As microfabrication techniques stepped into the millimeter and sub-sub-millimeter scale world, a large amount of microelectronics has been developed and even commercialized. Microbatteries are considered as the important components to continuously power microelectronics without interruption. Over past few decades, a great deal of research have been devoted into the development of microbatteries with high energy density, long cycling life and minimum footprint area. These researches mainly focus on the fabrication procedure, which contributes to reducing the footprint area. However, the battery chemistry investigation and optimization are always ignored, which have great impact on the microbatteries performances. How to take the battery chemistry into account when shrinking the size of microbatteries is a huge challenge. To take up the challenge, applying the energy-dense materials into the three-dimensional microstructures could be a direct strategy. Among different three-dimensional microstrucutres, Swiss-roll microtube was proven as an effective way to improve the energy density without influencing the electrochemical kinetics. As for the material choice, the Zn-MnO2 aqueous system with high theoretical capacity and safe working environment is a good candidate for microbatteries. More importantly, fabrication and modification of both the electrode and electrolyte is compatible with standard microfabrication process in the atmosphere. Based on this, Zn anode is modified by a photolithgraphable electrolyte with small-molecular stabilizer, while the MnO2 cathode is modified by the zincophilic binder. Then the Swiss-roll three-dimensional structure is elaborately designed through the strain-engineering rolled-up technology to accommodate the energy-dense and highly reversible materials. As the results, the gap between bulky and microscale batteries is successfully bridged.

Werkstoff- und Prozessgrenzen beschränken unter Beachtung ökonomischer und ökologischer Aspekte den Leichtbau gegossener Fahrwerk-Komponenten aus Al-Si-Legierungen. Zunächst werden Bauteilgewicht und Wärmebehandlungsprozess als beeinflussbare Hauptbeitragsleister für Emissionen im Herstellprozess identifiziert. Zu deren Verringerung werden abhängig von der Belastungsart mögliche Mindestwandstärken abgeleitet, die für den Kokillenguss um 35 % reduziert werden. Dies gelingt durch Einsatz neuartiger, das Formfüllverhalten verbessernder Oberflächenstrukturierungen von Gießwerkzeugen bei Einhaltung von Konstruktionsregeln. Die Gesamtprozesszeit der Wärmebehandlung kann bei gleichbleibenden mechanischen Eigenschaften um 40 % verkürzt werden. Dabei erfolgt die Charakterisierung des Werkstoff- und Bauteilverhaltens unter dynamischer Belastung bei Parametervariation, da keine Korrelation zu den statischen mechanischen Kennwerten vorliegt.

Current global agricultural practices are recognized as unsustainable. The increase in overall human population as well as the global trend of rural to urban migration, partially as a result of historically and continual unsustainable agricultural practices, exacerbates the vicious cycle of poverty and hunger in developing countries. Furthermore, cities and regions in developed countries practice unsustainable food production, distribution and consumption patterns, and as a result, exceed their global ecological footprint (Rees 2009). Consequently, the world is facing a global food (FAO 2009) and water crisis (UN Sick Water 2010). Cities and Regions must learn to feed themselves to address local food insecurity as well as protect from the climate effects of increased urbanization, including the Urban Heat Island effect (UHIe) by optimizing and fully integrating the local ecosystem services of food, water and forest within a tightly woven compact urban form through the implementation of strategic urban and regional food system planning. Cities can mitigate climate change and reduce the UHIe, by implementing sustainable intensive urban agriculture approaches through policy and zoning interventions that include concepts such as intensively productive urban agriculture that includes green roofs, vertical farming and greenways as continuously productive and edible urban landscapes, referred to in this paper as continuously productive urban agriculture and forestation (CPUAF) in the private and public realm. A highly participative, adaptive systems approach is explored as the key to sustainability within an economic world order that included corporate social responsibility and social enterprise as the foundation for the integration of multiple synergies. An increasing body of evidence often links urban forestation with urban greenery initiatives, as a carbon sink to reduce UHI effects, to reduce GHG emissions and as a tool for urban beautification and place making (ISDR: 2009,109). Urban agriculture, through the production of local food is increasingly recognized as a means to reduce fossil fuel emissions by reducing transportation and production outputs, to provide a secure local food source, enhance biodiversity and educate the public regarding food source while fostering a sense of community, environmental awareness and stewardship. This thesis explores the links between intensive urban agriculture and forestation, and the relationship between climate change, and the UHI’s as an adaptation and mitigation process in global cities, implemented as a interconnected, integrated, holistic urban management approach that has a further benefit of providing food security and a sustainable and local urban food source. / Dissertation (MTRP)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Town and Regional Planning / unrestricted

Sverige har som mål att bli helt fossilfri till år 2045. Energymyndigheten har därför tagit fram ett förslag till Vätgasstrategi för att ställa om vätgasproduktionen till att vara helt fossilfri till 2045. Idag används ca 180 000 ton vätgas, vilket motsvarar ett energiinnehåll på ca 6 TWh. Termo-kemisk omvandling av fossila bränslen står för 67% av Sveriges vätgasproduktion, medan 30% är biprodukter från industriella processer och 3% produceras med elektrolysörer. Att ersätta all fossil vätgas med elektrolysör-baserad vätgas innebär en elförbrukning motsvarande 60-126 TWh/år, vilket är en ökning på 40-80% jämfört med de 159 TWh el producerade i Sverige 2020. Energimyndigheten bedömer att vätgas har en viktig roll i att lyckas göra Sverige fossilfritt, delvis genom att den ska kunna fungera som energibärare eller energilagring för att jämna ut variationer i produktion hos förnybara energikällor. Av den anledningen kommer antagligen behovet av vätgas öka, och därmed även energibehovet för att producera vätgas öka ännu mer än 60-126 TWh/år om den fossila vätgasen ska bli ersatt med endast elektrolysör-baserad vätgas. Med tanke på begränsningar i expansion av förnybar elproduktion, kommer behovet av vätgas antagligen inte kunna täckas av endast elektrolysör-baserad vätgas. Därför bör möjligheterna för att även satsa på bio-vätgas, där vätgas produceras av antingen bakterier eller genom refinery av biobaserade råvaror, undersökas. Detta examensarbete ska undersöka möjligheter för vätgasproduktion i Sverige och jämföra olika produktionteknikers förutsättningar. En hypotes är att en hållbar strategi är att kombinera elektrolysör-baserad vätgas med bio-vätgas för att få en diversifierad produktion. Att ha olika produktionsmetoder som komplementerar varandra ger en mer stabil och säker produktion, eftersom de kommer påverkas olika av förändringar i produktionsförutsättningar i samhället. Detta arbete söker svara på följande frågor: Vilka tekniker finns tillgängliga för industriell/kommersiell produktion, var borde R&D riktas för de tekniker som inte är redo för kommersiell produktion, vilket Carbon Footprint (CF) har de olika teknikerna, en uppskattad produktionskostnad för de olika teknikerna, och vilken tillgänglighet för de olika råvarorna finns i Sverige? / Sweden has a goal to be completely fossil-free by 2045. Accordingly, the government has published a suggested Hydrogen Strategy to have made all hydrogen production in Sweden fossil-free by 2045. The Swedish hydrogen use is 180,000 ton, equaling an energy content of 6 TWh/year. Thermo-chemical conversion of fossil fuels accounts for 67% of Swedens hydrogen production, while 30% is byproducts from industry and 3% is electrolysis production. To replace all fossil hydrogen with electrolysis production, would give an increase of electrical demand with 60-126 TWh/year, or 40-80% increase compared to the 159 TWh electricity produced during 2020 in Sweden. Furtherly, the Ministry of Energy deem hydrogen to be key in the general transformation of Sweden to become fossil-free, with one reason being that hydrogen can be used as energy carrier to even out the variations in electricity production that renewable energy has. The need of hydrogen will therefore most likely increase until 2045, thus the electric energy demand for hydrogen production will increase as well, if it would be replaced solely with production using electrolysis. Given the constraints to the capacity of electricity production from renewable sources alone in Sweden, the electricity demand for hydrogen cannot be met by the electricity production. Thus, the possible role of biohydrogen, where hydrogen is produced using biorefinery or microbial production, should be investigated. This master thesis project will investigate the feasibility of hydrogen production in Sweden and compare different options for hydrogen production. A hypothesis of the project is that the most sustainable strategy for hydrogen production in Sweden will be with a diversified portfolio of production designs. Both biohydrogen and electrolysis hydrogen from renewable energy will complement each other in the future. By doing so, the energy sector will be more sustainable and stable since the techniques do not react alike to change in production conditions. The report aims to answer: What techniques are available for industrial production, where should R&D be directed for techniques not ready for industry, what is the estimated carbon footprint (CF) of the industrially available techniques, what is the estimated production cost for each technique, what availability is there in Sweden for the feedstock needed for each technique?

The aviation sector is in a critical position where it must switch to environmentally friendly alternatives in order to lessen its impact on the environment. The implementation of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in airline business models is thoroughly examined in this thesis, which uses the Business Model Canvas (BMC) and the Triple Layered Business Model Canvas (TLBMC) as its primary conceptual frameworks. A thorough examination of the airlines' SAF pricing tactics and business models has been conducted, considering the sustainability of the environment, the economy, and society. This has made it possible to identify strategies that will effectively encourage the use of sustainable jet fuel. Through the examination and evaluation of aviation industry dynamics, legislation, and technical advancements, this research provides useful information to help direct strategic planning and decision-making within the aviation industry. The findings indicate that innovation, sustainability, and cooperation are essential for industry players to embrace in order to steer the aviation sector toward a more resilient and environmentally friendly future. The integration of sustainable aviation fuel within the airlines' business models represents a decisive step towards sustainability in the aviation industry. In this thesis, the Triple Layered Business Model Canvas TLBMC has been used to complement the traditional Business Model Canvas BMC. Using these frameworks together offers a holistic analysis of the environmental, economic and social impacts of SAF implementation on airlines such as Scandinavian Airlines SAS and BRA Braathens Regional Airlines. Sustainable jet fuel is used as a temporary solution to reduce the aviation industry's environmental impact. However, analysis and review of the sustainable fuel's life cycle from production to consumption is needed to be able to evaluate its environmental and social benefits. From an economic perspective, sustainable jet fuel production and availability is a major challenge for airlines. In order to overcome this challenge, innovative pricing strategies and cost-sharing initiatives are required in which various stakeholders from the aviation industry are involved. In summary, this thesis contributes to increased knowledge in changing business models in the aviation industry as well as an analysis of current price strategies for sustainable aviation fuel. Leveraging the insights from the TLBMC analysis of business models and pricing strategies for SAF integration, this research aims to inform strategic decision-making in the aviation sector and accelerate the industry's transition towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future. / Flygindustrin befinner sig i en avgörande position där behov för övergång till hållbara alternativ för att minska dess miljöpåverkan finns. Denna avhandling utgör en omfattande utforskning av hållbara flygbränslen införande inom flygbolagens affärsmodeller, med användning av både Business Model Canvas (BMC) och Triple Layered Business Model Canvas (TLBMC) som huvudramverk för analys. En noggrann analys av flygbolagens prisstrategier för hållbart flygbränsle och affärsmodeller har genomförts med hänsyn till miljömässiga, ekonomiska och sociala hållbarhetsaspekter. Detta har möjliggjort identifiering av effektiva tillvägagångssätt för att främja införandet av hållbart flygbränsle. Genom att utföra analyser och granskning av flygindustrins dynamik, riktlinjer och tekniska framsteg, bidrar denna forskning med praktiska insikter som syftar till att vägleda beslutsfattande och strategisk planering inom flygsektorn. Resultaten har visat på att det är avgörande för industrins intressenter att ta till sig innovation, hållbarhet och samarbeta för att föra flygsektorn mot en grönare och mer motståndskraftig framtid. Integrationen av hållbara flygbränsle inom flygbolagens affärsmodeller representerar ett avgörande steg mot hållbarhet inom flygindustrin. I denna avhandling har Triple Layered Business Model Canvas TLBMC, använts för att komplettera den traditionella Business Model Canvas BMC. Användning av dessa ramverk tillsammans erbjuder en holistisk analys av de miljömässiga, ekonomiska och sociala effekterna av SAF införande på flygbolag som Scandinavian Airlines SAS och BRA Braathens Regional Airlines. Hållbart flygbränsle används som en tillfällig lösning för att minska flygindustrins miljöpåverkan. Dock behövs det analys och granskning av det hållbara bränslets livscykel från produktion till konsumtion för att kunna utvärdera dess miljö och sociala fördelar. Från ett ekonomiskt perspektiv utgör det hållbara flygbränsle produktionen och tillgängligheten en  stor utmaning för flygbolagen. För att övervinna denna utmaningen krävs det innovativaprissättningsstrategier och kostnadsdelning initiativ där olika intressenter från flygindustrin är involverade. Sammanfattningsvis bidrar denna avhandling till ökad kunskap inom förändring av affärsmodeller inom flygindustrin samt en analys av nuvarande prisstrategier för hållbart flygbränsle. Genom att utnyttja insikterna från TLBMC-analysen av affärsmodeller och prissättningsstrategier för SAF-integration, syftar denna forskning till att informera strategiskt beslutsfattande inom flygsektorn och påskynda branschens övergång mot en mer hållbar och miljömedveten framtid.

The investigation used the Ecological Footprint as an educational tool to assist Environmental Management and Water Care learners at Technikon Northern Gauteng, Soshanguve learners in gaining insight in their consumption of natural renewable and non-renewable resources and generation of wastes. In addition, it also aimed to assist them in understanding the ecological impacts of their behavior on the available international and national productive land and thus on planet earth. The results of the investigation indicated a significant decrease in the post-test questionnaire knowledge, attitude, and behaviour scores of the learner group. The implication however was clear; the Ecological Footprint did not directly have an effect on the attitude and behaviour of the learners but indirectly influenced the knowledge base of the learners, which then should have an impact on their attitude and behaviour over time. The Ecological Footprint could thus be an educational tool that could be incorporated into the curricula of the two academic programs at TNG, viz Water Care and Environmental Management for increasing knowledge and improving the attitude and behaviour of learners towards a more sustainable lifestyle. / Educational Studies / M.Ed.(Environmental Education)

Until recently, the concept of green logistics has been disregarded by various logistics and transport companies in South Africa. The study on which this dissertation is based explored the green logistics practices that these companies are currently implementing in terms of the key drivers, benefits and barriers. A quantitative research approach was followed, were a survey (Lime) served as the primary research instrument. A census was conducted among 160 companies in Gauteng. The results of the study revealed a significant difference between SMEs (<200) and large (200 and above) companies with regard to their importance rating on green logistics practices. To achieve the primary objective of the study, a framework in green logistics was drafted for SMEs and large companies in South Africa, which outlined practices and opportunities companies can implement in their own businesses to benefit from ‘going green’. The usefulness of the latter mentioned guidelines needs to be tested in future research. / Public Administration and Management / M.. Com. (Logistics Management)

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / The world as we know it is in a warming cycle. The rate of warming is being exacerbated by human activity; more specifically, the burning of fossil fuels to power expanding economies. Awareness that something must be done before a catastrophic point of no return is reached, has become more urgent. Before any strategies can be developed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the levels must be accurately measured to provide a benchmark and to determine reduction targets. The determination of an organisation’s carbon footprint is thus the starting point of the whole process. When the carbon footprint is known, various strategies can be implemented to reduce the carbon footprint. South Africa is classified as a developing country and is not required to comply with greenhouse gas reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol. This may change at any time in the future and it is therefore necessary to be ready when targets become compulsory. The general public is not knowledgeable about global warming. All of these factors need to change to provide impetus to reduction strategies. The South African Police Service (SAPS) is one of the largest government departments and is situated in nearly every town in South Africa. The SAPS is thus in a position to provide leadership in government and in communities on issues like global warming. The carbon footprint of the SAPS has been calculated as prescribed by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (2011). As a service organisation, the SAPS does not have industrial processes that may be the source of large quantities of greenhouse gases. In this research study, Scope 1 and scope 2 emissions were calculated and possible mitigation options are proposed. A survey conducted among a specific target group has indicated a general understanding of the concept of climate change. The respondents have difficulty in establishing a connection between climate change and increased crime levels. Behavioural change and education are necessary to promote a culture of energy efficiency and a reduction of greenhouse gases. Leadership is seen as an inhibiting factor, as top management does not consider global warming to be an influencing factor on crime levels. Government must provide strong leadership and formulate climate change strategies. Funding can be generated with carbon tax and emissions trading. On departmental level the energy efficiency of buildings can be improved and alternative fuels for vehicles be used.

<p>Modern food production is a complex, globalized system in which what we eat and how it is produced are increasingly disconnected. This thesis examines some of the ways in which global trade has changed the mix of inputs to food and feed, and how this affects food security and our perceptions of sustainability. One useful indicator of the ecological impact of trade in food and feed products is the Appropriated Ecosystem Areas (ArEAs), which estimates the terrestrial and aquatic areas needed to produce all the inputs to particular products.</p><p>The method is introduced in Paper I and used to calculate and track changes in imported subsidies to Swedish agriculture over the period 1962-1994. In 1994, Swedish consumers needed agricultural areas outside their national borders to satisfy more than a third of their food consumption needs. The method is then applied to Swedish meat production in Paper II to show that the term “Made in Sweden” is often a misnomer. In 1999, almost 80% of manufactured feed for Swedish pigs, cattle and chickens was dependent on imported inputs, mainly from Europe, Southeast Asia and South America. Paper III examines ecosystem subsidies to intensive aquaculture in two nations: shrimp production in Thailand and salmon production in Norway. In both countries, aquaculture was shown to rely increasingly on imported subsidies. The rapid expansion of aquaculture turned these countries from fishmeal net exporters to fishmeal net importers, increasingly using inputs from the Southeastern Pacific Ocean.</p><p>As the examined agricultural and aquacultural production systems became globalized, levels of dependence on other nations’ ecosystems, the number of external supply sources, and the distance to these sources steadily increased. Dependence on other nations is not problematic, as long as we are able to acknowledge these links and sustainably manage resources both at home and abroad. However, ecosystem subsidies are seldom recognized or made explicit in national policy or economic accounts. Economic systems are generally not designed to receive feedbacks when the status of remote ecosystems changes, much less to respond in an ecologically sensitive manner. Papers IV and V discuss the problem of “masking” of the true environmental costs of production for trade. One of our conclusions is that, while the ArEAs approach is a useful tool for illuminating environmentally-based subsidies in the policy arena, it does not reflect all of the costs. Current agricultural and aquacultural production methods have generated substantial increases in production levels, but if policy continues to support the focus on yield and production increases alone, taking the work of ecosystems for granted, vulnerability can result. Thus, a challenge is to develop a set of complementary tools that can be used in economic accounting at national and international scales that address ecosystem support and performance.</p><p>We conclude that future resilience in food production systems will require more explicit links between consumers and the work of supporting ecosystems, locally and in other regions of the world, and that food security planning will require active management of the capacity of all involved ecosystems to sustain food production.</p>

Ce mémoire en recherche création débute par un récit poétique rédigé par fragments et intitulé Ma mère est une porte. Ce texte met en abyme les ruines afin de démontrer leur lien de contiguïté avec l’absence, l’empreinte, la mémoire et la mort. D’ailleurs, leur aspect ruiniforme rappelle le fragment, ce qui permet d’appuyer l’esthétique formelle de l’œuvre. La deuxième partie intitulée Approche génétique : un monument à la mémoire des disparus emportés par le temps de l’écriture, propose une réflexion sur l’imaginaire des ruines en lien avec les archives littéraires et la mémoire. Divisé en trois sections, cet essai pose un regard inquiet sur l’avenir de l’objet d’étude de la critique génétique, soit le manuscrit moderne. Depuis l’avènement de l’informatique et du traitement de texte, que conserverons-nous de la mémoire scripturale et du processus d’écriture de l’écrivain de demain? / This M.A. Thesis combining research and creative writing is divided in two parts: a poetic narrative and an essay. Ma mère est une porte is structured in fragments and contains the mise en abyme of ruins in order to demonstrate that they closely relate to the ideas of absence, genetic footprint, memory and death. Ruins suggest fragments, thus the narrative’s esthetical form. The second part, Approche génétique : un monument à la mémoire des disparus emportés par le temps de l’écriture, is an essay reflecting on the metaphorical link between manuscript, ruins, archives and memory. Divided in three sections, it posits that new technology will cause modern manuscripts to disappear and the methodology behind genesis of text’s to evolve. Moreover, this will change how creative writing’s memory is preserved, hence affecting our cultural heritage.