Ideal Smart Research Articles

Dynamic data processing for building energy consumption

With the growing attention to smart buildings, local governments are seeking practical ways to optimize the energy consumption of commercial buildings. An ideal smart building is capable of monitoring its own energy consumption and adjusting the operation of electric devices, being lighting and air conditioners, based on the occupant behaviour. In this study, data had been obtained from the monitoring sensors in a commercial building located in the heart of Sydney from 2013 until 2020 on a 15-minute time intervals. The data derivation and analysis are intrinsically static at the moment which makes it difficult for building management to make instantaneous decision regarding the measures to be taken for a lower energy consumption. Using data analysis and visualization tools in Tableau, this study provides detailed insights about the trends in energy consumption in the given building. The outcomes facilitate the decision making for building management and can be seen as a milestone towards a dynamic optimization protocol in a bigger picture which is introduced in the second part of this study.

Programing polyurethane with rational surface-modified graphene platelets for shape memory actuators and dielectric elastomer generators

The filler network in smart nanocomposites is capable of dictating the strain actuation and electric generation behaviour in shape-memory and dielectric-elastomer systems, respectively. Noteworthy, the dissipation parameters, such as loss modulus and dielectric loss, are the critical criteria for designing an ideal smart polymeric composite. For manipulating dissipation parameters, we developed three types of nanofiller, including (I) simple graphene-oxide (GO), (II) reduced graphene-oxide (rGO), and (III) noncovalent-factionalized graphene with (polyamine-anchored)-perylene-bisimide (XGO). After fabrication of poly-urethane (PU) nanocomposites at various filler loading, the robust correlation between microstructure, electrical and mechanical, including static and dynamic (linear and nonlinear viscoelasticity), properties of nanocomposites has been deduced. These smart polymeric nanocomposites demonstrate the capability of shape-memory actuating as well as harvesting the electric energy from mechanical work. First and foremost, the harvested-energy-density of PU was meaningfully improved when blended with XGO. A composite-film containing 5 wt% XGO with the harvested energy density of 2.97 mJ/cm3 was achieved, which is about 6.7 times superior to that of pristine PU. Furthermore, the shape-memory recovery ratio of functionalized 2 wt%-nanocomposite significantly improved from 86.2% for pure PU to 93.4% for the XGO sample. The observations in this work strongly suggest compositing is an auspicious-way to provide proper shape-memory actuator and better dielectric-elastomer candidates for forthcoming practical generators.

A Comprehensive Review on Internet of Things (IoT) and its Implications in the Mining Industry

The integration of computer-based technologies interacting with industrial machines or home appliances through an interconnected network, for teleoperation, workflow control, switching to autonomous mode, or collecting data automatically using a variety of sensors, is known as Internet of Things (IoT). When applied inside an industrial context, it is possible to immediately benefit from the analytics obtained, contributing to process optimization, machine health, the safety of workers and asset management. IoT can assist real-time platforms in remotely monitoring and operating a complex production system with minimal intervention of humans. Hence it can be beneficial for hazardous industries, such as mining, by increasing the safety of personnel and equipment while reducing operation costs. An ideal smart automated mine could potentially be achievable by gradually taking advantage of IoT. Currently, different sensors are used in mine-related activities, such as geophones in exploration and blast control, piezometers in dewatering and toxic gas detectors in working frontlines. However, a fully integrated automated system is challenging in practice due to infrastructural limitations in communication, data management and storage. Moreover, the tendency of mining companies to continue with traditional methods instead of relying on untested novel techniques decelerates this progress. In this study, the adaptability of the mining industry to IoT systems and its current development is reviewed. Significant challenges of this progress are investigated and recommendations to develop a comprehensive model suited for different mining sections such as exploration, operation and safety considering flexible technologies such as Wireless Sensor Networks and the introduction of Global Data Management.

Improvement of multiple-responsive shape memory effects of wool through increasing the content of disulfide bonds

As an ideal smart wearable natural material, α-keratin type mammalian hairs have proved to exhibit multiple-responsive shape memory effects under water, wet, xenon and redox stimuli, in which the inherent disulfide bonds played the roles of either netpoints or switching units. Accordingly, here in this work, we proposed to increase the content of disulfide bonds of representative mammalian hairs - wool fibers, which are widely used in daily life, by means of three chemical methods so as to improve their multiple-responsive shape memory effects. On the basis of systematic researches, it was found that the treatment with cystamine gave the highest efficiency of introducing disulfide bonds due to full use of the free functional groups of wool, while the valuable crystalline phases of wool were nearly not affected. As a result, the cystamine modified wool fibers possessed greater shape recovery ratio under water and heat conditions, and larger shape fixation ratio under xenon and redox conditions, in comparison with the untreated version. The mechanisms involved were carefully analyzed. The application scope of the on-demand programmed wool in intelligent fabrics and textiles would thus be broadened.

Stimuli‐Responsive Polypeptide‐Based Supramolecular Hydrogels Mediated by Ca2+ Ion Cross‐Linking

Summary of main observation and conclusionHydrogels cross‐linked with metal ions (e.g., Ca2+) represent a promising class of bioinspired materials for a wide range of biomedical applications. Herein, we report a facile approach to obtain cross‐linked stimuli‐responsive supramolecular polypeptide hydrogels. The hydrogel is prepared by statistical/block copoly(L‐glutamate)s based copolymers cross‐linked with calcium ions. The incorporation of both oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) and glutamic acid residues in the polymer offers thermal‐responsive property and cooperative binding sites with Ca2+ ions simultaneously. We present a systematic study of the influence of calcium ions on the gelation behaviors of these copolymers. It is observed that the addition of calcium ions induces the formation of hydrogels. Increasing the concentration of Ca2+ ions can significantly enhance the gelation ability of the samples as indicated by increased storage modulus and decreased sol‐to‐gel transition temperature (Tsol‐gel). We further demonstrate that the influence of monomer distribution on the gelation behavior is trivial, which is possibly due to similar morphology of the self‐assemblies. The obtained hydrogels exhibit thermal‐responsive gelation behavior mediated by ion cross‐linking, which enables them to be ideal smart hydrogel system for many applications.

Understanding Technological Competitiveness and Supply Chain Deepening in Plastic Auto Components in Thailand: Possible Lessons for South Africa

The sectoral study conducted during the first year of the Industrial Development Think Tank identified Thailand as a major international automotive hub to utilise as an effective comparator (see Black, et al., 2018). In particular, Thailand was reported as an example to look at with regard to auto policies, supply chain and cluster development, and for relatively high technological competitiveness. The present paper explores all these dimensions along with understanding the extent of the roles of multinational capital and state bargaining as well as the presence of a strong regional market. This is done in an attempt to derive policy lessons that can aid in the strengthening of South Africa’s local auto supply chain. Along these lines, the current debates on the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), and on its application to an ideal smart factory, brings to the fore a need to understand a broad range of technologies as well as their implications for the gains to productivity in different industries. Thus, 4IR has is seen as having the potential to create entirely new markets, and with them new jobs, that did not exist before. Furthermore, it is seen as potentially facilitating the fast-tracked deepening of supply chains, which can allow for greater levels of integration into international markets.

Biomarkers and smart intracranial devices for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of high-grade gliomas: a review of the literature and future prospects.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain neoplasm with median overall survival (OS) around 15 months. There is a dearth of effective monitoring strategies for patients with high-grade gliomas. Relying on magnetic resonance images of brain has its challenges, and repeated brain biopsies add significant morbidity. Hence, it is imperative to establish a less invasive way to diagnose, monitor, and guide management of patients with high-grade gliomas. Currently, multiple biomarkers are in various phases of development and include tissue, serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and imaging biomarkers. Here we review and summarize the potential biomarkers found in blood and CSF, including extracellular macromolecules, extracellular vesicles, circulating tumor cells, immune cells, endothelial cells, and endothelial progenitor cells. The ability to detect tumor-specific biomarkers in blood and CSF will potentially not only reduce the need for repeated brain biopsies but also provide valuable information about the heterogeneity of tumor, response to current treatment, and identify disease resistance. This review also details the status and potential scope of brain tumor-related cranial devices and implants including Ommaya reservoir, microelectromechanical systems-based depot device, Alzet mini-osmotic pump, Metronomic Biofeedback Pump (MBP), ipsum G1 implant, ultra-thin needle implant, and putative devices. An ideal smart cranial implant will overcome the blood-brain barrier, deliver various drugs, provide access to brain tissue, and potentially measure and monitor levels of various biomarkers.

Supramolecular strategy for smart windows.

Smart windows are a promising solution to improve energy-saving efficiency and indoor comfort due to their potential functionalities including solar modulation, coloration, self-cleaning, self-power, and moisture scavenging. Recently, smart windows constructed by a supramolecular strategy have attracted increasing attention due to the inherent dynamic, reversible and adaptive properties of noncovalent interactions, which can endow the fabricated smart windows with desired fascinating functionalities. In this review, emerging supramolecular strategy-based materials are outlined and their applications for fabricating smart windows are summarized. Mechanisms and properties of the functional supramolecular materials are demonstrated, especially their solar modulation ability and color change effect. Challenges and opportunities for the supramolecular strategy-based materials are also discussed for future innovation in the development of ideal smart windows.

Dual thermal- and pH-responsive polypeptide-based hydrogels

Smart hydrogels have received increasing attention for their great potential for the applications in many fields. Herein, we report a facile approach to prepare a class of dual-responsive hydrogels assembled from synthetic statistical/block thermal-responsive copoly(L-glutamate)s copolymerized with poly(ethylene glycol), which were prepared by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and post-modification strategy. The incorporation of oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) and glutamic acid residues offers the gels with thermal- and pH-responsive properties simultaneously. We have systematically studied the influence of both temperature and pH on the gelation behaviors of these copolymers. It is found that the increase of glutamic acid content and solution pH values can significantly suppress the gelation ability of the samples. Circular dichroism (CD) results show that the α-helix conformation appears to be the dominant secondary conformation. More interestingly, the gelation property of the block copolymer with statistical thermal-responsive copoly(L-glutamate)s shows greater dependence on pH as compared to that with block segments due to the distinct morphology of the self-assemblies. The obtained hydrogels exhibit pH-dependent and thermal-responsive gelation behaviors, which enable them as an ideal smart hydrogel system for biomedical applications.

Facile and Low-Temperature Fabrication of Thermochromic Cr2O3/VO2 Smart Coatings: Enhanced Solar Modulation Ability, High Luminous Transmittance and UV-Shielding Function

In the pursuit of energy efficient materials, vanadium dioxide (VO2) based smart coatings have gained much attention in recent years. For smart window applications, VO2 thin films should be fabricated at low temperature to reduce the cost in commercial fabrication and solve compatibility problems. Meanwhile, thermochromic performance with high luminous transmittance and solar modulation ability, as well as effective UV shielding function has become the most important developing strategy for ideal smart windows. In this work, facile Cr2O3/VO2 bilayer coatings on quartz glasses were designed and fabricated by magnetron sputtering at low temperatures ranging from 250 to 350 °C as compared with typical high growth temperatures (>450 °C). The bottom Cr2O3 layer not only provides a structural template for the growth of VO2 (R), but also serves as an antireflection layer for improving the luminous transmittance. It was found that the deposition of Cr2O3 layer resulted in a dramatic enhancement of the solar modulation ability (56.4%) and improvement of luminous transmittance (26.4%) when compared to single-layer VO2 coating. According to optical measurements, the Cr2O3/VO2 bilayer structure exhibits excellent optical performances with an enhanced solar modulation ability (ΔTsol = 12.2%) and a high luminous transmittance (Tlum,lt = 46.0%), which makes a good balance between ΔTsol and Tlum for smart windows applications. As for UV-shielding properties, more than 95.8% UV radiation (250-400 nm) can be blocked out by the Cr2O3/VO2 structure. In addition, the visualized energy-efficient effect was modeled by heating a beaker of water using infrared imaging method with/without a Cr2O3/VO2 coating glass.

Using Intrinsic Intracrystalline Tunnels for Near‐Infrared and Visible‐Light Selective Electrochromic Modulation

Dual‐band electrochromic composite materials are of utmost importance in advancing the electrochromic field toward achieving the ideal smart window with independent control over visible and near‐infrared (NIR) radiation. However, such composites usually need deliberate architecting of their mesoscale structure (e.g., via block copolymer‐templating method) to make the electrolyte contact with both NIR and visible‐light modulating components. Herein, instead of arduously making exterior pores, the intrinsic structural tunnels are utilized directly in electrochromic materials to facilitate the accommodation and transportation of insertion ions, which permit the infiltration of the electrolyte to be in contact with both visible (Prussian blue) and NIR‐light modulating components (nonstoichiometric tungsten oxide). Such simple‐fabricated composite materials exhibit excellent dual‐band electrochromic performance with an unprecedented dynamic optical range for modulation of visible and NIR light, up to 71.2% at 633 nm and 64.8% at 1600 nm, respectively.

PH-Responsive Peptide Supramolecular Hydrogels with Antibacterial Activity.

Smart hydrogels have received increasing attention for many applications. Here, we synthesized a class of cationic peptide amphiphiles that can self-assemble into hydrogels by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and post-modification strategy. The incorporation of cationic lysine residues suppresses the formation of fibril-like structure and further the gelation ability of the samples. Sodium alginate (SA) is used to enhance the rheology performance of the hydrogels. The hydrogels exhibit pH-dependent self-assembly and the gelation behavior that enables them to be ideal smart hydrogel systems for biomedical applications. Furthermore, the as-prepared hybrid peptide hydrogels show antibacterial activity.

Stimuli-responsive chitosan-based nanocarriers for cancer therapy.

Introduction: Stimuli-responsive nanocarriers offer unique advantages over the traditional drug delivery systems (DDSs) in terms of targeted drug delivery and on-demand release of cargo drug molecules. Of these, chitosan (CS)-based DDSs offer several advantages such as high compatibility with biological settings. Methods: In this study, we surveyed the literature in terms of the stimuli-responsive nanocarriers and discussed the most recent advancements in terms of CS-based nanosystems and their applications in cancer therapy and diagnosis. Results: These advanced DDSs are able to release the entrapped drugs in response to a specific endogenous stimulus (e.g., pH, glutathione concentration or certain enzymes) or exogenous stimulus (e.g., temperature, light, ultrasound, and magnetic field) at the desired time and target site. Dual-responsive nanocarriers by the combination of different stimuli have also been developed as efficient and improved DDSs. Among the stimuli-responsive nanocarriers, CS-based DDSs offer several advantages, including biocompatibility and biodegradability, antibacterial activity, ease of modification and functionalization, and non-immunogenicity. They are as one of the most ideal smart multifunction DDSs. Conclusion: The CS-based stimuli-responsive multifunctional nanosystems (NSs) offer unique potential for the targeted delivery of anticancer agents and provide great potential for on-demand and controlled-release of anticancer agents in response to diverse external/internal stimuli.

Ionic and thermo-switchable polymer-masked mesoporous silica drug-nanocarrier: High drug loading capacity at 10 °C and fast drug release completion at 40 °C

The preparation of the ideal smart drug-delivery systems were successfully achieved by the in situ co-polymerization of a vinyl group-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticle (f-MSN) with 1-butyl-3-vinyl imidazolium bromide (BVIm) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) monomers. The thickness of the capping copolymer layer, poly(NIPAAm-co-BVIm) (p-NIBIm), was controlled at between 2.5nm and 5nm, depending on the monomers/f-MSN ratio in the reaction solution. The finally obtained smart drug-delivery systems are named as p-MSN2.5 and p-MSN5.0 (MSNs integrated by 2.5nm and 5nm p-NIBIm layer in thickness). The key roles of the mesoporous-silica-nanoparticle (MSN) core and the p-NIBIm shell are drug-carrying (or containing) and pore-capping, respectively, and the latter has an on/off function that operates in accordance with temperature changes. According to the swelling- or shrinking-responses of the smart capping copolymer to temperature changes between 10°C and 40°C, the loading and releasing patterns of the model drug cytochrome c were studied in vitro. The developed system showed interesting performances such as a cytochrome-c-loading profile (loading capacity for 3h=26.3% and 19.8% for p-MSN2.5 and p-MSN5.0, respectively) at 10°C and a cytochrome-c-releasing profile (releasing efficiency=>95% within 3 days and 4 days for p-MSN2.5 and p-MSN5.0, respectively) at 40°C. The cytotoxicity of the drug delivery systems, p-MSN2.5 and p-MSN5.0 (in the concentration range of <0.125mg/mL without drug), for human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells were minimal in vitro compared with that of a blank MSN. These results may be reasonably applied in the field of specified drug delivery.

Renewable energy integration in smart grids-multicriteria assessment using the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process

Unlike the traditional way of efficiency assessment of renewable energy sources integration, the smart grid concept is introducing new goals and objectives regarding increased use of renewable electricity sources, grid security, energy conservation, energy efficiency, and deregulated energy market. Possible benefits brought by renewable sources integration are evaluated by the degree of the approach to the ideal smart grid. In this paper, fuzzy analytical hierarchy process methodology for the integration efficiency has been proposed, taking into account the presence of multiple criteria of both qualitative and quantitative nature, different performance indicators, and the uncertain environment of the smart grid. The methodology has been illustrated on the choice of the size and location of a distributed generator in the radial distribution feeder.

ChemInform Abstract: Nanostructured Electrochromic Smart Windows: Traditional Materials and NIR‐Selective Plasmonic Nanocrystals

AbstractReview: 93 refs.