Sustainable design

About: Sustainable design is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 5509 publications have been published within this topic receiving 60398 citations.

Role of Biocatalysis in Sustainable Chemistry

Abstract: Based on the principles and metrics of green chemistry and sustainable development, biocatalysis is both a green and sustainable technology. This is largely a result of the spectacular advances in molecular biology and biotechnology achieved in the past two decades. Protein engineering has enabled the optimization of existing enzymes and the invention of entirely new biocatalytic reactions that were previously unknown in Nature. It is now eminently feasible to develop enzymatic transformations to fit predefined parameters, resulting in processes that are truly sustainable by design. This approach has successfully been applied, for example, in the industrial synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients. In addition to the use of protein engineering, other aspects of biocatalysis engineering, such as substrate, medium, and reactor engineering, can be utilized to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness and, hence, the sustainability of biocatalytic reactions. Furthermore, immobilization of an enzyme ...

A review on the sustainability of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment: Design and operation

Abstract: Constructed wetlands (CWs) have been used as a green technology to treat various wastewaters for sev- eral decades. CWs offer a land-intensive, low-energy, and less-operational-requirements alternative to conventional treatment systems, especially for small communities and remote locations. However, the sustainable operation and successful application of these systems remains a challenge. Hence, this paper aims to provide and inspire sustainable solutions for the performance and application of CWs by giving a comprehensive review of CWs' application and the recent development on their sustainable design and operation for wastewater treatment. Firstly, a brief summary on the definition, classification and appli- cation of current CWs was presented. The design parameters and operational conditions of CWs including plant species, substrate types, water depth, hydraulic load, hydraulic retention time and feeding mode related to the sustainable operation for wastewater treatments were then discussed. Lastly, future research on improving the stability and sustainability of CWs were highlighted.

Designing Resilient, Sustainable Systems

Abstract: Pursuit of sustainable development requires a systems approach to the design of industrial product and service systems. Although many business enterprises have adopted sustainability goals, the actual development of sustainable systems remains challenging because of the broad range of economic, environmental and social factors that need to be considered across the system life cycle. Traditional systems engineering practices try to anticipate and resist disruptions but may be vulnerable to unforeseen factors. An alternative is to design systems with inherent "resilience" bytaking advantage of fundamental properties such as diversity, efficiency, adaptability, and cohesion. Previous work on sustainable design has focused largely upon ecological efficiency improvements. For example, companies have found that reducing material and energy intensity and converting wastes into valuable secondary products creates value for shareholders as well as for society at large. To encourage broader systems thinking, a design protocol is presented that involves the following steps: identifying system function and boundaries, establishing requirements, selecting appropriate technologies, developing a system design, evaluating anticipated performance, and devising a practical means for system deployment. The approach encourages explicit consideration of resilience in both engineered systems and the larger systems in which they are embedded.

State-of-the-art analysis of the environmental benefits of green roofs

Abstract: Green roofs have been proposed for sustainable buildings in many countries with different climatic conditions. A state-of-the-art review of green roofs emphasizing current implementations, technologies, and benefits is presented in this paper. Technical and construction aspects of green roofs are used to classify different systems. Environmental benefits are then discussed mainly by examining measured performances. By reviewing the benefits related to the reduction of building energy consumption, mitigation of urban heat island effect, improvement of air pollution, water management, increase of sound insulation, and ecological preservation, this paper shows how green roofs may contribute to more sustainable buildings and cities. However, an efficient integration of green roofs needs to take into account both the specific climatic conditions and the characteristics of the buildings. Economic considerations related to the life-cycle cost of green roofs are presented together with policies promoting green roofs worldwide. Findings indicate the undeniable environmental benefits of green roofs and their economic feasibility. Likewise, new policies for promoting green roofs show the necessity for incentivizing programs. Future research lines are recommended and the necessity of cross-disciplinary studies is stressed.