ventilation intensity and internal air pollution with particulate matters was partially reduced.
A new method to estimate point thermal transmittance based on combined two-dimensional heat flow calculation
Authors: Hallik Jaanus , Kalamees Targo
Published: June 2020

A well-insulated, airtight and thermal bridge free building envelope is a key factor for nearly zero energy buildings (nZEB). However, increased insulation thickness and minimized air leakages increase the effect of thermal bridges on overall energy efficiency of the nZEBs. Although several more prominent linear thermal bridges are accounted for in the practice the three-dimensional heat flow through vast array of fixation elements, mounting brackets and other point thermal bridges are usually neglected due to time-consuming model preparation routine, lack of input data as well as high number of different thermal bridges that have to be assessed for a single project. In this study a new method was proposed for predicting three-dimensional heat flow and the point thermal transmittance of thermal bridges caused by full or partial penetration of the building envelope with metal elements with uniform geometry in third dimension based on multiple two-dimensional numerical heat flow calculations. A new parameter (equivalent length of thermal bridge) was defined which incorporates the effect of additional thermal transmittance in third dimension when multiplied by the difference of two thermal coupling coefficients derived for two-dimensional cross section. Multiple linear regression model was fitted on database with 102 cases and verified with separate case of window to wall connection incorporating metal penetration at fixation points. The proposed methodology can be useful in general practice where the design team lacks the skills or software tools for conducting detailed numerical analysis in three dimensions.
Microclimate Environmental Assessment and Impact of Mountain City Pedestrian Streets in Summer
Authors: Xiong Ke , Yang Zhenjing , Cheng Canhua
Published: June 2020

In mountainous cities, walking is an important form of transportation. The microclimate environment of pedestrian streets in summer affects the comfort of pedestrians, especially in hot summer cities. Besides, there are many height differences in mountainous city pedestrian streets, while existing researches of the thermal environment were mainly aimed at plain cities. We used typology to analyze different spatial patterns and tested microclimate of five kinds of streets in the Shanchengxiang of Chongqing. Then the universal thermal climate index (UTCI) was used to evaluate the thermal comfort of different spatial spaces. Firstly, the thermal environment of the mountain city street in summer is extremely uncomfortable and needs to be improved. Secondly, the sky view factor (SVF) has a great impact on the street thermal environment. Among all kinds of streets, the one-sided open B-N (SVF = 0.474) has the worst thermal environment, with an average UTCI of 44.7℃. However, the two-sided enclosed B2-B2 (SVF = 0.052) represents a better thermal environment, with an average UTCI of 35.5℃. The R2 value of 0.88 reflects that the linear correlation between UTCI and SVF is larger than that of H/W, whose R2 value is mere 0.04. Finally, different interfaces and enclosure forms have a great impact on space thermal comfort. This study quantifies the parameters that influence the design of pedestrian streets in mountain cities from the perspective of outdoor microclimate environmental assessment and provide a reference for the sustainable design of regional streets.
Experimental validation of a model-based method for separating the space heating and domestic hot water components from smart-meter consumption data
Authors: Hedegaard Rasmus Elbæk , Kristensen Martin Heine , Petersen Steffen
Published: June 2020

Smart meters are currently being rolled out in European district heating (DH) systems at a large scale to enable time-varying district heating tariffs and improve consumer awareness about their own consumption. Smart-meter data can also be used in more advanced applications, e.g. for establishing model-based control schemes for demand response purposes and data-driven building energy performance labeling schemes. Many of these applications require separate measurements of the consumption for space heating (SH) and preparation of domestic hot water (DHW); however, smart meters often only provide the total DH energy consumption (SH+DHW) in truncated units (e.g. whole kWh on an hourly basis). Typical approaches for separating these two components of DH consumption require measurements with a high temporal and numerical resolution and are therefore not applicable to smart-meter data. New methods suitable for disaggregating the combined DH demand are therefore needed. This paper presents a validation of a model-based method for disaggregating DH consumption using ground truth data from 44 residential buildings.
Glazed balconies and their influence on the temperature reduction factor during the heating season
Authors: Grudzińska Magdalena
Published: June 2020

Glazed buffer spaces have an important influence on the energy performance of buildings, especially in the case of dwellings located in multi-family buildings. The ability to utilize solar radiation during the heating season can be assessed with the use of the temperature reduction factor, expressing the relative temperature rise in the solar space above the outside air temperature. The paper is based on the results of the internal temperature monitoring in dwellings with glazed balconies of different envelope construction and airtightness. The dwellings were located in buildings in Lublin and Zamość, cities in the eastern part of Poland. The measurements took place from July 2017 until September 2018, and the temperature was recorded with the use of iButton sensors. The measurement results were supplemented with the weather data coming from the database of the Polish Institute of Meteorology and Water Management. Thanks to the collected data it was possible to calculate the temperature reduction factor during the subsequent months of the heating season, and to check its relationship with the factors such as the balconies’ orientation, envelope construction and airtightness or the glazing type. The analyses also included the calculation of heat losses reduction achieved thanks to the solar spaces.
Kouvola Housing fair NZEB houses energy, cost and carbon analyses
Authors: Ahmed Kaiser , Hajian Hatef , Hasu Tero , Kurnitski Jarek
Published: June 2020

Building energy efficiency, construction cost, life cycle cost, and carbon emission are the best interests of users, owners and different vendors. This study assessed the energy performance (EP) related investment and operational energy cost of Kouvola housing fair NZEB. Data from 12 new detached houses were collected, which fulfilled the energy certificate class of B according to the Finnish nearly zero energy building (NZEB) regulation. Besides, emission from building materials, construction and energy use during 50 years of one model building were estimated, aiming to compare the life cycle emission from wooden building, insulated concrete building, blockhouse and log house. The results showed that the total construction cost was independent to EP-value and even had a slightly negative correlation to the EP-value. The average EP-value of 12 buildings was slightly higher than that of buildings in Tampere housing fair 2012, which showed no improvement of nearly zero energy building (NZEB) guidelines since 2012. Energy performance related cost dependency in specific cost categories was shown so that EP-value improvement by 40 units increased less than 2% of construction cost. Electricity had a significant contribution to CO2emission while local district heating was based on renewables. Material emissions contribution was 32-48% of total emissions, and wooden buildings showed lower carbon footprint compared to other building structures.
Market review over the energy policies that stimulate, encourage and adopt building codes for nZEB promotion: the US and the European case
Authors: Moga Ligia , Maghiar Marcel
Published: June 2020

The building sector represents on a worldwide level, one of the larger energy consumers that should reduce its negative impact on the exterior environment. On a European level there are several directives that promote the transition to a decarbonized building sector that can be achieved by promoting the design and energy retrofit activity into nearly Zero Energy Building. The 2020 Climate and Energy Package, the 2030 Climate and Energy Framework and the 2050 Long-Term Strategy have the same goal, of cutting greenhouse gas emissions to admissible levels. In the United States the US Department of Energy alongside with the National Institute of Building Sciences set several targets for the development of a very energy efficient building stock. Thus, the paper offers an overview of the energy legislation implementation in European countries and in the United States, with a focus on identifying similarities and differences between the two regions. The first focus of the paper is on technical or legislative aspects identified in Europe and the United States in promoting nZEBs. Second, the definition of nZEB and its progress will be discussed and third several case studies will be discussed with the aim of identifying key points in achieving nZEB levels.
Underground parking lot at Turku market square - Zero energy parking hall and the biggest solar energy storage in the world
Authors: Lautkankare Rauli , Salomaa Nikolas , Martinkauppi Birgitta , Slobodenyuk Anna
Published: June 2020

This paper opens the case Turku market square underground parking lot from the energy perspective. Also constructional and historical aspects are presented. Heavily populated city center has faced several challenges, such as intense traffic. Uncomfortable local tailpipe emissions and lack of parking spaces have decreased living conditions for the citizens and visitors. Therefore, total renovation of main market square of Turku was started in autumn 2018. Together with that, municipality should respond not only to primary needs, but also to national and global environmental targets. One of the new strategy objectives for Turku is being carbon-neutral city by 2029. Hence, project was based on large-scale renewable resources utilization for urban underground spaces. Research and analysis of possible technical solutions was made. Modern time is characterized by climate change and strong measures that need to be taken to stop the global warming. The heat, cold and electricity should be produced in a carbon neutral manner. This doesn’t exclude heated multilevel car parking facilities either. As the parking capacity grows and finding a free place is easier, a positive environmental effect is expected to be reached. The described underground parking lot in Turku is first of its kind in many ways: 1) Never before underground parking lot has dug up and constructed into clay-based soils in Finland, 2) it is probably the first zero carbon energy parking hall in Europe and 3) it has the biggest solar thermal energy storage in the world.
Measured and simulated energy performance of OLK NZEB with heat pump and energy piles in Hämeenlinna
Authors: Fadejev Jevgeni , Simson Raimo , Kesti Jyrki , Kurnitski Jarek
Published: June 2020

In this work, measured energy use of the building space heating, ventilation supply air heating, appliances and lighting is compared against simulated energy use modelled in IDA ICE. As built energy need and detailed measured input data is applied in building model calibration procedure. Calibrated building model energy performance is studied in both measured and test reference year climate conditions. Previously modelled as built plant automation and implemented control logics are compared against measured. Geothermal plant in this study consists of heat pump, solar collectors, boreholes and energy piles. Heat pump SCOP estimated by post processing according to heat pump manufacturer’s performance map is compared against measured SCOP on the monthly basis. Opinion on actual plant operation is given and energy performance improvement potential is quantified. Important parameters for successful building model calibration are presented. Building compliance with Finland NZEB requirements are assessed. The results show good match with measured energy use after the model calibration.
Strategies for school buildings refurbishment in Portuguese climate
Authors: Cavaleiro Barbosa Francisca , Peixoto de Freitas Vasco , Almeida Manuela
Published: June 2020

Portuguese school buildings are generally characterized by an in-service thermal discomfort, due to the poor envelope thermal properties and the lack of resources for paying energy consumption. Most Portuguese schools are free-running buildings with a natural ventilation strategy. Hundreds of high and basic schools have not been refurbished and still have problems or anomalies and inadequate in-service conditions and need to be rehabilitated in the near future. There will be, therefore, an opportunity to apply the acquired knowledge of comfort, habits, energy consumption and costs that have been studied since the last refurbishments (2008). This work studies the Portuguese Brandão schools model (from the ’70s), including about 100 non-refurbished basic schools. A prototype classroom was prepared in a Brandão school, in Porto. The in situ experimental campaign consisted of temperature, relative humidity, CO2 concentration and energy consumption measurements. The main tasks of this work are: (1) the validation of an advanced hygrothermal model with experimental measurements before and after the prototype refurbishment; (2) development of a sensitivity study in order to choose the best refurbishment and heating strategies for these buildings, regarding their typology, the local climate features and the actual capacity to support the operating costs; (3) assessment of the roof insulation thickness in Brandão schools; (4) quantification of discomfort indicators.
A tool for Danish buildings energy retrofit design and evaluation using dynamic energy simulations
Authors: Jradi Muhyiddine , Engelbrecht Foldager Henrik , Camillus Jeppesen Rasmus
Published: June 2020

In general, static tools and simplified assessment approaches are still dominating the Danish building energy retrofit market. These static tools are generally associated with a large number of assumptions and tend to neglect the overall building dynamics. This leads to major uncertainties and substantial gaps between the predicted performance, promised before retrofitting, and the real building performance after carrying out the retrofit project. To overcome these challenges, this work presents the design, development and demonstration of DanRETRO, a tool for Danish buildings energy retrofit design and evaluation. The tool uses a large database of dynamic performance simulations employing EnergyPlus, for different building types, ages and sizes, allowing a preliminary assessment of the technical, economic and environmental impacts of various retrofit measures. In this regard, the tool provides a large selection of retrofit techniques and measures along with retrofit packages. DanRETRO is intended to be a comprehensive building energy retrofit assessment tool, but at the same time being simple to use with minimal inputs. The demonstration of the tool in an office building, a single-family house and an apartment in Denmark is presented and assessed. DanRETRO evaluation results are aimed to serve as a basis to aid energy retrofit projects decision-making.
The 3D printing challenge in buildings
Authors: Pessoa Sofia , Guimarães Ana Sofia
Published: June 2020

The rising awareness and usage of Building Information Modelling (BIM), a methodology that allows for better information management and communication amongst the several stakeholders of a building project, opened the construction sector's door to digital fabrication tools that for years have been applied in many highly productive industries. 3D printing (3DP), unlike the conventional construction process that showed no signs of progress over the past decades, has already proven to be an interesting technology for Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC), enabling important economic, environmental and constructability advantages, such as a reduction in building time and waste, mass customization and complex architectural shapes. Consequently, universities alongside companies worldwide, are now developing and applying 3DP to building construction. However, with the growing adoption of new technologies in AEC, new challenges arise that must be overcome in order to guarantee the buildings' correct performance. Therefore, this paper presents a literature review conducted to highlight new developments regarding the building physics and comfort of additively manufactured structures. The research revealed that the focus so far was guaranteeing printability, structural soundness, safety and durability, which means that there are still key requirements to be met, including fire resistance and adequate hygrothermal and acoustic behaviour.
Comparative analysis of selected glass systems by dynamic simulation using measured real environmental conditions
Authors: Bizoňová Silvia , Katunský Dušan , Bagoňa Miloslav
Published: June 2020

The subject of the study presents the measurement of temperatures on surfaces of glass systems of existing structures and the surfaces of experimental glass systems obtained by dynamic simulation. Measurements were made in the test cells of the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Technical University of Košice. The partial results of which are the basis for the comparison of the currently installed and experimentally designed glass systems using spectrally selective films. The proposed mathematical-physical model was simplified by replacing the sash, frame and its components with a homogenous element with minimal shape modifications, while this does not have a significant effect on the simulation results. The choice of the proposed glass system respects the need for reduction of solar gains in summer and heat losses in buildings in winter through the weakest part of the building envelope and indicates future energy savings in relation to cooling and heating costs with a view to optimizing light and thermal comfort.
Threshold values for mould growth: Critical moisture level of 21 different building materials
Authors: Johansson Pernilla , Lång Lukas , Bok Gunilla , Capener Carl-Magnus
Published: June 2020

The susceptibility for mould growth varies among different building materials. One way to describe the susceptibility is the lowest RH at which mould can grow on a specific material, the critical moisture level (RHcrit). Determining RHcrit for materials provide the basis for material choice in designs where moisture and temperature conditions are known. In this study, RHcrit of 21different products were determined according to SIS-TS 41:2014/SPMet 4927. This test method is developed based on the results of a variety of laboratory studies and validated by field studies. Test specimens were inoculated with a suspension containing spores from six different mould fungi and were then incubated in moisture chambers at four levels of RH at 22 °C. After 12 weeks specimens were analysed for mould growth. RHcrit was determined based on the lowest RH at which mould grew on the specimens. RHcrit varied among different products, even between product belonging to a similar group of material, for example, calcium silicate boards or gypsum boards. The results show, and confirm, previous findings that it is not possible to estimate RHcrit for a specific product based on material group. Instead, each product must be tested.
Performance of wood and wood-based materials regarding fungal decay
Authors: Vanpachtenbeke Michiel , Van den Bulcke Jan , Van Acker Joris , Roels Staf
Published: June 2020

Due to the increasingly stringent energy efficiency requirements, timber frame houses are becoming more and more popular across Europe. Depending on the circumstances, timber frame walls might be exposed to high relative humidity or condensation conditions, leading to a risk of fungal degradation. In order to assess the durability of a timber frame construction in a reliable way, a clear view on the potential risk of fungal growth is essential. Various experiments are reported in literature to define the minimal moisture threshold for fungal decay, yet all very different in set-up and hence leading to contradictory conclusions. Therefore, the present paper aims at a contribution to a better understanding of the influence of moisture conditions on the onset and progress of wood decay in timber frame walls. Based on the information that is still lacking in international literature, a new test methodology has been elaborated within this work and is reported in this paper.
Influence of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) on the thermal performance of building envelopes
Authors: Zhou Hongxia , Fransson Åke , Olofsson Thomas
Published: June 2020

To understand the influence of PCM wall configurations on the thermal performance of building envelopes, an explicit finite element model of heat transfer from indoor to outdoor (or vice versa) is developed. The accuracy of this model is first validated against the electrical circuit analogy model, and then compared with the experimental data measured in a Hot-Box device. A good agreement between the simulation results and experimental results is obtained. The results of this study show that the PCM configuration layer sequence significantly will affect the thermal performance of building envelopes and that the FEM model developed is a promising tool, which after some more development may be used for optimising PCM wall configurations.
Solar reflectance of ETICS finishing coatings – a comparison of experimental techniques
Authors: Ramos Nuno M. M. , Souza Andrea R. , Maia Joana , Almeida Ricardo M. S. F.
Published: June 2020

The solar reflectance has a significant role in the thermal behaviour and surface temperature of ETICS finishing coats. Incomplete information of solar reflectance of ETICS with nanopigments can sometimes difficult their adequate selection. In this work, the solar reflectance of different ETICS finishing coats was measured using two distinct methodologies, and the importance of the adopted procedure was discussed. The experimental methodologies used were: i) the adapted conventional pyranometer technique (non-ASTM E1918A), which measures the global solar reflectance; and ii) the use of the spectrophotometry, to measure the spectral reflectance. It was verified that the E1918A methodology is more sensitive to environmental conditions than the spectrophotometry procedure. Also, the calculation of solar reflectance with spectrophotometer can be carried out by the 50 or 100 ordinates. However, the surface characteristics, as the concentration of pigments and roughness, affect more the solar reflectance measured with the spectrophotometer than with the pyranometer. It was verified that the nanopigments could improve solar reflectance and change the spectral reflectance. The results showed that, if the procedure is well applied, both methodologies could be used to evaluate the advantages of incorporating nanopigments in façade finishing coatings and also to assess the durability of these materials.
Thermal Conductivity of Silica-aerogel (SA) and Autoclave Aerated Concrete (AAC) Composites
Authors: Mingliang Qu , Shuaiqi Tian , Liwu Fan , Zitao Yu , Jian Ge
Published: June 2020

Improving the thermal insulating performance of porous building materials is of great practical significance for building energy conservation. In this work, silica aerogels (SA) with ultralow thermal conductivity were proposed as an appropriate candidate to be integrated with autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) to produce novel SA-AAC composites with higher thermal insulating performance by physical solution impregnation method. The pore-structures, mechanical and thermal properties of the SA-AAC composites were probed by various experimental tests. According to the microscopy and porosimetry results, SA were observed to adhere to the surface walls of the AAC holes, thus reducing the amount of macro-sized pores. In addition, the improved thermal insulating performance of AAC was successfully achieved with the relative improvement depending on the porosity of the pristine AAC. At the mass fraction of SA of ~7%, the highest relative improvement was found to be ~30% The results of this work exhibited a great potential of this novel SA-AAC composite in engineering applications.