scholarly journals Synthetic biology meets bioprinting: enabling technologies for humans on Mars (and Earth)

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 1158-1164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn J. Rothschild
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Thermal Protection ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
In Situ Extraction ◽  
Smart Fabrics ◽  
Robotic Missions ◽  
Life On Earth ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Traditional Approaches ◽  
Human Exploration

Human exploration off planet is severely limited by the cost of launching materials into space and by re-supply. Thus materials brought from Earth must be light, stable and reliable at destination. Using traditional approaches, a lunar or Mars base would require either transporting a hefty store of metals or heavy manufacturing equipment and construction materials for in situ extraction; both would severely limit any other mission objectives. Long-term human space presence requires periodic replenishment, adding a massive cost overhead. Even robotic missions often sacrifice science goals for heavy radiation and thermal protection. Biology has the potential to solve these problems because life can replicate and repair itself, and perform a wide variety of chemical reactions including making food, fuel and materials. Synthetic biology enhances and expands life's evolved repertoire. Using organisms as feedstock, additive manufacturing through bioprinting will make possible the dream of producing bespoke tools, food, smart fabrics and even replacement organs on demand. This new approach and the resulting novel products will enable human exploration and settlement on Mars, while providing new manufacturing approaches for life on Earth.

scholarly journals Foundation Piles—A New Feature for Concrete 3D Printers

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 2545
Author(s):  
Marcin Hoffmann ◽  
Krzysztof Żarkiewicz ◽  
Adam Zieliński ◽  
Szymon Skibicki ◽  
Łukasz Marchewka
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Shallow Foundation ◽  
Soil Reinforcement ◽  
3D Printer ◽  
Permanent Formwork ◽  
3D Printers ◽  
New Feature ◽  
The Cost

Foundation piles that are made by concrete 3D printers constitute a new alternative way of founding buildings constructed using incremental technology. We are currently observing very rapid development of incremental technology for the construction industry. The systems that are used for 3D printing with the application of construction materials make it possible to form permanent formwork for strip foundations, construct load-bearing walls and partition walls, and prefabricate elements, such as stairs, lintels, and ceilings. 3D printing systems do not offer soil reinforcement by making piles. The paper presents the possibility of making concrete foundation piles in laboratory conditions using a concrete 3D printer. The paper shows the tools and procedure for pile pumping. An experiment for measuring pile bearing capacity is described and an example of a pile deployment model under a foundation is described. The results of the tests and analytical calculations have shown that the displacement piles demonstrate less settlement when compared to the analysed shallow foundation. The authors indicate that it is possible to replace the shallow foundation with a series of piles combined with a printed wall without locally widening it. This type of foundation can be used for the foundation of low-rise buildings, such as detached houses. Estimated calculations have shown that the possibility of making foundation piles by a 3D printer will reduce the cost of making foundations by shortening the time of execution of works and reducing the consumption of construction materials.

A Study of Life Cycle Costing in the Perspectives of Research and Commercial Applications in the 21st Century

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wai M. Cheung ◽  
Linda B. Newnes ◽  
Antony R. Mileham ◽  
Robert Marsh ◽  
John D. Lanham
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Cost Estimation ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Life Cycle Costing ◽  
Electronic Products ◽  
Commercial Applications ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Traditional Approaches

This paper presents a review of research in the area of life cycle costing and offers a critique of current commercial cost estimation systems. The focus of the review is on relevant academic research on life cycle cost from 2000 onwards. In addition to this a comparison of the current cost estimation systems is presented. Using the review findings and industrial investigations as a base, a set of mathematical representations for design and manufacturing costs and the introduction of the critical factors is proposed. These are considered in terms of the operational, maintenance and disposal costs to create a method for ascertaining the life cycle cost estimate for complex products. This is presented using as an exemplar, research currently being undertaken in the area of low volume and long life electronic products in the UK defence sector. The benefit of the method proposed is that it aims to avoid the inflexibility of traditional approaches which usually require historical and legacy data to support the cost estimation processes.

Life as It Could Be

2020 ◽  
pp. 101-114
Author(s):  
Luis Campos
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Molecular Biology ◽  
The Future ◽  
Forms Of Life ◽  
Life On Earth ◽  
The Universe

This chapter explores the intersection between two related fields: synthetic biology and astrobiology. Pushing the engineering of life past traditional limits in molecular biology and expanding the envelope of life to forms never before extant, synthetic biologists are now beginning to design experimental ways of getting at what astrobiologists have long suspected: that the life known here on Earth is but a subset of vast combinatorial possibilities in the universe. The resonances between the future engineered possibilities of this world and speculations about possible biologies on habitable others are not merely happenstance. Indeed, there is a curious and compelling deeper history interlinking scientific speculation about new forms of life elsewhere in the universe with visions for the human-directed engineering of new forms of life on Earth. For decades, the astrobiological and the synthetic biological have mutually inspired each other and overlapped in powerful genealogical ways.

scholarly journals Economic justification of the choice of the thermal protection of buildings

2018 ◽  
Vol 196 ◽  
pp. 04078
Author(s):  
Elena Malyavina ◽  
Anastasya Frolova
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Heat Transfer Coefficient ◽  
Transfer Coefficient ◽  
Specific Heat ◽  
Thermal Protection ◽  
Transfer Resistance ◽  
Cooling Systems ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Heat Protection ◽  
The Cost

A large number of factors influence the economically feasible heat transfer resistance of the building enclosing structures. First of all, it is the cost of insulation and heat for the building heating in the cold season. As shown by studies, it is not enough for air-conditioned buildings. The result depends on the mode of the building operation in time and the heat load on the heating and cooling systems. Therefore, in addition to these significant factors of economic feasibility of the thermal protection level, there are the cost of electricity for the production of cold for cooling the building, the cost of the building heating and cooling systems and the cost of connection to power supply networks. The got result is important to convey to the professional community in a clear and compact form. In the present work the buildings of administrative and office purpose are considered, the working day of which lasts from 9-00 to 18-00 hours with different specific heat supply from 0 to 80 W/m2 on the estimated area during working hours. Generalization of the research results is made on the basis of specific heat protection characteristics of the building, which is a product of the overall heat transfer coefficient of the building and the compactness coefficient. The total heat transfer coefficient of the building characterizes the heat losses and the heat inflows to the building through the enclosing structures, and the compactness coefficient can serve as an indicator of the surface area of the building, which is covered with insulation. For these buildings provision has been made for identification of the areas of the total discounted cost combination for all of the above components and the specific heat protection characteristics of the building relating to the feasibility of the specified level of the thermal protection.

Cost and environmental impacts reduction through building compactness

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Parisi Kern ◽  
Renata Postay ◽  
Eduardo Reuter Schneck ◽  
Mauricio Mancio ◽  
Marco Aurélio Stumpf González ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Embodied Energy ◽  
Constructive Method ◽  
Emission Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Research Stage ◽  
Compactness Index

PurposeThe central motivation for this study was to examine alternatives against the apartment area reduction as a safe way to reduce construction costs, adopted by many construction companies. From the building economic compactness index concept, it was studied the cost and environmental impacts (material consumption, embodied energy – EE and CO2 emission).Design/methodology/approachThe research strategy takes advantage of a case study aiming to investigate the relation between design characteristics related to area (m²) and building economic compactness index (%) with cost (Research Stage 1) and with environmental impacts: (Research Stage 2). The study involved real data from social housing projects, chosen in terms in terms of very similar features like size, area and constructive method (constants), however, with dissimilar compactness (variable).FindingsThe lack of direct relation between area and cost signs the importance of including the cost of vertical plans considered in the economic compactness building. The higher the economic compactness index, the lower the cost, the lower the amount of material, EE and CO2 emission parameters. However, due to the wide range of EE and CO2 values available, the reduction in the amount of materials achieved by increasing building economic compactness index may not be reflected in EE and CO2 gains.Research limitations/implicationsAs the limitation of this study, it must be taken into account a limited number of case buildings and the fact that the analysis is dependent on the reliability and accuracy of the data provided by constructors and the available information of EE and CO2 emission. As well discussed in the literature, the consistent database is a great challenge for the construction sector.Originality/valueThere might be alternatives to higher areas with relatively low-cost increments since results from buildings with the same area present different cost estimative and suggest a strong relationship with the economic compactness index. The large variation of EE and CO2 emission data indicates that reductions obtained by compactness increase may be impaired if the construction materials are produced with high levels of EE and CO2 emission. Thus, there must be an integrated effort on the part of designers (design and material specification) and manufacturers (material production), since isolated solutions may not be enough.

Fire resistance of the vertical glass structures with thermal protection foil

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 395-407
Author(s):  
András Jakab ◽  
Viktor Hlavicka ◽  
Ágoston Restás ◽  
Eva Lubloy
Keyword(s):  
Fire Resistance ◽  
Fire Protection ◽  
Heat Load ◽  
Thermal Protection ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Glass Layer ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vertical Glass ◽  
Small Model ◽  
Designed Materials

Purpose During the building designing, it is very important to deal with the fire resistance of the structures. The designed materials for escape routes should be selected to ensure the usability of the structures until the time of escape. Planning affects the glass structures similarly, so these can also be partition walls and load bearing structures, although the latter is less applied on escape routes. The heat protection of the glasses can be improved with heat-protective foils, while fire protection is provided by gel intumescent material. Design/methodology/approach To research the topic of fire resistance, laboratory experiments were carried out on small-scaled glass elements with thermal protection foil at Budapest University of Technology and Economics at the Department of Construction Materials and Technologies. Findings Fire protection of small model specimens was tested with blowtorch fire and furnace heat load. During the experiments, six foils were tested. Single pane glass, double layered and triple glazed specimens were tested with blowtorch fire. Originality/value Fire protection of small model specimens was tested with blowtorch fire and furnace heat load. During the experiments, six foils were tested. Single pane glass, double layered and triple glazed specimens were tested with blowtorch fire. In case of heat-protected glazing, the foils on the “protected” side of the single pane glass do not have a fire protection effect based on blowtorch fire test. For double glassed specimens, the P35 foil has a perceptible effect, even for the requirements of the flame breakthrough (E, integrity), when the foil is placed on the inner side (position 3) of the second glass layer. The stratification of each triple glazed specimens was effective against blowtorch fire load (3 M, S4&P35), so (EI, integrity and isolation) it can meet the requirements of flame breakthrough and thermal insulation.

Accelerating uptake of household latrines in rural communities in the Volta region of Ghana

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard Keraita ◽  
Peter Kjær Mackie Jensen ◽  
Flemming Konradsen ◽  
Maxwell Akple ◽  
Thilde Rheinländer
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Improved Sanitation ◽  
Sanitation Promotion ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Low Coverage ◽  
Technological Options

This study was done in four rural communities in Ghana to assess uptake of household latrines. A total of 156 household interviews, 16 focus group discussions and 8 in-depth interviews with key informants were conducted. Study findings show that only 8.5% of households were using improved sanitation facilities with more than 75% of the households relying on open defecation and communal trench latrines. Knowledge of technological options was very limited and the cost for preferred latrines was unaffordable. Though health-related benefits motivated household latrine uptake, those related to personal security, privacy, social status and convenience were ranked higher. Sanitation uptake was constrained mainly by finances, poor sanitation promotion and general biophysical factors. High costs of latrine construction could be reduced by introducing cheaper technological options, using low-cost construction materials and labor contributions from households. Financing models like microcredit financing can also be explored and adapted for use in Ghana. We recommend the use of approaches aimed at behavior change while giving households a range of technological options such as community led total sanitation (CLTS). Hence, despite the low coverage of improved sanitation in rural Ghana, there exist real opportunities to accelerate sanitation uptake.

scholarly journals ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF DESIGN SOLUTIONS OF LIVESTOCK FARMS

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Babynets ◽  
◽  
Y. Tyutyunnik
Keyword(s):  
Economic Efficiency ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Payback Period ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Technical Equipment ◽  
Design Solutions ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Livestock Farms ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Cattle And Sheep

The purpose of the work - to conduct a study of economic efficiency developed in L. Pogorilyy UkrNDIPVT design solutions for family dairy and fattening farms of cattle and sheep farms of different sizes, adapted to EU requirements. Research methods. During the analytical research, an economic evaluation of the effectiveness of the developed design solutions of dairy and fattening farms of cattle, as well as sheep farms of different sizes was made. Investments in the creation of livestock facilities were determined by the following components: construction of farms, acquisition of machinery and technological equipment, the cost of purchasing livestock. The estimate for the construction and technical equipment of the farms included the costs of construction materials, machinery, equipment, construction and installation work. The calculated method was determined by the cost of funds per animal place and the output of gross output, taking into account the planned productivity. The need for land for the operation of farms was calculated according to the needs of animals in feed for the production of planned livestock products. Calculations of profitability of production and payback period for the creation of livestock facilities were carried out according to generally accepted methods of determining economic efficiency. Research results. According to the results of research on the economic efficiency of projects of livestock facilities, developed in L. Pogorilyy UkrNDIPVT and adapted to EU requirements, the following expected indicators were obtained. To create dairy farms for 10, 15 and 25 cows with young livestock, respectively: the need for total investments is 1535.89 thousand UAH, 2038.78 and 2964.20 thousand UAH; expenditures per animal - UAH 76 thousand, UAH 68 thousand and UAH 59 thousand; the need for land for the operation of farms - 16 hectares, 24 and 40 hectares; the level of profitability of farms, provided that the planned productivity is reached, will be 60, 64 and 61%; payback period -5.2; 4.4 and 4.0 years, respectively. In order to create family farms for fattening young cattle, respectively, by 25, 50, 100 heads: the need for total investment is 489.3 thousand UAH, 764.1 and 1253.0 thousand UAH; expenditures per animal - UAH 19.5 thousand, UAH 15.3 and 19.5 thousand; the need for land for the operation of farms - 10, 20 and 40 hectares; level of profitability - 40%; the payback period for the creation of such farms is 5, 4.5 and 4 years, respectively. To create family sheep farms for 25, 50, 100 heads of fattening and 100 heads of dairy sheep farms, respectively: the need for total investments is UAH 252.20 thousand, UAH 357.81 thousand, UAH 568.39 and 76.47 thousand; expenditures per animal - UAH 10.20 thousand, UAH 7.10 thousand, UAH 5.60 and 10.20 thousand; the need for land for the operation of farms - 3.1, 6.2, 12.3 and 13.8 hectares; level of profitability - 25%; payback period for the creation of farms - 5, 4,5, 4 and 4 years. Conclusions. Studies of the economic efficiency of livestock projects developed in L. Pogorily UkrNDIPVT and adapted to EU requirements, namely different sizes of family dairy and fattening farms of cattle and sheep farms testified to the high economic feasibility of their creation and use. Key words: sheep breeding, economic efficiency, capital investments, estimate, level of profitability, cattle breeding, livestock farms, payback period.

scholarly journals Brine-Induced Tribocorrosion Accelerates Wear on Stainless Steel: Implications for Mars Exploration

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Javier Martín‐Torres ◽  
María‐Paz Zorzano‐Mier ◽  
Erik Nyberg ◽  
Abhilash Vakkada-Ramachandran ◽  
Anshuman Bhardwaj
Keyword(s):  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Chemical Species ◽  
Support Surface ◽  
Martian Surface ◽  
Steel Material ◽  
Stainless Steel Material ◽  
Combined Action ◽  
Series Of Experiments ◽  
Robotic Missions ◽  
Human Exploration

Tribocorrosion is a degradation phenomenon of material surfaces subjected to the combined action of mechanical loading and corrosion attack caused by the environment. Although corrosive chemical species such as materials like chloride atoms, chlorides, and perchlorates have been detected on the Martian surface, there is a lack of studies of its impact on materials for landed spacecraft and structures that will support surface operations on Mars. Here, we present a series of experiments on the stainless-steel material of the ExoMars 2020 Rosalind Franklin rover wheels. We show how tribocorrosion induced by brines accelerates wear on the materials of the wheels. Our results do not compromise the nominal ExoMars mission but have implications for future long-term surface operations in support of future human exploration or extended robotic missions on Mars.

scholarly journals Thermally conductive cost of the heat-insulating materials

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-98
Author(s):  
Orest Voznyak ◽  
◽  
Yuriy Yurkevych ◽  
Iryna Sukholova ◽  
Oleksandr Dovbush ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Resistance ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Protection ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Maximum Effect ◽  
Insulating Materials ◽  
Insulating Material ◽  
Thermally Conductive ◽  
The Cost

The article presents the results of theoretical research to achieve the maximum effect in determination of the economically feasible level of buildings thermal protection. It must be optimal both thermally and economically, an indicator of which there are the costs. Graphical and analytical dependences are given. The research results substantiate the maximum effect when different thermal insulating materials are used. The aim is to increase the efficiency of energy saving measures, reduce their cost by optimizing the cost of thermal energy and insulating materials, determining the optimization criteria and justification for choice the optimal insulating material and its thickness, and determining the optimal thermal resistance, identifying ways to improve energy efficiency and substantiation of the calculation method. One of the most common thermal renovation measures, namely insulation of external walls, is considered. An economic assessment has been conducted, which is an important factor in a certain energy-saving proposition. The solution of the problem is presented, which includes two stages. The result of the first stage is the selection of the optimal heat-insulating material. The second stage is a substantiation of economically expedient thickness of the heatinsulating material. The obtained results make it possible to increase the efficiency of energy saving in thermal renovation of buildings taking into account both energy and economic aspects. In this paper the results of mathematical provement of such factor importance as the thermally conductive cost of the heat-insulating material at their thickness optimization are presented. Determining for the establishment of the normative thermal resistance in the future is the ratio of the cost of thermal energy to the thermal conductivity of the insulating material.

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