Sustainable Materials – Page 4

Development and Performance of Recyclable Composites for Wind Turbine Blades

Ma Y., Kim D., Wu M-S, Bai L., Gao X., Qing B., He J., Lib X., Nutt S.R., Liang B., Adesso Advanced Materials Inc., US

Wind energy has become an increasingly important renewable energy source. In 2015 alone, the U.S. wind industry installed wind turbines generating 8,595 MW, a 77 % increase over 2014 [1], and the market growth is [...]

The Effects of Recycling on the Structure and Properties of Carbon Nanotube-Filled Polycarbonate

Zhang J., Panwar A., Bello D., Isaacs J.A., Jozokos T., Mead J., University of Massachusetts-Lowell, US

Sustainable manufacturing processes are becoming more important in industrial practice. A critical part of the manufacturing process is understanding the recycling behavior of nanocomposite materials, particularly as more recycled plastic nanocomposites are entering the market [...]

Materials for Sustainability & Efficiency

Smart windows for passive control of solar radiation as a function of external ambient temperature

Golding K., Gross N., Donval A., Oron M., Nevo D., KiloLambda Technologies Ltd., IL

A well-known fact is that nearly half of the energy consumed throughout the developed world is used for heating, cooling and lighting of buildings. Buildings are huge energy consumers, since their functions like cooling, heating, [...]

Study of High-Strength Concrete Reinforced with Bamboo Fibers

Soto H., Marrero R., Benítez F., Medina C., University of Puerto Rico, PR

Concrete is the most used construction material worldwide and, as a consequence, has a significant environmental impact. Cement fabrication accounts for 5 to 10% of the global carbon emission. This has driven scientists to create [...]

From Here to Innovation: Safer Alternatives in Building Product Materials

Lent T., Drake S., Perkins+Will, US

The demand for non-toxic building products is pushing manufacturers to look for alternatives to “worst offender” chemicals. While there are long lists of chemicals to avoid (California Prop 65, other governmental lists, and various “red [...]

Structural Determination of Silica-Based Fire-Proof Heat Insulation

Oya N., Kawajiri Y., Kitajima H., Matsumoto K., Sugiura K., Imae K., Imae Y., Imae K., Imae Y., Osaka Prefectural College of Technology, JP

There are urgent needs for fire-proof heat insulations that are particularly used for protection of electric cables in critical power plants. Those insulations must provide sufficient coverages to enormously long cables and even have reduced [...]

High-Performance Nano Insulation Materials for Energy-Efficient Buildings

Jelle B.P., Tilset B.G., Gao T., Grandcolas M., Løvvik O.M., Bohne R.A., Mofid S.A., Ng S., Sagvolden E., Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and, SINTEF Building and Infrastructure, NO

High-performance nano insulation materials (Hi-Per NIM) may be developed by exploiting the Knudsen effect for reduced thermal conductivity and thus make thermal insulation materials with a nanoporous air-filled structure. Hence, these NIMs are supposed to [...]

Materials for Sustainable Building

Sustainable Technology Solutions – Natural rubber to replace plasticized PVC in exterior durable application – A case study by NZ Product Accelerator model of engagement of supply chain partners

De Silva K.K.G., Taylor M., Nilmini R., Kariyawasm S., Vithanachchi J., NZ Product Accelerator - University of Auckland, NZ

Rigid PVC is flexibilized by the addition of plasticizers such as phthalates to obtain the properties of elastomers. These plasticizers in the polymer matrix are not covalently bound to the main polymer chain, which makes [...]