Key Engineering Materials Vol. 572

Abstract: Environmental impact assessment ensures that the environmental considerations are accounted before the decision about an economic activity, the new technology or materials is made. In developed countries, e.g. France different methods and tools are used to assess the environmental impact as life cycle assessment (LCA) etc. In countries with transitional economy, as Russia in site assessment of an activity often prevails. There are number of challenges exist to better account the environmental impact, including legislative constraints, culture of methods and tools.

Abstract: The comparison of five popular life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) software tools was conducted, including CES EDUPACK, Solidworks Sustainability, Sustainable Minds, SimaPro, and Gabi. Six comparison criteria were used, regarding the function to define a product and its life cycle, LCIA methods employed in the software, availability for the user to modify/update the databases embedded in the software, and detail information and Presentation of the results. The comparison results provide useful information for the user to select suitable software tools for LCIA applications.

Abstract: In 2009, Bureau of Energy, Ministry of Economic Affairs, initiated a three year program, Fuel Cell Demonstration and Certification Subsidy Program. During the following years, Taiwans government allocated 300 million NTD (approximately 10 million USD) towards the subsidy program to support 38 demonstration projects. Three cases were selected amongst these projects and discussed in this article. The first project illustrated a 5kW fuel cell system providing stable backup power for telecom base station. The second project, demoed at Taipei International Flora Exposition, adopted a 30kW fuel cell stationary system to promote the green energy concept. The last case exhibited a Hydrogen Scenery House. This unique building integrated several renewable energies as well as a fuel cell system to provide auxiliary power for the building.The case studies' achievements are then analyzed, and the recommendation for future development is proposed.

Abstract: This study compares seven different LED commercial lighting systems using Life Cycle Assessment methodology. The environmental impact of seven LED systems was assessed in a baseline study in 2010 and monitored in 2012. The next monitoring phases are planned in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The ReCiPe endpoint method was applied to calculate the environmental impact. The results of the baseline study show that the main environmental impacts of LED lighting systems are a result of the use phase. The differences between the seven systems were mainly due to energy consumption, energy efficiency and the level of produced light (luminance).The on-going environmental performance of the different LED lighting systems was monitored based on these Key Environmental Performance Indicators (KEPIs). The first evaluation took place in 2012. The results show that compared with the baseline study, the environmental impact has increased for six out of the seven LED lighting systems mainly as a result of a decrease in luminance.

Abstract: For global sustainability development, energy efficiency is always a key element. Especially with fast progress and adoption of LED technology in recent years, which offers superior energy efficiency and design possibilities, lighting secured its center role in sustainable innovation. However, to achieve significant energy saving as eco-design for lighting product/system, we need to constantly look beyond current product architecture and platforms. One of the key options is focusing on innovative material that enables improvements on both current architecture and future designs. In this paper, we will present the study of several bio-based materials and an innovative reflective coating that potentially to realize this contribution in eco-design.

Abstract: The reflective properties of white solder masks are subject to this investigation. Selected materials were used to fabricate test boards with increasing solder resist thickness, ranging from 1 to 4 layers. Reflectivity and reflectivity loss were measured, and some visual and mechanical properties. Our main conclusion is that high reflective white solder masks appear suitable for optical mixing design-in for lighting systems. The main route seems to be to print a first layer of a white photosensitive solder resist, which will define the component footprint for soldering; followed by multiple layers of a screen printed, thermal curable white resist, with slightly bigger opening, which will give the needed reflectivity and stability. Reflectivity increases with increasing layer thickness from 87-90% for one layer of 20µm to 95% for four layers or 80µm. Reflectivity loss up to 10% is observed in the blue spectrum after heat treatment for 1000hrs at 100°C.

Abstract: Water is a valuable natural resource which poor management is making it scarce. It is this lack of care that has created a series of social and technical problems, among them, the difficulties to distribute it to every home, particularly in Mexico. In order to solve such problems, it is necessary to find alternatives for its harvesting, care, distribution and use; allowing reducing social stress and better water stewardship [1]. One option is using Biomimicry and design as tools to find innovative, sustainable solutions. This paper aims to report the initial results of the first stage from a research project currently being carried out in which two different Mexican plants of notable importance, in economic and even gastronomical terms, had been analyzed through the eyes of the Biomimicry in order to extrapolate possible solutions of water harvesting and distribution.

Abstract: The authors former research group developed a desktop-size and distributed production system named Micorfactory. Microfactory consisted of 5 compact machines and was capable to fabricate small parts with sufficient accuracies. Since its introduction 13 years ago, various machines to fulfill the different tasks covered by the Microfactory have been developed. However, promotion of systematic innovation of the services utilizing micorfactory concept has been insufficient. The paper first identifies potential services that can be combined with the Micorfactory, considering potential advantages of the microfactory-like compact production system. Although these business models with conventional manufacturing systems are not unique, the service can be distinguished in case of microfactories regarding its on-demand and on-site characteristics. It also enhances the sustainability of the manufacturing industries. To clarify the advantage of these combinations of compact systems with services, the paper shows an example. Finally, the paper concludes that services combined with micorfactories are the promising areas to enhance sustainability of production.

Abstract: The academic and industrial literature presents a lot of innovations to improve the energy efficiency of the home appliances around the world. However, few methodologies are able to combine innovations and eco-sustainability, during the design phase of green products.In this context, the paper defines an approach to analyse the relationships between different types of innovation and the relative environmental impacts, during the product lifecycle. The analysis has been performed by defining innovations categories and comparing the product Life Cycle Assessment before and after their implementation. This approach represents the preliminary phase of the innovation process, required to support the product manager.The approach has been experimented within a household appliances company, highlighting that there are innovations able to reduce the energy and water consumption respectively of 25% and 30%.

Abstract: The limited data availability, transparency and harmonisation in environmental assessments of products are bottlenecks for improved environmental and sustainability governance. Despite the progressive developments of information and communication systems, reliable, accurate, up-to-date data for assessing the resource use of products and services is still lacking. Resource accounting systems often have limited scope on single companies, processes or products. This paper presents an approach for an automated bottom-up accounting system for measuring resource efficiency at product and service level. It is based on a global collaborative network of resource accounting nodes connected for the accounting of natural resources use for products and services. Using an Internet-based service-oriented architecture, relevant and timely data is passed from supplier to customer recursively through the whole value chain to produce an “ecoCost” for each product or service. This conceptual paper reflects first experiences from partners of the myEcoCost project funded by European Commission (www.myecocost.com).