Construction of complex bacteriogenic protocells from living material assembly
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Digital technologies for construction sustainability: Status quo, challenges, and future prospects
The nexus between digital technologies (DTs) and sustainability in the built environment has attracted increasing research interest in recent years, yet understanding DT utilization and its impact on construction processes remains fragmented. To address this gap, this study conducts a systematic review of the construction sustainability literature to analyze and synthesize research findings on the application of DTs at various stages of the construction lifecycle. We undertake an in-depth content analysis of 72 articles, with findings revealing that prominent DTs for construction sustainability include building information modeling, the Internet of Things, big data, and artificial intelligence. We also identify that the application of DTs for sustainability across the construction lifecycle is clustered in four areas: namely (1) integration and collaboration; (2) optimization, simulation, and decision-making; (3) tracking, monitoring, and control; and (4) training. Based on existing knowledge gaps, future research opportunities are identified, including the development of integrated and interoperable systems, long-term performance and resilience, and advanced simulation and modeling techniques. This study contributes to the literature on construction digitalization by offering a complete overview of research investigations in relation to construction sustainability and identifying research crucial to advancing a DT-enabled sustainable built environment.
D5 digital circular workflow: five digital steps towards matchmaking for material reuse in construction
The intersection of digital transformation and circular construction practices presents significant potential to mitigate environmental impacts through optimised material reuse. We propose a five-step (D5) digital circular workflow that integrates these digital innovations towards reuse, validated through real-world case studies. We assessed a variety of digital tools for enhancing the reuse of construction materials, including digital product passports, material classification assisted by artificial intelligence (AI), reality capture, computational design, design inspired by generative AI, digital fabrication techniques, extended reality, and blockchain technology. Using action research through a multiple case study approach, we disassembled several buildings that were set for demolition and subsequently designed and executed construction projects using the salvaged materials. Our findings indicate that digital transformation for detection, disassembly, distribution, design, and finally deployment significantly support the application of circular economy principles. We demonstrate the potential of the proposed workflow for industry implementation and scalability.
Intracellular assembly of supramolecular peptide nanostructures controlled by visible light
The complex dynamics of synthetic supramolecular systems in living cellular environments impede the correlation between the transient hierarchical species and their biological functions. Achieving this correlation demands a breakthrough that combines the precise control of supramolecular events at discrete time points via synthetic chemistry with their real-time visualization in native cells. In the present study, we reported two peptide sequences that undergo visible light-induced molecular and supramolecular transformations to form various assembly species in cells. In contrast to endogenous stimulus-responsive assembly, the proposed photochemistry enables full control over the photolysis reaction where the monomer generation and local concentration regulate the subsequent assembly kinetics. Phasor-fluorescence lifetime imaging traced the formation of various assembly states in cells associated with monomer activation and consumption, whereas correlative light-electron microscopy revealed the intracellular nanofibres formed. The temporally resolved assembly process shows that the emergence of cytotoxicity correlates with the accumulation of oligomers beyond the cellular efflux threshold.
Multi-material vat photopolymerization 3D printing: a review of mechanisms and applications
Vat photopolymerization (VPP) is originally considered a single-material process due to cumbersome and time-consuming material switching. Multi-material VPP has been continuously explored with significant switching time reductions realized in recent years, enabling rapid, functional device printing. In addition, VPP hybridization has been explored, enabling printed objects comprising of diverse UV-curable and functional materials. Herein, the authors review the current state of multi-material VPP and VPP hybridization and the remaining challenges.
Optimizing green and gray infrastructure planning for sustainable urban development
The anticipated increase in urban population of 2.5 billion people by 2050 poses significant environmental challenges. While the various environmental impacts of urbanisation have been studied individually, integrated approaches are rare. This study introduces a spatially explicit model to assess urbanization’s effects on ecosystem services (green infrastructure availability, cooling, stormwater retention) and the environmental impact of building construction (material demand, greenhouse gas emissions, land use). Applied to the Netherlands from 2018 to 2050, our results show that integrating green infrastructure development with building construction could increase green areas by up to 5% and stabilize or increase ecosystem service provisioning. Dense building construction with green infrastructure development is generally more beneficial across the Netherlands, reducing resource use and enhancing ecosystem services. Conversely, sparse construction with green infrastructure is more advantageous for newly built areas. These findings offer insights into the environmental consequences of urbanization, guiding sustainable urban planning practices.
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