Marina Neophytou

Bio: Marina Neophytou is an academic researcher from University of Cyprus. The author has contributed to research in topics: Urban heat island & Canyon. The author has an hindex of 22, co-authored 54 publications receiving 1725 citations. Previous affiliations of Marina Neophytou include University of Cambridge & École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne.

CFD simulations and field measurements of urban microclimate in a real compact heterogeneous urban area

Abstract: Considering the radical increase of urban population and the trend toward urbanization, the analysis of microclimatic conditions in the urban environment is getting more significant. In this perspective, this study analyzes microclimatic conditions in a real urban area. The real compact inhomogeneous urban area under study is located in Nicosia old town, in Cyprus. High-resolution Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are performed based on the 3D unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations to assess the air temperature and wind speed distributions. The CFD results are compared with on-site measurements for the same area. The results show that CFD can predict air temperatures in compact real urban areas, with an average deviation of 6.8%. Based on the results, conclusions are going to be made regarding thermal comfort in the case study area.

Buoyancy-generated turbulent flows in semi-enclosed regions: a computational fluid dynamics study

Abstract: In recent years, fires in tunnels have occurred frequently, often with tragic outcomes. A recent example is the fire on the funicular train at the ski resort in Kaprun, Austria, which caused nearly 160 deaths. Design engineers and risk analysts need to know about the fluid dynamics of the fire and the smoke movement in order to answer questions such as: how much oxygen can access and feed the fire, and to what concentration of smoke people are exposed. In the Austrian accident, the geometry involved was that of a long, inclined tunnel with fire doors closed at one end, and with a fire initiated near the closed (lower) end. The hot smoke from the fire is a source of buoyancy; the smoke reaches the ceiling of the tunnel and then develops along the ceiling as a wall-bounded plume. The motion of the smoke is driven by a buoyancy force, but at the same time, a mechanism of turbulent mass and heat transfer acts as a brake to this motion. The present study investigates the dynamics of this class of flows and produces models for their qualitative and quantitative description. It concludes that the mean propagation velocity (U) scales with the released buoyancy flux per unit depth as F01/3 and determines the effects of tunnel inclination on the dynamics of the flow.

The Impact on Urban Air Quality of the COVID-19 Lockdown Periods in 2020: The Case of Nicosia, Cyprus

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of the lockdown measures in 2020 on the urban air quality in Nicosia capital city, in Cyprus—an island-country in the East Mediterranean—which is often affected by transboundary dust pollution. The study focuses on three criteria pollutants, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and Particulate Matter (PM10), taken from three Air Quality Monitoring Stations; two urban stations and one reference-background. The results of this study show that the decrease in traffic, which is the main source of high concentrations of pollutants in the urban area, reached up to 66.5% during the lockdown. At the beginning of the lockdown period, it exhibited a downward trend of 29% for CO concentration, and downward trend 43% for NO2 and PM10 concentrations. The NO2 concentration exhibited an upward trend towards the end of the lockdown; with the indication that this was due to meteorological conditions relevant to the monitoring stations and the transport of NO2 concentrations from sources that cannot be tracked. PM10 concentrations exhibited a varying behaviour as observed in the trends, where the decreasing trend was followed by an increasing trend due to transboundary air pollution episodes occurring in the same period.

Building Island Communities of Practice for Achieving Local Sustainable Cultural Tourism Objectives

Abstract: The prevalence of a series of megatrends and challenges such as climate change, overtourism and health crisis, have demonstrated even more the necessity to shift from the current mass and overcrowded, spatially concentrated tourism models to less crowded, more spatially dispersed, and secure environments. This tendency pushed island destinations to rethink their tourism profiles. Nonetheless, the majority of island communities depend on tourism for their economic well-being, which requires rethinking the highly appreciated island tourism destinations’ strategies towards more sustainable models. According to European policies and academics, alternative forms of tourism, such as cultural tourism, seem to be the solution for achieving this objective, also by including participatory practises in local communities. Starting from these considerations, this work presents the ongoing ISL project (Forming interdisciplinary Island Communities of Practice operating for sustainable cultural tourIsm models). This paper describes a general overview of the ISL Project which purpose is to offer innovative high quality participatory tools to (i) promote awareness and mobilise local communities and stakeholders on their cultural identity, cultural awareness and their social and historical heritage and (ii) support social and territorial cohesion of island communities at a local and trans-island/transnational level by promoting participatory cultural tourism schemes.

An updated roadmap for the integration of metal–organic frameworks with electronic devices and chemical sensors

Abstract: Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are typically highlighted for their potential application in gas storage, separations and catalysis. In contrast, the unique prospects these porous and crystalline materials offer for application in electronic devices, although actively developed, are often underexposed. This review highlights the research aimed at the implementation of MOFs as an integral part of solid-state microelectronics. Manufacturing these devices will critically depend on the compatibility of MOFs with existing fabrication protocols and predominant standards. Therefore, it is important to focus in parallel on a fundamental understanding of the distinguishing properties of MOFs and eliminating fabrication-related obstacles for integration. The latter implies a shift from the microcrystalline powder synthesis in chemistry labs, towards film deposition and processing in a cleanroom environment. Both the fundamental and applied aspects of this two-pronged approach are discussed. Critical directions for future research are proposed in an updated high-level roadmap to stimulate the next steps towards MOF-based microelectronics within the community.