Almost half of the total energy produced in the developed world is inefficiently used to heat, cool, ventilate and control humidity in buildings, to meet the increasingly high thermal comfort levels demanded by occupants. The utilisation of advanced materials and passive technologies in buildings would substantially reduce the energy demand and improve the environmental impact and carbon footprint of building stock worldwide.Materials for energy efficiency and thermal comfort in buildings critically reviews the advanced building materials applicable for improving the built environment. Part one reviews both fundamental building physics and occupant comfort in buildings, from heat and mass transport, hygrothermal behaviour, and ventilation, on to thermal comfort and health and safety requirements.Part two details the development of advanced materials and sustainable technologies for application in buildings, beginning with a review of lifecycle assessment and environmental profiling of materials. The section moves on to review thermal insulation materials, materials for heat and moisture control, and heat energy storage and passive cooling technologies. Part two concludes with coverage of modern methods of construction, roofing design and technology, and benchmarking of façades for optimised building thermal performance.Finally, Part three reviews the application of advanced materials, design and technologies in a range of existing and new building types, including domestic, commercial and high-performance buildings, and buildings in hot and tropical climates.This book is of particular use to, mechanical, electrical and HVAC engineers, architects and low-energy building practitioners worldwide, as well as to academics and researchers in the fields of building physics, civil and building engineering, and materials science. - Explores improving energy efficiency and thermal comfort through material selection and sustainable technologies - Documents the development of advanced materials and sustainable technologies for applications in building design and construction - Examines fundamental building physics and occupant comfort in buildings featuring heat and mass transport, hygrothermal behaviour and ventilation

Welcome to "Mastering the Building Envelope: A Comprehensive Guide to Designing for Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort." This book is a culmination of years of experience, research, and innovation in the field of sustainable architecture and construction. The building envelope, often overlooked or underestimated, plays a critical role in the performance of a structure. It serves as the interface between the interior and exterior environments, influencing energy consumption, occupant comfort, and overall building sustainability. As our society increasingly prioritizes environmental stewardship and energy conservation, the importance of optimizing the building envelope has never been greater. In this book, we aim to provide architects, engineers, builders, and students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices involved in designing and constructing high-performance building envelopes. From selecting appropriate materials to implementing advanced energy-efficient technologies, each chapter delves into essential concepts and practical strategies to achieve optimal results. Throughout these pages, you will find: Detailed explanations of building envelope components, including walls, roofs, windows, and doors, with a focus on their role in energy efficiency and thermal comfort. Insights into passive and active design strategies aimed at reducing energy consumption and enhancing occupant well-being. Guidance on assessing performance and compliance with energy codes and standards, as well as tools and resources for evaluation. Case studies highlighting successful projects from around the world, showcasing innovative approaches and lessons learned. Discussions on emerging trends and future directions in building envelope design, including net-zero energy buildings and climate resilience. Our goal is not only to inform but also to inspire. By embracing the principles outlined in this book, you have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the built environment, creating spaces that are not only environmentally responsible but also comfortable, healthy, and enjoyable for occupants. We hope that "Mastering the Building Envelope" serves as a valuable resource in your journey toward sustainable design and construction. Together, let us strive to create buildings that not only stand the test of time but also contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future. Thank you for joining us on this journey.

The handbook provides an understanding of consolidated processing and biorefinery systems for the production of bio-based chemicals and value-added bioproducts from renewable sources. The chapters look at a variety of bioenergy technological advances and improvements in the energy and materials sectors that aim to lower our dependence of fossil fuels and consequently reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The volume looks at a selection of processes for the production of energy and biomaterials, including the Fischer–Tropsch process, gasification, pyrolysis, combustion, fermentation from renewable sources (such as, plants, animals and their byproducts), and others. Applications that are explored include transportation fuels, biodiesel production, wastewater treatment, edible packaging, bioplastics, physical rehabilitation, tissue engineering, biomedical applications, thermal insulation, industrial value compounds, and more. All of the topics covered in this publication address consolidated processes that play a pivotal role in the production of bioenergy and biomaterials because these processes require fewer unitary operations needed in the process, leading to a more direct method of production. This type of production system contributes to decreasing negative effects on the environment, lowering costs, saving energy and time, and improving profitability and efficiency. This volume will be valuable for the industrial sector, for researchers and scientists, as well as for faculty and advanced students.

Encyclopedia of Renewable and Sustainable Materials, Five Volume Set provides a comprehensive overview, covering research and development on all aspects of renewable, recyclable and sustainable materials. The use of renewable and sustainable materials in building construction, the automotive sector, energy, textiles and others can create markets for agricultural products and additional revenue streams for farmers, as well as significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, manufacturing energy requirements, manufacturing costs and waste. This book provides researchers, students and professionals in materials science and engineering with tactics and information as they face increasingly complex challenges around the development, selection and use of construction and manufacturing materials. Covers a broad range of topics not available elsewhere in one resource Arranged thematically for ease of navigation Discusses key features on processing, use, application and the environmental benefits of renewable and sustainable materials Contains a special focus on sustainability that will lead to the reduction of carbon emissions and enhance protection of the natural environment with regard to sustainable materials

Special topic volume with invited peer reviewed papers only.

This book addresses the main challenges in implementing the concepts that aim to replace the regular fossil-fuels based energy pattern with the novel energy pattern relying on renewable energy. As the built environment is one major energy consumer, well known and exploited by each community member, the challenges addressing the built environment has to be solved with the consistent contribution of the community inhabitants and its administration. The transition phase, which already is under implementation, is represented by the Nearly Zero Energy Communities (nZEC). From the research topics towards the large scale implementation, the nZEC concept is analyzed in this book, starting with the specific issues of the sustainable built environment, beyond the Nearly Zero Energy Buildings towards a more integrated view on the community (Chapter1) and followed by various implementation concepts for renewable heating & cooling (Chapter 2), for renewable electrical energy production at community level (Chapter 3) and for sustainable water use and reuse (Chapter 4). As the topic is still new, specific instruments supporting education and training (Chapter 5) are needed, aiming to provide the knowledge that can drive the communities in the near future and is expected to increase the acceptance towards renewable energy implemented at community level. The sub-chapters of this book are the proceedings of the 5th edition of the Conference for Sustainable Energy, during 19-21 October 2017, organized by the R&D Centre Renewable Energy Systems and Recycling, in the R&D Institute of the Transilvania University of Brasov. This event was organized under the patronage of the International Federation for the Science of Machines and Mechanisms (IFToMM) - the Technical Committee Sustainable Energy Systems, of the European Sustainable Energy Alliance (ESEIA) and of the Romanian Academy of Technical Sciences.

The construction industry, a cornerstone of modern development, must meet the growing demand for new buildings while minimizing environmental impact. As global populations rise and living standards improve, the need for sustainable building practices has never been more apparent. Traditional construction methods and materials contribute significantly to carbon emissions, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss. Addressing these issues requires innovative solutions that balance development needs with environmental stewardship. Innovations in Energy Efficient Construction Through Sustainable Materials offers a comprehensive response to this pressing problem. The book explores pioneering approaches to building design and construction, focusing on the use of alternative, low-carbon materials and advanced technologies. It provides an in-depth analysis of current and future trends in sustainable construction, covering topics such as recycling waste materials, utilizing biodegradable resources, and implementing energy-efficient designs. By presenting a variety of research fields and practical applications, the book bridges the gap between theoretical concepts and real-world solutions, making it an essential resource for industry professionals, researchers, and advanced students.

The text begins by discussing the sustainable buildings, energy efficient technologies, advanced materials, advances in renewable energy for building sector, green intelligent infrastructure, policies on sustainable infrastructure, and life cycle assessment. It further presents design considerations, challenges, and applications of net zero energy buildings with a global perspective. The book covers renewable energy technologies for energy-efficient buildings. This book: Discusses the importance of developing new materials for Energy and Heat Transfer Optimization in sustainable buildings and Life Cycle Assessment of Sustainable Building Materials. Investigates the city gas system, sustainable smart cities infrastructure, and Data Mining Techniques in Green Building for Evaluation of energy Cost, Grades and Adoption. Highlights the development and application Net Zero Energy Buildings, Energy Policies and Infrastructure Requirements, Building Performance Prediction & Optimization, and Energy Planning and Thermal Comfort in Buildings Presents renewable energy policies, Social, Economic, and Environmental Issues Associated with Sustainable Buildings, and Emerging Trends in Smart Green Building Technologies. Covers Energy-Efficient Urban Infrastructure, Earth-Air Heat Exchanger, and Retrofitting of existing buildings to achieve energy efficient buildings. It is primarily written for senior undergraduates, graduate students, and academic researchers in the fields of energy engineering, environmental science and engineering, materials science, mechanical engineering, and civil engineering.