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Adaptive opaque facades can dynamically adapt their thermal properties according to both outdoor and indoor conditions, hence can enhance the energy efficiency of the building while maintaining high indoor environmental quality. Traditional façade thermal performance metrics such as U-value or R-value can be useful to evaluate the energy performance of buildings. However, the adaptive opaque façade systems require versatile testing protocols to characterize their thermal performance under their various operation modes. This paper provides a comprehensive review the experimental testing protocols and standards that have been reported to characterize the dynamic thermal performance of adaptive opaque façades. These testing protocols are compared to those commonly used to evaluate conventional building envelope assemblies. The outcomes of the review include a set of recommendations to develop laboratory testing set-ups, protocols, and metrics to consistently measure the dynamic thermal performance of adaptive opaque facades. • Energy demand of buildings can be reduced with adaptive opaque facades. • Adaptive Opaque facades can control dynamically heat transfer. • Few laboratory tests characterized adaptive opaque facades' thermal performance. • Reported tests have notable differences in the set-up configurations and protocols. • Recommendations are given to consistently characterize adaptive opaque facades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, comprehensive characterization of Caryota urens spadix fibre has been done to examine its morphological, physical, mechanical, chemical and thermal properties. High cellulose content of the fibre (42.1 wt%) provides better tensile strength (1970-6330 MPa) and ensures better bonding with the matrix. Moreover, the low density of the fibre (0.78 gcm-3) makes it alternative for hazardous synthetic fibres. The lower crystal size structure tends to absorb more water than the higher crystal size structure. The thermogravimetric analysis confirms its stability up to 270°C, which is higher than the polymerization temperature. The results confirm the potential of Caryota urens spadix fibres as reinforcement in bio-reinforced polymer composites for automotive and structural applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental work to assess the thermal performance of complex building components often requires testing under real and therefore variable conditions. The PASLINK methodology developed during many years by a European network of outdoor test centres is a dynamic methodology that provides high quality data sets and makes it possible to study the thermal behaviour of tested building components. The test methodology defines the application of a “standard” set of sensors and instruments that are fixed for all experiments carried out in this type of test cells. These minimum set of sensors are the ones described by the PASLINK network quality assurance documentation. The test procedure also includes a calibration process of the test cells. Usually the specific component to be tested is also equipped with extra sensors to obtain specific information of the thermal behaviour of the sample. An example of the sensors over a specific roof test component will be also presented. Finally the data acquisition system requirements will be presented briefly, including both data logger and the software designed for the test control and data acquisition. They must fulfil all the requirements needed for an appropriate testing strategy and a reliable data handling. It is important to note that the requirements here expressed are valid for any type of test carried out to test the thermal behaviour of a building component under real climate but well controlled conditions. Traceability of all processes and data handling is indispensable for guaranteeing a high quality of the experimental work as well as the evaluation of the collected data by means of dynamic analysis methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Blending of polyamide 6/high density polyethylene (PA6/HDPE=70/30 wt%) was prepared by melt compounding using a twin screw extruder followed by injection molding using HDPE-g-MAH served as compatibilizer. A series combination of PA6/HDPE with HDPE-g-MAH were blended with varied composition of 100/0, 98/2, 96/4, 94/6 and 92/8. The mechanical properties of the samples such as tensile test, flexural test and elongation at break were measured by universal tensile machine while hardness was measured using the Zwick Roell hardness tester. The composites were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA). The addition of HDPE-g-MAH (2wt%) showed increased in modulus, strength and hardness but elongation at break decreased. DSC tests showed similar trend for all compositions. All mechanical tests also showed that composition of 98% PA6/HDPE with 2% HDPE-g-MAH has the highest value indicated best formulation for this research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Tecnologia em Metalurgia, Materiais e Mineração is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Metalurgia e Materiais and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: In this paper PCM is added to three types of stabilized rammed. Mechanical and thermal characterization is carried out. To do so, the compressive strength is optimized and the final compositions obtained are used to formulate the materials which will be thermally characterized. The optimization process is done with a design of experiments (DoE) and a variance analysis (ANOVA). Finally, LCA is used to evaluate the environmental impact during the manufacturing phase, due to the addition of stabilizers and PCM in the rammed earth. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of DYNA - Ingeniería e Industria is the property of Publicaciones Dyna SL and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have been proposed as suitable colloidal carriers for delivery of drugs with limited solubility. Ketoprofen as a model drug was incorporated into SLNs prepared from a mixture of beeswax and carnauba wax using Tween 80 and egg lecithin as emulsifiers. The characteristics of the SLNs with various lipid and surfactant composition were investigated. The mean particle size of drug-loaded SLNs decreased upon mixing with Tween 80 and egg lecithin as well as upon increasing total surfactant concentration. SLNs of 75 ± 4 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.2 ± 0.02 were obtained using 1% (vol/vol) mixed surfactant at a ratio of 60:40 Tween 80 to egg lecithin. The zeta potential of these SLNs varied in the range of –15 to –17 (mV), suggesting the presence of similar interface properties. High drug entrapment efficiency of 97% revealed the ability of SLNs to incorporate a poorly water-soluble drug such as ketoprofen. Differential scanning calorimetry thermograms and high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis indicated the stability of nanoparticles with negligible drug leakage after 45 days of storage. It was also found that nanoparticles with more beeswax content in their core exhibited faster drug release as compared with those containing more carnauba wax in their structure. From the Clinical Editor: Ketoprofen as model drug was incorporated into solid lipid nanoparticles, which have been proposed as suitable colloidal carriers for delivery of drugs with limited solubility. High drug entrapment efficiency, stability of nanoparticles with negligible drug leakage and fast drug release can be accomplished using this technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]