Welcome to the third issue of 2014. This issue presents 8 research papers covering a range of topics addressing sustainability in the fields of Design Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Automotive Engineering.
This issue begins with two papers looking at design. The first, by Gong, presents an initial concept for a new type of refrigerator that aims to use dramatically less energy than existing technologies. The second paper, by Mayyas et al. discusses a knowledge-based system to support design activity by providing a structured method for selection of sustainable materials.
The second part of the issue contains four papers discussing various aspects of construction and buildings. It begins with a paper by Koroneos et al. that presents a case study of energy savings obtained through the selection of appropriate building materials during refurbishment of a building in Slovenia. This is followed by a study from Temga et al. that aims to reduce deforestation in sub-Saharan Africa through improved production of bricks using crude earth. We continue the topic with a paper from Pacheco-Torgal & Labrincha that presents an overview of the current knowledge, and future potential, for the use of biotechnologies and bioinspired materials in the construction industry. This part concludes with a paper from Mohammadi Mogharreb et al. that assesses the performance of earth-to-air heat exchanger systems when used for cooling and heating of greenhouses.
The final part of the issue closes with two papers on biodiesel engines from Yaliwal et al. The first investigates the feasibility of alternative and renewable fuels derived from biomass feedstock and explores their effect on the performance, combustion and emission characteristics of a single-cylinder, four-stroke, direct injection stationary diesel engine, while the second paper presents a study of methods for production of biofuels and their impact on the performance of dual fuel engines.