In recent decades, society's concern about unsustainable development has grown steadily, while the desire to deal with the situation has also grown in connection with the concern and increased interest in the environment. The development of new concepts for systematic control and follow-up has also been steadily growing. The concepts developed are different environmental management systems, where the most accepted management system is ISO 14001. This has resulted in the development of tools with specific goals, in this study's focus, the Life Cycle Analysis. With the above background as a basis, this study aims to investigate and develop improvement measures in an organization with a focus on life cycle analysis and process mapping. The theory of the study is based on the ISO standards and in literature, while relevant models for the study are presented. The method through the writing of the study has been based on interviews, observations and literature studies and that validity, reliability, generalizability, and ethical positions have been kept in mind throughout the study to ensure a high quality.  The completed study came up with two suggestions for improvement: implement a process map for work with life cycle analysis and implement a flowchart for the decision process for products on which an LCA is to be performed. In the penultimate chapter of the study, the improvement proposals are presented which can hopefully make the organization's current working methods more efficient. / De senaste decennierna har samhällets oro för den icke-hållbara utvecklingen vuxit stadigt, samtidigt som även viljan att hantera situationen vuxit i samband med oron och ökat intresset för miljön. Utvecklingen av nya koncept för systematisk styrning och uppföljning har även de varit stadigt växande. Koncepten som utvecklats är olika miljöledningssystem, där det mest accepterade ledningssystemet är ISO 14001. Detta har resulterat i att verktyg med specifika mål utvecklats, i denna studies fokus, Livscykelanalysen. Med bakgrunden ovan som underlag, syftar denna studie till att undersöka och utveckla förbättringsåtgärder i en organisation med fokus på livscykelanalys och processkartläggning. Studiens teori grundar sig i ISO-standarderna och i litteratur samtidigt som relevanta modeller för studien presenteras. Metoden genom studiens skrivande har baserat sig på intervjuer, observationer och litteraturstudier samt att validitet, tillförlitlighet, generaliserbarhet och etiska ställningstaganden hafts i åtanke genom hela studien för att säkerställa en god kvalitet.  Den genomförda studien kom fram till två förbättringsförslag: implementera en processkarta för arbete med livscykelanalys samt implementera ett flödesschema för beslutsprocess vid produkter som en LCA ska utföras på. I studiens näst sista kapitel presenteras förbättringsförslagen som förhoppningsvis kan effektivisera organisationens nuvarande arbetssätt.

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Many tools have been developed to assess global, national or regional sustainable development policies. However, as governments develop sustainable policies, individuals must also feel empowered to affect their personal impact on the planet. This thesis integrates three sustainability concepts that lend themselves to individual sustainability: The natural step, life cycle assessment, and the ecological footprint. TNS serves to provide the meaning and substance toward sustainable development. LCA helps provide the framework for assessing sustainability. The EF calculator determines the driving components and measures the qualitative decisions made through TNS and LCA. From the analysis of the household footprint calculator a simplified footprint calculator was developed to assist individuals and communities in setting benchmarks and goals as they move away from over-consumption and towards a sustainable lifestyle.

A indústria da construção civil é uma das principais fontes emissoras de poluição devido ao alto consumo de energia em seu ciclo de vida. Além da energia empregada na construção do edifício, durante sua operação, diversos sistemas também a utilizam, entre os quais se destaca, o sistema de condicionamento de ar. O consumo de energia por esse sistema está relacionado, entre outras coisas, com a temperatura do ar no ambiente externo e a requerida internamente pelo edifício. As fachadas são os elementos pelos quais se dá a maior parcela de transferência de calor do ambiente externo para o interno em edifícios altos. Assim, o tipo de fachada influi no consumo de energia no ciclo de vida dos edifícios e, conseqüentemente, contribui também para a emissão de CO2 pelos edifícios, pois a emissão deste gás está diretamente ligada ao consumo de energia. Desse modo, o objetivo deste trabalho é contribuir para o desenvolvimento da metodologia de avaliação das emissões de CO2 geradas durante o ciclo de vida das fachadas de edifícios de escritório. Os resultados, para os parâmetros considerados neste trabalho, mostram que as fachadas em structural glazing com vidro incolor são as que mais emitem CO2 ao longo de seu ciclo de vida, seguidas das fachadas em alvenaria e revestidas com painéis de alumínio composto ou ACM (Aluminium Composite Material), fachadas em structural glazing com vidro refletivo e fachadas em alvenaria revestidas com argamassa. Por fim, realizou-se uma análise para se avaliar a incerteza dos resultados deste estudo. / The construction industry is one of the main sources of pollution due to high energy consumption in its life cycle. Besides the energy used in the construction of the building during its operation, many systems also use, mainly, the air conditioning system. The energy consumption of the air conditioning system is related, among others things, with the outdoor air temperature and the indoor required air temperature. The façades are the elements in which the transference of heat happens from the outdoor environment to the indoor environment in high buildings. So, the façade typologies contribute to the energy consumption in the life cycle of the buildings and to CO2 emissions, because the emission of this gas is linked directly to the energy consumption. The objective of this work is to contribute to the development of evaluation methodology of CO2 emissions generated during the life cycle of the façades of office buildings. The results for the parameters considered in this work show that the façades in structural glazing with colorless glass are those that emit more CO2 throughout its life cycle, followed by the façades in masonry and coated with ACM (Aluminium Composite Material), façades in structural glazing with reflective glass and façades in masonry coated with mortar. Finally, an analysis was made to evaluate the results uncertainty.

Nanotechnology research and its commercial applications have experienced an exponential rise in the recent decades. Although there are a lot of studies with regards to toxicity of nanoparticles, the exposure to nanoparticles, both in terms of quality and quantity, during the life cycle of nanocomposites is very much an unknown quantity and an active area of research. Unsurprisingly, the regulations governing the use and disposal of nanomaterials during its life cycle are behind the curve. This work aims to assess the quantity of nanoparticles released along the life cycle of nanocomposites. Machining operations such as milling and drilling were chosen to simulate the manufacturing of nanocomposites parts, and impact testing to recreate the end-of-life of the materials. Several studies have tried to simulate different release scenarios, however these experiments had many variables and in general were not done in controlled environments. In this study, a reliable method was developed to assess the release of nanoparticles during machining and low velocity impact of nanocomposites. The development and validation of a new prototype used for measurement and monitoring of nanoparticles in a controlled environment is presented, as along with release experiments on different nanocomposites. Every sample tested was found to release nanoparticles irrespective of the mechanical process used or the type of material tested. Even neat polymers released nanoparticles when subjected to mechanical forces. The type of matrix was identified to play a major role on the quantity of nanoparticles release during different process. Thermoset polymers (and especially polyester) were found to release a higher number concentration of particles, mainly due to their brittle properties. A polyester sample was found to release up to 48 times more particles than a polypropylene one during drilling. The nanofiller type and percentage used to reinforce the polymer is also a key point. For example, the addition of 2 wt.% of nano-alumina into polyester increases the number concentration of particles by 106 % following an impact. The nanofiller chosen and its quantity affect the mechanical properties and machinability of the composites and therefore its nanoparticles release potential. The mechanical process and the process parameters chosen were also found to be crucial with regards to the nanoparticles released with different trends observed during drilling and impact of similar materials. Finally, thermal ageing of nanocomposites increases the number concentration of nanoparticles released (by 8 to 17 times after 6 weeks).

According to the USDA Economic Research service, farm-level prices are on the decline. This decline in prices particularly hurts smaller scale operators with many needing to rely on off-farm income in order to ensure they remain in operation. This thesis studies two problems of key interest to the Southeast region and the State of Kentucky by investigating dairy management practices and the environmental benefits of hemp production. As dairy prices have been on the decline and dairy co-ops have tightened their restrictions on somatic cell count (SCC) levels, dairy farmers and farm managers must decide the best course of action for maintaining milk quality in order to maintain their contract and profitability. Maintenance decisions as well as factors like sanitation and animal living conditions can all contribute to bulk tank SCC and depending on the type of incentives or penalties instituted by the co-op they can have an impact on net farm income. The objective of the dairy study is to determine which dairy management practices have the largest impact on SCC levels. Industrial hemp is produced worldwide. Historically, the major producers of hemp have been China, Europe, and Russia. In 2014, the passage of the Farm Bill opened the door to the production of Industrial hemp through the development of state pilot programs. Then the 2018 Farm Bill removed industrial hemp from the Scheduled Drug list. This has further expanded the opportunities and excitement for this crop. The plant’s versatility and the variety of products that can be made from it are coming to light. Sustainability is one of the key attributes touted concerning industrial hemp. Specifically, in the state of Kentucky, it is expected to be a replacement for tobacco and other traditional crops. However, how does the crop compare to tobacco production in terms of sustainability? The objective of the hemp study is to develop a life cycle analysis on the planting and harvesting of hemp and compare its impacts to more traditional crops.

This work investigates the fabrication, characterization and testing of Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage nanofibers to be utilized in water filtration systems. These mucilage nanofibers are formed using different polymers through a process called electrospinning. The polymers used to promote the formation of nanofibers are poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) and polystyrene (PS). The mucilage is a jelly like substance extracted from the pads of the cactus plant. It is a mixture of proteins, complex polysaccharides and monosaccharaides. It is an inexpensive, non-toxic, biodegradable and biocompatible material which is present in abundance. The mucilage extracted from the pads is mixed with acetic acid to form the mucilage solution. The mucilage solution is then mixed by volume with co-spinning polymers, PVA and PS. PVA is a synthetic polymer that is water-soluble, and this work considers two types of PVA differentiated based upon molecular weight, such as low molecular weight PVA and high molecular weight PVA. Polystyrene is a synthetic polymer extracted from a monomer styrene, and it is inexpensive, biodegradable, and abundant. The polystyrene, in its solid form, is further decomposed using a solvent called D-Limonene. D-Limonene is a biodegradable, non-toxic solvent formed from the citrus extract of orange peelings. The PVA and PS solutions are mixed in several different volume ratios with the mucilage solutions. These solutions were electrospun and consistent nanofibers were obtained using the low molecular weight PVA solutions and the polystyrene solutions. The fibers and polymeric solutions were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle measurements, viscosity, and FTIR. Resulting mucilage nanofiber membranes were characterized by atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) filtration testing. In addition, a life cycle analysis using the SimaPro software was performed to understand the environmental impact of solutions used to fabricate the mucilage nanofiber membranes. Characterization results confirm the formation of PVA:mucilage and PS:mucilage nanofibers. Filtration testing of the nanofiber membranes indicates better performance with membranes formed by PS: mucilage solutions as compared to PVA: Mucilage solutions. Overall, this work has shown that natural materials, such as cactus mucilage, can be synthesized with polymeric solutions to form environmentally friendly water filters.

Polycarbonate polyurethane (PCPU) has been studied as a novel polymer impregnated with nanoparticles for improved mechanical, thermal and adhesion properties [4]. This study investigates the synthesis of polycarbonate polyurethane (PCPU) polymeric nanofiber membranes by the process of electrospinning. This study further examines all the parameters associated with electrospinning a novel PCPU polymeric solution impregnated with nanofillers, such as nanoparticles, to produce fiber membranes. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) and N, N dimethylformamide (DMF) are used as solvents to dissolve PCPU polymer. One percent (1%) of nanofillers like silver and silica nanoparticles are added to PCPU polymer solution to investigate the impact on polymer solution properties, which in turn affects the fiber formation. Process parameters are studied by evaluating the impact each parameter has on the fiber formation. PCPU polymer concentrations of three polymer solutions (PCPU, PCPU + 1% silver and PCPU + 1% silica) with the appropriate solvent mixture ratio are achieved to produce polymeric fiber membranes with minimal bead formation. Polymeric nanofiber membranes of PCPU, PCPU + 1% silver and PCPU + 1% silica are produced using THF/DMF: 70/30 (V/V) solvent mixture. The polymeric nanofiber membranes obtained are characterized by using a scanning electron microscopy, rotational viscometer, tensiometer, contact angle measurement device, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). A comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) is performed to evaluate environmental impacts associated with solvents in the process of producing PCPU polymeric nanofiber membranes. The LCA is completed to gauge the potential impacts PCPU nanofiber membranes may have when utilized for various applications. This study discusses the successful production and characterization of good quality (no beading) polymeric nanofiber membranes of PCPU and novel composites of PCPU + 1% silver and PCPU + 1% silica. This two dimensional production of impregnated PCPU in nanofiber form will give researchers the opportunity to capitalize on the large surface areas of PCPU nanofibers versus PCPU thin films.

This work investigates the fabrication, process optimization, and characterization of cobalt oxide-antimony doped tin oxide (CoO-ATO) nanofibersusing polystyrene (PS) solutions with toluene orD-limonene as solvents. These nanofibers are produced by anelectrospinning process. Nanofibers are fabricated using polymeric solutions of CoO doped ATO and mixtures of PS: D-limonene and PS:toluene. PSis a base aromatic organic polymer, a non-toxic material, and a versatile catalyst for fiber formation. PSsolutions are made by mixing polystyrene beads and D-limonene or toluene at specific weight percentages. These polymeric solutions of PS: D-limonene and PS:toluene are then mixed with CoO-ATO at various weight percentages. The two solutions are electrospun and the best process parameters optimized to obtain nanofibers with limited beading. Process optimization is completed by analyzing how changes in the electrospinningexperimental set up impact nanofiber formation and production efficiency (speed of formation). CoO-ATO nanofibers are characterizedby scanning electron microscopy, hydrophobicity via contact angle measurements, and viscosity measurements. Additional analysis is conducted to evaluate the environmental impact of using two different solvents to fabricate the CoO-ATO nanofibers. In this project, I was able to successfully produce novel nanofiber membranes of CoO-ATOusing two different solvents. These investigations were conducted and nanofiberprocess optimized to provide a technological contribution to future industrial scaleproductions of thermally reflective materials.

The paper is based on an individual life-cycle model, which describes the purely economic components of human capital. The present value of human capital is determined by all future income flows, which at the same time constitute the individual as well as the total tax base of a nation. Therefore, the income of the productive population determines the total tax revenue, which is spent for public goods (including education) and transfers (for poverty reduction). The efficient design of the education system (by private and public education investments) determines the quality of the human capital stock as well as the future gross income flows. The costs of public goods and the transfer expenditures have to be financed from the total tax revenue, which also affects the individual tax burden via the specific tax bases and tax rates. Especially the redistribution of income is connected with serious disincentives, influencing the preferences for work and leisure as well as for consumption and saving. An efficient tax and transfer system being accompanied by an education system financed in public private partnership, which treats equally labor and capital income, sets positive incentives for the formation of human, financial, and real capital. An important prerequisite for a sustainable growth process is the efficient design of the social security system, being based on the family as well as a collective risk equalization scheme. If that system is diminishing absolute poverty in an appropriate time period by transfers and vocational education measures for the grown-up as well as high quality primary, secondary and tertiary education programs for the children, the transfer expenditure would decrease and the tax bases (income and consumption) increase, lowering the burden on the productive population. For the first time, this micro model presented in this paper pools all the relevant variables for development within a simple life-cycle model, which can also be used for a powerful analysis of the current failures in existing tax and transfer schemes and fruitful empirical investigations. Hence, an efficient tax and transfer scheme strongly contributes to an improved national position in the global competition.