<p> Inclement challenges of a changing climate and humanity's desire to explore extraterrestrial environments both necessitate efficient methods to obtain freshwater. To accommodate next generation water technology, there is a need for understanding and defining the energy efficiency for unconventional water sources over a broad range of environments. Exergy analysis provides a common description for efficiency that may be used to evaluate technologies and water sources for energy feasibility. This work uses robust thermodynamic theory coupled with atmospheric and planetary data to define water capture efficiency, explore its variation across climate conditions, and identify technological niches and development needs.  </p> <p><br></p> <p> We find that desalinating saline liquid brines, even when highly saline, could be the most energetically favorable option for obtaining water outside of Earth. The energy required to access water vapor may be four to ten times higher than accessing ice deposits, however it offers the capacity for decentralized systems. Considering atmospheric water vapor harvesting on Earth, we find that the thermodynamic minimum is anywhere from 0x (RH≥ 100%) to upwards of 250x (RH<10\%) the minimum energy requirement of seawater desalination. Sorbents, modelled as metal organic frameworks (MOFs), have a particular niche in arid and semi-arid regions (20-30%). Membrane-systems are best at low relative humidity and the region of applicability is strongly affected by the vacuum pumping efficiency. Dew harvesting is best at higher humidity and fog harvesting is optimal when super-saturated conditions exist. Component (e.g., pump, chiller, etc.) inefficiencies are the largest barrier in increasing process-level efficiency and strongly impact the regions optimal technology deployment. The analysis elucidates a fundamental basis for comparing water systems energy efficiency for outer space applications and provides the first thermodynamics-based comparison of classes of atmospheric water harvesting technologies on Earth.</p>

En stor del av alla bostäder som byggdes mellan 1965-1974 brukar betecknas miljonprogrammet. Efter 40-50 års förbrukning har byggnaderna uppnått sin tekniska livslängd och är därför i behov av renovering. Detta samtidigt som bostadsbristen återstår och energikraven från myndigheter blir allt strängare i syfte att reducera bostadssektorns energianvändning samt för att uppnå ett hållbart samhälle.  Studien är baserad på ett flerbostadshus, Barytongatan 4 som är belägen i Göteborg och som är en del av projektet Kaverös etapp II. I denna studie undersöks energibesparingsåtgärder i samband med våningspåbyggnad och de regelverk som gäller vid om- och tillbyggnad enligt BBR och PBL. I simuleringsprogrammet IDA ICE kunde olika energibesparingsåtgärder studeras. Resultatet från varje enskild åtgärd och en sammansättning av dessa jämfördes därefter med den befintliga byggnadens energideklaration och statisk. Studien är koncentrerad till energisimuleringar och behandlar inga ekonomiska beräkningar. Rapporten fastställer att en våningspåbyggnad, som ökar byggnadsvolymen, är en tillbyggnad samt att allt för stora åtgärder i en befintlig byggnad klassas som en ombyggnad enligt BBR och PBL. Studien berör energibesparingsåtgärder gällande FX-system, FTX-system, balkonginglasning och solpaneler på tak. Resultatet visar att med endast få ingrepp i referenshuset, i enlighet med regelverken, kunde energianvändningen reduceras från 147 kWh/m² till 104,8 kWh/m², vilket motsvarar 28,8 procent. / A majority of houses that were built during the years 1965-1974 is usually referred to as the million program. After 40-50 years of use, the buildings have reached their technical life expectancy and need to be renovated. At the same time, the lack of housing shortage continues to exist while energy requirements from the government are becoming increasingly strict. The government maintains and run a strict policy to reduce the energy consumption of the housing sector in hope of achieving a more sustainable society. The study is based on a multi-family house located in Kaverös, Gothenburg at Barytongatan 4, which is part of the Kaverös Stage II project. In this study, energy conservation measures are investigated in connection with story extension and the applicable regulations when it comes to rebuilding and upgrading in accordance with BBR and PBL. Using the IDA ICE simulation program, different energy conservation measures could be studied. The result of each individual energy conservation measure, and a combination of these were then compared with the existing building's energy declaration and static. This study is limited to energy calculation and no financial calculations are presented The result shows that only a few interventions in the reference housing, according to the regulations BBR and PBL, can affect the energy consumption and reduce it from 147 kWh/m² to 104.8 kWh/m², which corresponds to 28.8 percent.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do uso de volumosos com valor nutricional distinto sobre as exigências e a eficiência de uso da energia e da proteína por ovinos ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês, em crescimento. Para isso, 84 cordeiros, machos não castrados, foram desmamados aos 56 dias de idade (PV inicial = 18,0 ± 3,3 kg) e confinados em baias individuais, sendo distribuídos em dois grupos: VBVN cordeiros alimentados com dieta composta por volumoso de baixo valor nutricional (bagaço de cana in natura); e VAVN cordeiros alimentados com dieta composta por volumoso de alto valor nutricional (feno de coastcross). Destes, sete animais de cada grupo foram aleatoriamente selecionados e abatidos após um período de adaptação de 10 dias (animais referência). Dentre os remanescentes, 21 animais de cada grupo foram alimentados ad libitum e abatidos aos 25, 35 ou 45 kg de peso vivo (sete animais por grupo) sendo, os 28 demais animais, submetidos a dois níveis de restrição alimentar, de forma a obterem-se diferentes níveis de consumo de energia metabolizável (EM): 70 e 50% do consumo ad libitum. Foram determinadas as concentrações e as retenções corporais de gordura, nitrogênio e energia. Adicionalmente, seis animais ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês (PV médio = 52,3 ± 6,9 kg), machos não castrados canulados no rúmen, foram mantidos em gaiolas de estudo de metabolismo para avaliação da digestibilidade das dietas e estimativa das concentrações dietéticas de EM e do consumo de proteína metabolizável. A degradabilidade das dietas experimentais foi avaliada in vitro. O consumo de matéria seca e o ganho de peso médio diário foram mais elevados para os animais alimentados com a dieta contendo feno de coastcross. Por outro lado, melhor eficiência alimentar foi observada para aqueles alimentados com a dieta contendo bagaço de cana. Não houve efeito do nível de consumo sobre o teor de energia metabolizável da dieta, mas este foi maior na dieta contendo bagaço de cana in natura (3,18 vs 2,94). Os animais recebendo a dieta contendo bagaço de cana apresentaram maiores concentrações corporais de gordura e energia, o que foi reflexo de um maior acúmulo de gordura visceral. O uso de volumosos de baixo valor nutricional, em dietas com alta concentração energética, não resulta em incremento das exigências energéticas de mantença. No entanto, a elevação do teor de concentrado da ração resulta em aumento da eficiência de uso da energia metabolizável para ganho de peso, o que está diretamente associado à maior retenção de gordura visceral. Sob o ponto de vista da produção de carne, todavia, esta maior eficiência nutricional deve ser vista com cautela, uma vez que está relacionada à deposição de tecidos não destinados ao consumo humano. As exigências protéicas para ganho de peso de cordeiros ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês podem ser acuradamente preditas pelas equações do AFRC (1993). Nenhum dos sistemas nutricionais atuais, contudo, é capaz de predizer as exigências energéticas destes animais entre os 15 e 45 kg de peso corporal. / The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of using roughages with different nutritive value on requirements and efficiency of energy and protein use of growing ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês sheep. For this purpose, eighty four non-castrated male lambs were weaned at 56 days of age (initial BW = 18.0 ± 3.3 kg) and penned in individual stalls, being divided into two groups: VBVN - lambs fed diet containing roughage with low nutritive value (sugarcane bagasse in natura); and VAVN - lambs fed diet containing roughage with high nutritive value (coastcross hay). From these lambs, seven animals from each group were randomly selected and slaughtered after a 10-day adaptation period (reference animals). Twenty one animals in each group were then fed ad libitum and slaughtered at 25, 35, or 45 kg of live weight (seven animals per group), and the remaining 28 animals were submitted to one of two levels of feed restriction: either 70 or 50% of the ad libitum intake. Concentrations and retentions of body fat, nitrogen, and energy were determined. Additionally, six non-castrated males (PV mean = 52.3 ± 6.9 kg), canulated in the rumen, were kept in metabolic cages to evaluate diets digestibility, and to estimate metabolizable energy concentrations of the diets and the metabolizable protein intake. Diet degradability was assessed by an in vitro assay. Dry matter intake and average daily weight gain were higher for animals fed the diet containing coastcross hay. On the other hand, better gain-to-feed ratio was observed for those fed the diet containing sugarcane bagasse. There was no effect of intake level on metabolizable energy content of the diet, but it was higher in the diet containing sugarcane bagasse (3.18 vs. 2.94). Animals receiving the diet containing sugarcane bagasse presented higher body fat and energy concentrations, as a response of a larger visceral fat deposition. Using roughages with low nutritive value in high energy diets for growing lambs, does not increases energy requirements for maintenance. However, increasing concentrate proportion in the diet improves the efficiency of metabolizable energy use for weight gain, which is directly associated with a larger retention of visceral fat. Under a meat production perspective, however, that increased nutritional efficiency should be took with caution, since it is related to the deposition of tissues not intended to human consumption. Protein requirements for growth of lambs ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês are accurately predicted by the AFRC (1993) equations. None of the current nutritional systems, however, is able to predict energy requirements of these animals from 15 to 45 kg of body weight.

Introduction Optimal nutrition is vital in the management of infants born preterm. Dietary fat in infancy is fundamental for the provision of energy for growth and development. Essential fatty acids, specifically Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (LC-PUFAs) such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have been under investigation by several international research groups in the past decade. Essential fatty acids are critical in neurodevelopment as DHA is found in high proportions in structural lipids of cell membranes, particularly in the central nervous system (CNS). The accumulation of essential fatty acids and particularly DHA in the brain and retina occurs most rapidly during the perinatal period, therefore preterm infants are of particular concern (Singer, 2001). Current scientific consensus is that the optimum growth rate for preterm infants is equal to the in utero growth rate throughout the last trimester, however, failure to achieve the optimum intrauterine growth rate is common in preterm infants (Olhager and Forsum, 2003). Preterm infants require large amounts of energy and nutrients with which many infants are not provided or are not able to absorb, due to immature gastrointestinal and metabolic systems and other medical complications (Olhager and Forsum, 2003). There are a number of unresolved issues regarding optimal growth rate and total energy requirements (ER) for preterm infants. Hypotheses/Objectives This study is a “side study” to a double blind randomised controlled trial (RCT) of DHA supplementation in preterm infants. The hypothesis of this “side study” is that increased DHA during the neonatal period would increase total energy expenditure (TEE) and improve neurodevelopmental outcome. Specifically, at term postconceptual age (PCA) it was hypothesised that preterm infants receiving higher intake of DHA would have higher TEE’s due to the acceleration in brain maturation. Also, it was hypothesised that preterm infants receiving high levels of DHA would have TEE’s equivalent to term born infants due to their same brain maturation status. Other hypothesised effects of DHA supplementation include an accelerated maturation of the visual cortical pathways, and accelerated white matter (WM) tract development aiding in brain maturation. The first objective of this study was to measure TEE and ER in very preterm infants when they reached an age of 31-33 weeks post conceptional age (PCA). The effects of DHA supplementation on TEE, at simulated in utero levels, in very preterm infants (born < 33 weeks PCA), when assessed at term equivalent (40 weeks PCA) were studied. Another objective was to compare WM brain tissue volume at term PCA between two preterm groups and then with the term born infants. Visual latency was also compared between the two preterm infant groups and then with the term born infants. Methods TEE was measured using the doubly labelled water (DLW) method which is based on the differential elimination of 2H (deuterium) and 18O from the body subsequent to a loading dose of these isotopes. TEE was measured at the preterm age between 31-33 weeks PCA and again at term PCA. TEE measurements are made at term PCA in a term born control group. Brain assessment was by Magnetic Resonance Imaging and (MRI) and Visual Evoked Potential (VEP). Magnetic resonance imaging quantitatively measured brain volumes and WM. Visual evoked potential would provide information on visual latency and amplitude. Results The cohort consisted of 38 infants. The TEE of the very preterm infant group was measured at 31-33 weeks PCA. The mean (±standard deviation) (SD) TEE was calculated at 80(±27) kcal/kg/d, and using data in the literature for foetal energy accretion of 28kcal/kg/d, the mean ER was calculated to be 108(±27) kcal/kg/d. At term PCA TEE was calculated for the preterm DHA supplemented group to be 56(±19) kcal/kg/d and for the non-DHA supplemented group 70(±39) kcal/kg/d. These measurements were not statistically different. Flash VEP conducted on preterm given different amounts of DHA tested at term PCA found no statistically different measurements. When combining these results and comparing them to measurements of term born infants at term PCA, the right eye measurements showed that preterm infants had statistically greater latencies than term infants. When combining the left and right eye measurements the latencies no statistical significance was found. Amplitude was also not statistically significant between the groups. MRI measures at term PCA were not statistically different DHA supplemented and the non-DHA supplemented preterm infant group. When the preterm infant cohort was combined and compared to the term born infant group, the results showed that preterm infants imaged at term PCA had reduced WM development in a number of frontal lobe projections, and anterior and posterior commissarial pathways of the corpus callosum and corona radiata. Discussion The TEE and ER measurements in this study represent the largest preterm infant cohort to date. The ER values reported here are of value in allowing the calculation of appropriate feeding and nutritional strategies for preterm infants. Although no differences in TEE between the DHA and non DHA supplemented groups were found this may have been due to the small sample size. With regard to the latency outcomes, it can be speculated that if measurements were conducted at a later PCA the correlations may have been stronger and significant. Several other factors may have also affected the results, including alertness of the infant at the time of testing, thickness of the cranium, and other health factors could not be controlled for. This study contains the youngest cohort to be compared via Flash VEP. The MRI data did not find significant differences in brain volume and WM between the DHA supplemented and the non-DHA supplemented groups. The infant CNS is rapidly developing and there are multiple environmental factors which may have affected outcomes. The data did however find differences in WM development between the preterm and term infants. The reduced WM development found in the preterm infants compared to term born infants may provide some explanation for the correlation between preterm birth and poorer cognitive and functional outcomes. Larger studies which extend beyond the first months of life are recommended in order to investigate the long-term relationships between DHA supplementation, TEE and brain maturation.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do uso de volumosos com valor nutricional distinto sobre as exigências e a eficiência de uso da energia e da proteína por ovinos ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês, em crescimento. Para isso, 84 cordeiros, machos não castrados, foram desmamados aos 56 dias de idade (PV inicial = 18,0 ± 3,3 kg) e confinados em baias individuais, sendo distribuídos em dois grupos: VBVN cordeiros alimentados com dieta composta por volumoso de baixo valor nutricional (bagaço de cana in natura); e VAVN cordeiros alimentados com dieta composta por volumoso de alto valor nutricional (feno de coastcross). Destes, sete animais de cada grupo foram aleatoriamente selecionados e abatidos após um período de adaptação de 10 dias (animais referência). Dentre os remanescentes, 21 animais de cada grupo foram alimentados ad libitum e abatidos aos 25, 35 ou 45 kg de peso vivo (sete animais por grupo) sendo, os 28 demais animais, submetidos a dois níveis de restrição alimentar, de forma a obterem-se diferentes níveis de consumo de energia metabolizável (EM): 70 e 50% do consumo ad libitum. Foram determinadas as concentrações e as retenções corporais de gordura, nitrogênio e energia. Adicionalmente, seis animais ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês (PV médio = 52,3 ± 6,9 kg), machos não castrados canulados no rúmen, foram mantidos em gaiolas de estudo de metabolismo para avaliação da digestibilidade das dietas e estimativa das concentrações dietéticas de EM e do consumo de proteína metabolizável. A degradabilidade das dietas experimentais foi avaliada in vitro. O consumo de matéria seca e o ganho de peso médio diário foram mais elevados para os animais alimentados com a dieta contendo feno de coastcross. Por outro lado, melhor eficiência alimentar foi observada para aqueles alimentados com a dieta contendo bagaço de cana. Não houve efeito do nível de consumo sobre o teor de energia metabolizável da dieta, mas este foi maior na dieta contendo bagaço de cana in natura (3,18 vs 2,94). Os animais recebendo a dieta contendo bagaço de cana apresentaram maiores concentrações corporais de gordura e energia, o que foi reflexo de um maior acúmulo de gordura visceral. O uso de volumosos de baixo valor nutricional, em dietas com alta concentração energética, não resulta em incremento das exigências energéticas de mantença. No entanto, a elevação do teor de concentrado da ração resulta em aumento da eficiência de uso da energia metabolizável para ganho de peso, o que está diretamente associado à maior retenção de gordura visceral. Sob o ponto de vista da produção de carne, todavia, esta maior eficiência nutricional deve ser vista com cautela, uma vez que está relacionada à deposição de tecidos não destinados ao consumo humano. As exigências protéicas para ganho de peso de cordeiros ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês podem ser acuradamente preditas pelas equações do AFRC (1993). Nenhum dos sistemas nutricionais atuais, contudo, é capaz de predizer as exigências energéticas destes animais entre os 15 e 45 kg de peso corporal. / The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of using roughages with different nutritive value on requirements and efficiency of energy and protein use of growing ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês sheep. For this purpose, eighty four non-castrated male lambs were weaned at 56 days of age (initial BW = 18.0 ± 3.3 kg) and penned in individual stalls, being divided into two groups: VBVN - lambs fed diet containing roughage with low nutritive value (sugarcane bagasse in natura); and VAVN - lambs fed diet containing roughage with high nutritive value (coastcross hay). From these lambs, seven animals from each group were randomly selected and slaughtered after a 10-day adaptation period (reference animals). Twenty one animals in each group were then fed ad libitum and slaughtered at 25, 35, or 45 kg of live weight (seven animals per group), and the remaining 28 animals were submitted to one of two levels of feed restriction: either 70 or 50% of the ad libitum intake. Concentrations and retentions of body fat, nitrogen, and energy were determined. Additionally, six non-castrated males (PV mean = 52.3 ± 6.9 kg), canulated in the rumen, were kept in metabolic cages to evaluate diets digestibility, and to estimate metabolizable energy concentrations of the diets and the metabolizable protein intake. Diet degradability was assessed by an in vitro assay. Dry matter intake and average daily weight gain were higher for animals fed the diet containing coastcross hay. On the other hand, better gain-to-feed ratio was observed for those fed the diet containing sugarcane bagasse. There was no effect of intake level on metabolizable energy content of the diet, but it was higher in the diet containing sugarcane bagasse (3.18 vs. 2.94). Animals receiving the diet containing sugarcane bagasse presented higher body fat and energy concentrations, as a response of a larger visceral fat deposition. Using roughages with low nutritive value in high energy diets for growing lambs, does not increases energy requirements for maintenance. However, increasing concentrate proportion in the diet improves the efficiency of metabolizable energy use for weight gain, which is directly associated with a larger retention of visceral fat. Under a meat production perspective, however, that increased nutritional efficiency should be took with caution, since it is related to the deposition of tissues not intended to human consumption. Protein requirements for growth of lambs ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês are accurately predicted by the AFRC (1993) equations. None of the current nutritional systems, however, is able to predict energy requirements of these animals from 15 to 45 kg of body weight.

EU har ställt höga krav på energianvändning i byggnader genom ett nytt direktiv där respektive medlemsland har fått i uppdrag att ta fram gränsvärden för energianvändning i just sitt land. I Sverige har Boverket fått detta ansvar. I och med det skärpta krav som har föreslagits finns en orolighet i byggbranschen att det kommer att bli svårt att uppfylla det. Tillverkare av småhushar ofta en standardiserad konstruktion som de nu kan behöva ändra på. Syftet med detta examensarbete blev därför att undersöka om en småhustillverkare behöver förändra sin standardkonstruktion, och i så fall vilka förändringar som kan göras, för att uppnå det nya kravet för energianvändning. Genom att studera nuvarande energikrav och Boverkets förslag på nytt krav samt teorier inom byggnadskonstruktion har den teoretiska grunden för examensarbetet lagts. En litteraturstudie har dessutom gjorts över tidigare studier inom området, där framför allt förbättringsåtgärder för att få energisnålare hus har varit till stor hjälp för detta arbete. Studien av en småhustillverkare har genomförts genom att energianvändningen av ett småhus i standardutförande har tagits fram i simuleringsprogrammet IDA ICE. Studerat hus är en trävilla med bergvärme och FTX-ventilation beläget i klimatzon 1. Efter simuleringen har åtta förbättringar i husets konstruktion gjorts med nya simuleringar för att identifiera vilka av dessa förbättringar som är lämpliga att utföra. De mest lämpade förbättringarna har slutligen kombinerats ihop för att uppnå det nya energikravet. Studien visar att nuvarande konstruktion inte uppfyller kommande krav. Utifrån de avgränsningar som har gjorts rekommenderas att följande tre åtgärder vidtas; installation av en värmepump med COP 4 istället för 3, fönster och dörrar med U-värde 0,8 W/(m2*K) istället för 1,2 W/(m2*K) samt ytterväggar med U-värde 0,1 W/(m2*K) istället för 0,137 W/(m2*K). Dessa rekommendationer utgår från att det föreslagna kravet även gäller för klimatzon 1. / The EU has demanded lower energy consumption in buildings through a new directive where each member state has been assigned the task of developing new energy consumption targets for their respective country. In Sweden, Boverket has been assigned this responsibility. There is a concern in the Swedish construction industry that it will be difficult to meet these new requirements. Manufacturers of small houses usually have a standardized design that they now may need to adjust. The purpose of this thesis was therefore to investigate whether a single-family house manufacturer needs to change its standard construction, and if so, what changes could be made to achieve the new requirements for energy usage. By studying current energy requirements and Boverket's proposal for future requirements as well as theories in architectural engineering, the theoretical basis for the thesis has been laid out. A literature study has also been performed of previous studies in the field. Particularly studies of home improvements to get energy-efficient houses have been of great help for this work. A single-family house has been constructed and simulated in the IDA ICE simulation program. The house was made out of wood with a ground source heat pump and FTX ventilation located in climate zone 1. Eight improvements in the house design have been studied with new simulations to identify which of these improvements are appropriate to implement. The most suitable improvements have finally been combined to meet the new energy requirements. The study shows that the current house construction design does not meet future requirements. Based on the delimitations that have been made for this thesis, it is recommended that the following three measures are to be taken; A heat pump with a COP of 4 instead of 3, windows and doors with a U-value of 0.8 W/(m2*K) instead of 1,2 W/(m2*K) and outer walls with a U-value of 0.1 W/(m2*K) instead of 0,137 W/(m2*K). These recommendations are based on the assumption that the proposed new requirements are also applicable for climate zone 1.

From the Proceedings of the 1974 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Assn. and the Hydrology Section - Arizona Academy of Science - April 19-20, 1974, Flagstaff, Arizona / The process of salt replacement desalination proposed is believed to be able to produce vast quantities of fresh water be desalination. This method, which is a novel approach to minimizing the costs of saline water conversion, consists of the substitution of solutes in a solution to be desalted by a replacer chemical, and the low energy removal of that replacer chemical. The ultrafiltration of larger molecular sized replacer chemicals with high flux membranes increases the produce yield rate and reduces the corresponding energy requirement, with respect to reverse osmosis. In addition, the initial captial investment is less since no pressure constraining devices are required. The alteration of the osmotic pressure of the replacer solution within the process can also take advantage of energy savings through the utilization of an easily reversible reaction which synthesizes and breaks down a constituent that has a significant osmotic pressure difference between phases. Finally, the unusual process of fixed gel syneresis shows potential as a low energy salt replacement type process, but still requires extensive investigation.