Design for sustainability

Besides the rising attention dedicated to environmental matters, there is the need to consider and make available for companies structured procedures that can guide managers and designers in the implementation of the right steps toward sustainability, considering their scope and context. The present paper presents a structured procedure able to guide managers and designers in the selection and implementation of the most effective analysis and capitalization tools and methods. Via the implementation in a company that produces armchairs, the method was revealed to be successful, also in an entity that approaches the environmental analysis topic for the first time. The enterprise was able to identify the best type of environmental assessment and the most accurate data collection strategy. The environmental analysis outlined the main product criticalities, both related to the employed materials and the management of armchairs at their End of Life (i.e. impact of polyurethane, disassemblability of wooden structure). Starting from the obtained results, design guidelines for designers and architects were defined and further detailed Life Cycle Assessments were planned.

Keywords: Decision-making tool , Eco-design , Environmental sustainability , LCA

Intersecting value chains for the sake of sustainability is a very challenging target; however, eco-design can enable it. The high performing products required by the customers have boost the research, development and employment of composite materials, that often cannot be handled at their End of Life. The literature lacks hints and methodologies that support this. The paper presents a methodology whose core is the redesign of components, so that their material can be substituted with scraps deriving from other products. It aims to a symbiosis between enterprises that are active on different sectors; it is applicable to composites, as shown in the case study and offers an alternative to the cannibalization and low demand for remanufactured products because, unlike previous works, it investigates how materials can be employed in different products. The case study quantitatively evaluates the environmental benefits derived from the symbiosis of two companies, active in different sectors. Process scraps and product are analyzed; a re-design follows; the scraps are remanufactured and used as new material. The results highlight the need for a strong cooperation between companies, to take advantage of value hidden in their products. Future studies should focus on the economic impacts, considering not only the technical sphere, but also including the benefits echoing on company's images.

Keywords: Circular economy , Composite materials , Design for de-manufacturing , Design for disassembly , Industrial symbiosis

[No abstract available]

The dynamic behavior of a Powered Two-Wheeler (PTW) is much more complicated than that of a car, which is due to the strong coupling between the longitudinal and lateral dynamics produced by the large roll angles. This makes the analysis of the dynamics, and therefore the design and synthesis of the controller, particularly complex and difficult. In relation to assistance in dangerous situations, several recent manuscripts have suggested devices with limitations of cornering velocity by proposing restrictive models. However, these models can lead to repulsion by the users of PTW vehicles, significantly limiting vehicle performance. In the present work, the authors developed an Advanced Rider-cornering Assistance System (ARAS) based on the skills learned by riders running across curvilinear trajectories using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Neural Network (NN) techniques. New algorithms that allow the value of velocity to be estimated by prediction accuracy of up to 99.06% were developed using the K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) Machine Learning (ML) technique.

Keywords: advanced rider assistance systems , k-nearest neighbor , machine learning , maximum cornering velocity , powered two-wheeler dynamic behavior

Due to ever-increasing technological acceleration leading to rapid changes in society and its needs, just as today's habits and needs turn out to be completely different from those of only a few years ago, likewise it is reasonable to assume that the same trend will continue in its growth path, making today's solutions rapidly obsolete as time passes and technological innovations follow. This study aims to investigate possible solutions in search of a futuristic and breakthrough response to what is present today. The idea concerns the design of a new type of means of transportation that can best interface with what today are the various criticalities given by vehicular traffic mainly urban but also suburban, going to solve by generating new opportunities from previous problems. This system will be able to go alongside and gradually replace a substantial portion of the current means of transport going to conceptually redefine some elements taken for granted today. In this regard, the application of the IDeS (Industrial Design Structure) methodology has been found to be of great use, which, thanks to the scientific and repeatable methods contained within, has made it possible to arrive at a very clear visualization of the problem, a precise definition, and a level of innovation that is fully satisfactory with respect to the contemporary scenario, while always keeping an eye on feasibility while taking into account the conceptual and therefore deliberately very driven nature of the solution being designed.

Keywords: Extra-urban mobility , Industrial design structure (IDeS) , Maglev , Quality function deployment (QFD) , Stylistic design engineering (SDE) , Sustainable design , Sustainable mobility

Recent analysis has shown deteriorating traffic conditions in urban areas, caused by an increase in the motorization rate, which has risen to 66.6 vehicles per 100 inhabitants. As a result of the pandemic, individuality has grown, hence private vehicles are becoming more prevalent whilst public transport and sharing are negatively affected. Therefore, European policies have encouraged and innovated more sustainable mobility. Thus, the developed project aims to achieve more efficient mobility and more sustainable environments, towards social and economic well-being. The proposed means of transport aims to appeal to an audience with a reduced ability to drive a car as intended. The IDeS methodology was applied to develop a self-driving, urban micro mobility vehicle, aimed to give enough room and equipment for people with moving disabilities. The innovation of the IDeS method is state-of-the-art and ought to satisfy current product needs, which leads to an innovative micromobility vehicle and portrays a design for a car that will help to close the gaps in urban mobility. These design processes, which are distinguished by the fusion of several industrial techniques, enabled the development of a plan that addresses current mobility issues for disabled people and opens to new mobility prospects.

Keywords: design for all , industrial design structure (IDeS) , quality function deployment (QFD) , sharing mobility , stylistic design engineering (SDE)

It can be hard for enterprises to make the first move towards circular business models; technologies, information and design need to be linked and dynamic. The present paper proposes a methodology that guides enterprises in integrating environmental and economic aspects during the optimization of products' end-of-life. It overcomes the current literature limits because it focuses on multiple lifecycle stages and is not limited to end-of-life strategies; secondly, it encompasses both the economic and environmental sustainability perspectives. It expects its implementation to be supported by commercial solutions that enable the quantification of environmental and economic indices, such as degradation index, target price and target cost. The methodology was applied to an industrial case study (an electrospindle) enabling its validation and a deep reflection on the potential consequences of the analyzed scenario throughout the value chain and business departments. The results of the case study show that not all the scenarios are convenient; only the cases that expect components of the pneumatic cylinder group and shaft kit to be re-manufactured are environmentally and economically convenient. The first scenario, which is about disassembling the product to optimize the recycling flow, is currently not feasible from the economic perspective; however, the acquisition of a higher number of used electrospindles could increase its economic convenience, as the disassembly phase may be optimized. De-manufacturing strategies could extend the useful lifecycle of products and introduce additional revenue streams, with intangible effects: information about the use phase, marketing leverage, end-of-life treatment, policies forecasting and strengthened customer relationships. However, it may bring high risks as well, such as cannibalization and investments. For a more aware prioritization of to-be scenarios, future works may exploit more in detail the disassembly time quantification; additionally, the analysis of the main failure modes and events may stand aside from the economic and environmental as-is analysis. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Keywords: Disassembly , Eco-design , Life cycle assessment , Life cycle costing , Re-manufacturing

Automotive and tire markets are constantly increasing, with a huge quantity of end of life tires (ELT) that have to be managed each year to mitigate potential environmental issues. Thanks to the adoption of specific legislation about the waste management, most of the materials deriving from ELT are properly recovered, but there is still a room for improvement in particular for what regard the ELT fibers that are currently dismantled in landfills or incinerated. In this context, the present study aims to propose an innovative scenario for the management of ELT fibers, focused on the reuse of such material for the production of polypropylene (PP)-based compounds. The final objective is to validate this idea by verifying the technical feasibility, as well as to understand if and to what extent reuse of ELT fibers in plastic compounds leads to environmental benefits. From the technical point of view the proposed PP-based compound reinforced with 45% ELT fibers in weight resulted to have acceptable properties in terms of mechanical resistance and extrudability and good performance in terms of impact resistance that suggests the applicability in several applications as pallets manufacturing. From the environmental point of view, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study at midpoint level suggests that the proposed scenario can be considered an interesting option against the other currently implemented EoL strategies, even if for some impact categories it does not lead to environmental benefits. However, by jointly considering potential damages on human health, ecosystems and resource depletion at endpoint level, the proposed reuse scenario can be univocally considered the most environmentally sustainable strategy for ELT fibers management.

Keywords: End of life tires

Optimizing and predicting the energy consumption of industrial manufacturing can increase its cost efficiency. The interaction of different aspects and components is necessary. An overarching framework is currently still missing, and establishing such is the central research approach in this paper. This paper provides an overview of the current demands on the manufacturing industry from the perspective of digitalization and sustainability. On the basis of the developed fundamentals and parameters, a superordinate framework is proposed that allows the modelling and simulation of energy-specific properties on several product and process levels. A detailed description of the individual methods concludes this work and demonstrates their application potential in an industrial context. As a result, this integrated conceptual framework offers the possibility of optimizing the production system, in relation to different energy flexibility criteria.

Keywords: digital transformation , digital twin , energy management , life cycle assessment , sustainability

Reduction of global bee populations is one of the relevant topics in the list of environmental issues defined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Agenda. Virtual Reality technologies can play a strategic role in raising awareness and education for sustainability by allowing users to visualize, demonstrate and emphasize information, making it more accessible. Virtual Reality can also elicit emotional involvement, which is important for influencing user behavior. The authors have designed and developed an educational Virtual Reality application called Colonies, which allows users to understand the issues related to the bee problem and empathize with bee colonies. The experience also offers suggestions for more sustainable behaviors.

Keywords: Behavioral research , Sustainable development

The largest contribution of electricity production comes from conventional sources including coal and oil that pollute the environment. Renewable energy sources, including solar energy, wind energy and energy storage in batteries, are expected to play a progressively central role in meeting future energy needs in all sectors, largely responding to the increasing demand for energy. In particular, the use of solar energy will be considered as the main solution to global climate change and fossil fuel emissions. Although today's photovoltaic panels have an average lifespan of 25 years, their disposal is a cause for concern when photovoltaic technology is evaluated from the perspective of comprehensive life cycle analysis and End-of-Life management (EoL). We therefore need some innovative solutions that can reduce emissions of pollutants as a result of the recycling of solar panels that no longer work. This manuscript reports some of the most current efficient and effective photovoltaic (PV) panel recycling solutions and the foreseeable developments for such recycling.

Keywords: EcoDesign , End-of-life management , Photovoltaic panels , Renewable resources , Sustainability

Design for Disassembly (DfD) and Augmented Reality (AR) have become promising approaches to improve sustainability, by providing efficient delivery and learning assets. This study combines DfD and AR to deliver a method that helps to streamline maintenance processes and operator training. It focuses on a common part in the process industry that requires frequent maintenance and repair. DfD was applied to the pump's design to ease disassembly and reduce material waste, energy consumption, and maintenance time. AR was used to provide an interactive guide to improve the operator understanding of its internal parts and assembly/disassembly procedures. The resulting DfD-AR led to a reduction in maintenance time and shows potential to deliver better training. This highlights the potential of DfD and AR to enhance sustainability, learning, and productivity. The resulting disassembly sequence was taken to an AR simulation, helping process designers to better understand the procedure and further optimize the solution with other constraints.

Keywords: Augmented reality (AR) , design for disassembly (DfD) , optimization , recycling

Sustainable production and consumption consist of using goods and services that respond to basic needs and bring a better quality of life without jeopardizing the needs of future generations. Over the last decades, this has become a topic of increasing importance for companies and consumers. Consequently, from one side methods and tools to assess and quantitatively measure the environmental burden of products and processes arose; from the other side, more and more consumers have raised their sensitivity concerning sustainability. However, consumer perceptions and objective data need to be aligned. The present paper addresses the topic of the discrepancy between the environmental sustainability of product lifecycles as perceived by consumers and actual results obtained with well-known and accepted methods and tools. The paper quantifies through Life Cycle Assessment the environmental burdens of three products for the textiles/apparel sector, particularly swimming sport: a pair of goggles, a pair of swimming pool slippers and a swimsuit. Those were subsequently compared with 102 responses to a questionnaire about environmental sustainability. The comparison was made between the qualitative expectation of the customers and the results of the Life Cycle Assessment for the Climate Change impact category, due to the higher awareness and sensitivity of the customers for this indicator, than others. Respondents belong to three distinguished groups: scholars, employees and students. According to the analysis of obtained results and discrepancies, three main recommendations are outlined by the authors to improve the environmental sustainability of apparel products: the need to promote the development of software tools and databases to support the integration of sustainability into products design; training on products sustainability in the academic world must be encouraged in order to provide future designers/product managers with the tools needed to cope with actual challenges; and consumers should be adequately informed. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].

Keywords: Consumer awareness , LCA , Product Sustainability , Questionnaire survey , Swimming product

Prospective life cycle assessment (LCA) was introduced with the goal to evaluate the environmental sustainability of eco-design solutions (i.e., ideas, prototypes, immature products, emerging technologies) prospectively rather than existing products, at the present time, as in traditional LCA. The main difference lies in the inventory, which is foreground and is based solely on the extraction of data from prospective documents, including patents, although this task, is tricky and can make the final result uncertain. This study proposes a systematic method to collect all the flows about a specific function of the product lifecycle from patent literature for building the foreground inventory of prospective LCA, ensuring comparability, data quality and scale-up. This was done by studying the intersections between patent analysis techniques and LCA requirements for reducing the uncertainty, prescribed by ISO 14040, ISO 14044, Pedigree Matrix and Data Quality Indicators for Life Cycle Inventory Data. The application of the proposed method to a case study related to the production of titanium powders using an innovative process revealed its main advantages in collecting patents and extracting data. Patent search recall and precision are increased. Patents are filtered by seeking a trade-off to ensure time consistency and avoid anomalous fluctuations in the data resulting from predatory patenting strategies. Data reliability and significance are controlled. Results can be expressed without levelling them around the average value, but adding time evolution and forecasting considerations. For example, the global warming potential (GWP) of the innovative process is 1.5 % lower than the GWP of the current process, considering the average patent data of the last 10 years. In addition, this value showed a 1 % increase for each year.

Keywords: Eco-design , Patents , Prospective LCA

The recovery of materials and components from end-of-life (EoL) ships necessitates the comprehensive demolition of vessels and the implementation of reuse processes to achieve the “circularity” of raw materials, which has potential benefits for economic and environmental sustainability. The European Union's (EU) legislative policy, as reflected in the Ship Recycling Regulation, has been shifting towards the establishment of green markets for ship dismantling. Various literature reviews have focused on investigating EoL management and demolition activities for ships, as they play a crucial role in promoting sustainability in the ship value chain. This research aims to enhance the current state of knowledge by linking ship recycling and life cycle management activities with circular economy models. The goal is also to introduce a conceptual framework for the effective recirculation of components and raw materials. Scientific publications have been collected, reviewed, and categorized into strategic clusters to identify current and future challenges, to establish a path for potential developments in a circular economy model for ships, and to suggest future research directions that would support the implementation of a circular economy system for ship eco-design, life cycle management, and recycling. Findings provide valuable insights, particularly regarding the recognition of environmental benefits, business opportunities, and the opening of green markets in the context of ship recycling in the EU.

Keywords: circular economy , circular model for ships , ship recycling , systematic literature review

BACKGROUND: Healthcare sector has a significant impact on the environment and people well-being. Therefore, it is interesting to understand how healthcare contributes to sustainable development. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to perform a literature review on the methodologies applied to quantify environmental impact in healthcare with an attention to telemedicine activities. METHODS: Scopus and PubMed databases were investigated between 2018 and 2022. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) frameworks was followed for article selection. RESULTS: From initial 183 articles, 50 full-studies were included. Life-cycle assessment method proved to be a standard for assessing the impact of devices used in clinical practice. Indeed, for the investigation of care activities a unique methodology was not defined. The assessment of telemedicine is mainly based on avoided travels, and a standard methodology is still missing. CONCLUSIONS: To move toward a sustainable development other aspects of sustainability should be investigated.

Keywords: Environmental Impacts , Healthcare , Sustainable Development , Telemedicine

An area of interest in orthopaedics is the development of efficient customized neck orthoses, considered that pathologies which affect the neck area are widespread. Advanced acquisition and modelling approaches combined with Additive Manufacturing (AM) can potentially provide customized orthoses with improved performance and complexity. However, in the design of these devices, besides functional and structural requirements, benefit and comfort of the patient should be a main concern, in particular, at the early stage of design during the acquisition of the body's part, and while using the printed orthosis. In this paper, a scanning system with three sensors was developed which allows a fast, about 5 s, and accurate acquisition of the neck area with minimum discomfort for the patient. A neck orthosis with a ventilation pattern obtained by Topology Optimization (TO), lightened by about 35%, was also established. In fact, a main role for comfort is played by the ventilation pattern which contributes both to lightness and breathability. Its structural and comfort performance was evaluated in comparison with an orthosis with a ventilation pattern configured by Voronoi cells. Structural assessment was carried out by means of finite element analysis under main loading conditions. An evaluation of neck temperatures in relation to wearing 3D printed prototypes, manufactured with Hemp Bio-Plastic® filament, was finally conducted by means of a thermal imaging camera. TO orthosis prototype showed a better performance regarding thermal comfort, with a maximum increase of neck temperature less than 1 °C, which makes the proposed configuration very promising for user's comfort.

Keywords: Additive manufacturing , CAD , Orthosis modelling , Reverse engineering , Thermal comfort , Topology optimization

The paper discusses the energetic efficiency of a SCARA-like manipulator with elastic balancing of the gravity force. The mechanical architecture and the main kinematics aspects of the robot are briefly recalled. Multibody simulations are performed to assess the improvement of energy efficiency which can be obtained by means of the elastic balancing. Then further tests are carried out comparing the energy efficiency of two different Cartesian position control schemes: a classical integer-order KD controller and a fractional-order KDHD controller. Simulation results show that the differences are minimal.

Keywords: Energy efficiency , SCARA robot , SDG9 , Static Balancing

In this chapter, three examples are given of how Augmented Reality (AR) technologies can be used to promote sustainability. The initial case study involves an application that illustrates how the environment affects biochemical processes. The second case study features sustainable handmade toys that educate children on electronic circuits. The third one supports children in understanding the entire lifespan of a plant and learning its scientific microscopic processes.

Keywords: Augmented reality , Toys

Nowadays, household appliance manufacturers shall adapt their engineering methods and tools to meet environmental concerns. Despite the environmental assessment of products and services is usually carried out based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) standardized approach (e.g., ISO14040/14044), numerous assumptions are up to practitioners' discretion, such as functional unit, system boundaries, or allocation method. These choices may lead to a results discrepancy between equivalent studies, even if similar products are considered. The goal of this work is to present a method for determining appropriate metrics (indices) that enable designers to compare the findings of LCA analysis carried out in the context of home appliances. The indices refer to the cooker hoods family and they were developed through a systematic literature review. LCA studies carried out from 2006 to 2022 were the basis for the identification of design features and parameters that allow the normalization of results retrieved in different studies. These features served as the basis for the indices formulation, enabling an accurate comparison of appliances from the same family. The application of these indices, according to the results, makes LCA evaluations of cooker hood models with different performances and design factors comparable. Finally, the same approach can be adopted to create a framework and a useful guide to conduct future LCA studies for other household appliance families with the aim to provide a normalization basis to compare product design alternatives.

Keywords: cooker hoods , design index , Household appliances , LCA , normalization