Problem description: The buildings consume significant amounts of energy and are therefore major contributors to the overall CO2 emissions at the present time. The reduction of energy consumption in buildings is a major contribution to the overall control of global warming and to the improvement of sustainability. These reductions are essential as the world faces economic and energy crisis. An important key to the world’s energy problem is sustainable development. Taking the island of Cyprus as a case study, this thesis explores the different building categories and types, analyse building energy models and propose guidelines for the success development of Zero energy buildings in hot climates without compromising the comfort levels of the buildings. Purpose: The ultimate target is to be able to design and operate a building which requires no fossil fuel consumption – the so called “zero energy/carbon (emissions)” building. It is important for all countries to set a national goal in order to achieve zero energy consumption in the building sector and reduce the energy demands. Method: Through the theoretical research the project explored the causes of the problem of building energy, the different types of buildings, the definitions of zero energy buildings in various countries, regulations and standards concerning the buildings energy and all the available technology, methods and materials that can be used in the building sector. In this way the analysis presents the needs of the project and the point of focus during the practical part of the research with simulation of building models. The practical part of the project was the simulation of different building models in order to apply and check the theoretical findings and finally reach conclusions on the development of Zero energy buildings in hot climate countries. During the building simulation a variety of parameters such as the weather, the orientation, the shading methods, the insulation methods, the buildings materials, the glazing, the HVAC systems and building operation profiles were checked in order to find the appropriate combination of factors and achieve the zero energy building goals. Conclusions: This new approach to zero energy building, gives a new perspective to the energy consumption of the building and the indoor environment while also taking environmental impact from the building sector into account. This change in approach is a crucial part of the overall problem of how to achieve the ultimate goal of Zero Energy Buildings and how to convert buildings into “producers” of energy and help solve the world energy problem/crisis.

In geometry we will consider n-dimensional generalizations of the Power of a Point Theorem and of Pascal's Hexagon Theorem. In generalizing the Power of a Point Theorem, we will consider collections of cones determined by the intersections of an (n-1)-sphere and a pair of hyperplanes. We will then use these constructions to produce an n-dimensional generalization of Pascal's Hexagon Theorem, a classical plane geometry result which states that "Given a hexagon inscribed in a conic section, the three pairs of continuations of opposite sides meet on a straight line." Our generalization of this theorem will consider a pair of n-simplices intersecting an (n-1)-sphere, and will conclude with the intersections of corresponding faces lying in a hyperplane. In graph theory we will explore the interaction between zero forcing and cut-sets. The color change rule which lies at the center of zero forcing says "Suppose that each of the vertices of a graph are colored either blue or white. If u is a blue vertex and v is its only white neighbor, then u can force v to change to blue." The concept of zero forcing was introduced by the AIM Minimum Rank - Special Graphs Work Group in 2007 as a way of determining bounds on the minimum rank of graphs. Later, Darren Row established results concerning the zero forcing numbers of graphs with a cut-vertex. We will extend his work by considering graphs with arbitrarily large cut-sets, and the collections of components they yield, to determine results for the zero forcing numbers of these graphs.

The theme of this thesis is presentation of the CompactRIO platform by National Instruments with its range of hardware and the possibility of using this platform for the frequency measurement of analog signals. The result of this thesis is software equipment for this device focusing on the frequency measurement of analog signals and experimental verification of posibilities of a specific configuration of this platform in the range of measurable frequencies.

This diploma thesis handles with problems of reducing the production costs. The costs are connected with produce of scraps on Opel Delta project, where is the zero rework process booted. This work contains analysis of scraps for several periods and etablished actions to decrease inception of scraps.

The diploma thesis deals with reduction of scrapping at zero rework projects. These are the projects where corrections of particular parts are not allowed. If there are any in this way damaged parts, the entire products become scraps. Due to the fact the cost of low quality is increased, which is undesirable. The theoretical part describes the use of the six sigma method, which is then applied in the practical part. By using the IPO analysis the possible causes of the main problem have been chosen and then tested. The output of the diploma thesis is to find out and eliminate the causes of discrepancy, especially bridge walls at zero rework projects. After implementation of the first arrangements the scrapping has already been reduced.

abstract: The intent of this study was to identify the most viable among a proposive sample of emerging sustainable construction technologies with respect to the Twin Cities Metropolitan Geographic Area. With space heating and space cooling accounting for such a significant portion of energy consumption in Twin Cities homes, a representative sample of homes was analyzed for annual heating and cooling loads. For each home a series of heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) and envelope equipment was modeled in order to provide data for various sustainable home construction technologies. The result was a specific amount of energy savings from baseline construction methods for each sustainable technology. The study found that integrated geothermal heat pump and radiant conditioning systems have a far greater impact on energy savings than the construction methods evaluated. Nevertheless, insulated concrete forms provided the greatest energy savings within the proposive set of construction methods. The greatest amount of space conditioning energy savings of all configurations tested was 73.48% using an integrated geothermal heat pump and radiant conditioning system, structural insulated panel wall construction, aerosol air infiltration prevention, and insulated concrete form basement construction. The results of the study were used to determine areas for further research and to provide awareness within the Twin Cities construction enterprise to determine the most viable technologies that contractors, municipalities, and citizens should prioritize moving forward. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering 2019

Finding luminescent materials with narrow-band emissions, high stability, and high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY), yet relatively fast radiative decay rates, has been an outstanding research challenge. This thesis aims to develop different luminescent materials and examine their structural and optical properties for light-emitting applications. The first part of this thesis covers the controversy regarding the origin of emission in zerodimensional perovskites (0D), Cs4PbBr6 and Cs4PbI6, through a comparative analysis between 0D and three-dimensional (3D) perovskites. A series of optical studies excluded the 3D phases as the origin of emission in these materials. In parallel, the results from the DFT proposed the defects as a possible origin of emission. The second part of the thesis addresses the shortcoming of lead-based perovskites in terms of toxicity and stability, motivated by the high demand for sustainable materials with analogous electrical and structural properties. Thus, a series of solid-state Zn-based and Mn-based ternary compounds were investigated with and without doping. The compounds' photoluminescence peaks were between 520 nm – 525 nm, with PLQY between 34% -60%. Finally, CsMnBr3 NCs were synthesized revealing an intense red PL peak centered at 650 nm and a PLQY as high as 54% along with a remarkable excitation spectrum and surprisingly short lifetimes. The single crystals of this composition were also reported with a PL peak at 640 nm and a relatively high PLQY of 6.7% under the excitation at 360 nm. Further, a combination of structural and optical analysis attributed the green and red luminescence to the tetrahedral and octahedral environment of Mn2+, respectively. These materials represent a milestone towards lead-free luminescent materials with interesting optical properties. This dissertation aims at engineering different materials to address critical aspects in the field including stability and good luminescence properties while simultaneously examining the photophysics and mechanisms of the corresponding properties. This work paves the way for finding sustainable light-emitting materials for the next generation of light-emitting applications.

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With the technological improvements, the number of Internet connected devices is increasing tremendously. We also observe an increase in cyberattacks since the attackers want to use all these interconnected devices for malicious intention. Even though there exist many proactive security solutions, it is not practical to run all the security solutions on them as they have limited computational resources and even battery operated. As an alternative, Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) has become popular is because it defines boundaries and requires to monitor all events, configurations, and connections and evaluate them to enforce rejecting by default and accepting only if they are known and accepted as well as applies a continuous trust evaluation. In addition, we need to be able to respond as quickly as possible, which cannot be managed by human interaction but through autonomous computing paradigm. Therefore, in this work, we propose a framework that would implement ZTA using autonomous computing paradigm. The proposed solution, Autonomic ZTA Management Engine (AZME) framework, focusing on enforcing ZTA on network, uses a set of sensors to monitor a network, a set of user-defined policies to define which actions to be taken (through controller). We have implemented a Python prototype as a proof-of-concept that checks network packets and enforce ZTA by checking the individual source and destination based on the given policies and continuously evaluate the trust of connections. If an unaccepted connection is made, it can block the connection by creating firewall rule at runtime.

The rapid exhaustion of the finite reserves of fossil-fuels adds to the woes on all walks of the society, and especially on the policy-makers, scientists and engineers to devise means to mitigate the consequences. Reducing energy demand and grid-dependency by decentralized energy production can help improve energy security of a nation. A holistic approach to achieve these goals in the building sector could be through a shift towards fostering near zero-energy communities. This project is an initiative taken by the residents in Van Maanenblok, an urban residential block constructed in early 1930’s and situated at the heart of North-Rotterdam, to try to achieve self-sustainability in terms of energy consumption of the block through renovation. The objective of this study is to analyze the energy consumption of the block over the past three years and using the ‘Trias Energetica’ approach, investigate the extent to which self-sustainability is possible. This study also includes an overview on financial feasibility of this initiative together with identification of innovation opportunities. Passive energy reduction measures such as insulation, LED lighting-retrofits have been explored. Active renewable energy systems (RES) like solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, micro-windmills were designed and sized. Also, energy potential from Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (OFMSW) from within the block, and use ground-source heat pump to meet thermal energy has been investigated. The aforementioned technologies have been compared over certain financial parameters like net present value (NPV), payback period (PBP), and levelised cost of energy (LCOE) based on installation costs obtained from actual figures quoted by the installers and also general indicative market figures. Results of the study indicate that nearly 54% of present gas demand and 9% of electricity demand can be reduced by passive energy reduction measures alone. It would be possible to meet 42% and 54% of reduced electricity and gas demand respectively from RES. User-behaviour plays an important role in energy consumption and social factor largely determines the metamorphosis of projects with such complex setup. Renovation projects towards near zero energy buildings opens up several innovative opportunities and extended benefits to various actors, however stimulus from government is needed on financial and technical front in order to realize such ambitious initiatives.