Indoor Air Research Articles

A novel sustainable wood-based negative air anion generator utilizing in-situ polymerization of polylactic acid to reinforce the cellulose framework

The generation of negative air ions (NAI) by furniture contributes to indoor air purification and enhances the living environment. However, commercially available furniture typically relies on surface coatings to release NAI. Over time, the degradation of these coatings leads to a significant decline in NAI release performance, presenting a persistent challenge for sustained effectiveness. Here, a novel sustainable wood-based negative air anion generator (SWNG) had been developed, utilizing a cellulose framework as the substrate. The in-situ synthesis of polylactic acid (PLA) within the wood incorporated titanium dioxide (TiO2), tourmaline (TL), and cellulose acetate, firmly anchoring these materials within the wood structure. Compared to the cellulose framework alone, the NAI production of the SWNG had increased by 406.67 %. The impregnation with PLA enhanced the enduring photocatalytic activity of TiO2 and TL in this innovative wooden NAI generator. After undergoing 200 cycles of testing between −40 °C and 50 °C, it continued to sustain NAI production, demonstrating exceptional antibacterial performance. Overall, this study introduced a novel sustainable wood-based negative air ion generator as a highly stable material with sustainable properties, offering significant potential for applications in improving indoor air quality and in the domain of home construction.

A methodology for selection of solid desiccants in energy recovery ventilators

Controlling indoor humidity levels is essential for maintaining acceptable indoor air quality in buildings. The use of energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) is an energy-efficient way to regulate indoor air humidity. Fixed-bed regenerators and rotary wheels are widely used ERVs because of their high sensible and latent effectiveness. These ERVs are made of desiccant-coated substrates, which enable them to transfer moisture between the supply and exhaust air streams. However, the moisture transfer ability of ERVs depends on the physiochemical and sorption properties of desiccants. Extensive, full-scale experiments are required to determine the best desiccant material for these systems. This paper presents a simplified method of selecting suitable desiccant materials for ERVs. The methodology involves important characterization methods, literature correlations for performance prediction, and cost-effective testing methods prior to full-scale testing, and full-scale test methods are discussed in detail. Furthermore, the performance of a few newly derived materials is evaluated and compared with that of conventional desiccants such as silica gel and molecular sieves. The highest latent effectiveness was obtained for composite of super absorbent polymer (SAP) with potassium formate (SAP-HCO2K-50 %), all-polymer porous solid desiccant (APPSD) and metal organic framework (MOF)–MIL–101 (Cr), followed by activated carbon fibre felt (ACF) Silica sol-LiCl30, SAP, silica gel, MOF–303, and molecular sieve. Researchers and manufacturers would benefit from the proposed methodology and presented data in developing new desiccant materials for ERV applications.

Quantifying the Effects of Luminous Properties on Human Visual and Non-Visual Responses in Indoor Environments: An Integrative Lighting Network

Artificial lighting is a critical element in indoor environments such as offices, educational facilities, and healthcare settings. However, the dose-response relationships between luminous properties and human responses remain unclear, hindering the scientific determination of lighting parameters in indoor design. This study aims to quantify the impact of luminous properties on human visual and non-visual responses through psychophysical experiments, exploring the correlations and causal relationships between these responses and environmental factors, ultimately establishing a quantitative integrative lighting network. Within the neuroscientific framework of visual and non-visual pathways, this study hypothesizes that 18 luminous properties positively influence five typical human responses: visual preference, visual performance, fatigue, alertness, and emotion. Data were collected from 65 participants (30 males and 35 females) under 28 common indoor lighting conditions by Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS), preference scale, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), d2 Test of Attention, and fatigue scale. Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses identified significant luminous properties associated with human responses and developed optimal regression models that explained 58.7% of the variance in visual preference, 75.5% in visual performance, 57.0% in fatigue, 70.2% in alertness, and 59.0% in positive emotion. Further mediation regression analysis revealed the influence of color quality (V1) on alertness was fully mediated by the impact of spectrum on non-visual components (NV), as was the influence of light distribution and illuminance (V2) on emotion. Based on these findings, an integrative lighting network was constructed, providing essential quantitative evidence and guidelines for designing indoor lighting environments to meet diverse functional needs.

Variability in thermal comfort and behavior of elderly individuals with different levels of frailty in residential buildings during winter

Research on the indoor thermal comfort of elderly individuals has become increasingly detailed, yet studies focusing on the impact of health levels on elderly thermal comfort are still relatively scarce. Due to aging and various chronic diseases, elderly individuals exhibit different physical states, affecting their physiological regulatory functions in response to thermal environmental changes. This study aimed to validate the impact of health levels on elderly thermal comfort and behavior during winter, by employing the Fried frailty assessment method. A survey was conducted in the HSCW regions of China, gathering 1437 valid questionnaires. The analysis revealed that frailty significantly impacts the winter thermal comfort and behavior of the elderly. Specific findings include: 1) Frailer elderly individuals express greater complaints about indoor environments; 2) Frailer elderly are more dependent on heating devices; 3) Frailer elderly have higher rates of closing windows with higher Tout prompting window closure. The Tout prompting non-frailty elderly to completely close windows is 8.1°C, while for pre-frail and frail elderly, it is 16.7°C and 16.0°C, respectively; 4) Frailer elderly individuals exhibit higher Icl, with median values of 1.56 clo for non-frail, 1.68 clo for pre-frail, and 1.71 clo for frail elderly; 5) Frailer elderly individuals have lower MR daily, with median metabolic rates of 1.71 met for non-frail, 1.42 met for pre-frail, and 1.17 met for frail. This study found that the level of frailty significantly impacts the winter thermal comfort and behavior of the elderly and should be considered in future elderly-friendly architectural designs.

Dynamic thermal comfort skin temperatures of young adults during sleep and the effects of gender and sleep stage

This study aims to investigate the local skin temperatures of young adults during sleep in a thermally comfortable indoor environment (thermal sensation vote of -1 to +1). Differences in the thermal comfort skin temperatures (Tsk,tc) caused by changes in gender and sleep stage (i.e., wake, REM, light, deep) are discussed. 8-hour sleep tests were conducted involving 40 subjects (20/20 males/females). Their local skin temperatures at nine sites were recorded every minute, forming a physiological database of thermal comfort. Analysis on the collected data demonstrated significant (p<0.05) variations in local Tsk,tc both between genders and between distinct stages of sleep. Throughout the 8-hour sleep, females had higher Tsk,tc than males. Notably, this difference is most pronounced at the abdomen region, where the Tsk,tc was 0.43°C higher for females. Additionally, females had a wide range of mean Tsk,tc from 34.08°C to 34.75°C, while males had a narrow range from 33.80°C to 34.25°C. Furthermore, the Tsk,tc during the wake stage is significantly lower compared to that in the other three stages, implying skin temperature could be used as an indicator to distinguish sleep stages. Also, the variation in Tsk,tc across sleep stages is more pronounced among females than males. This research reveals gender-specific and sleep stage-related disparities in local Tsk,tc. These findings provide a scientific basis for set-point skin temperatures in thermal regulation models for sleeping. Besides, the development of personalized sleep comfort systems and indoor environment would benefit from current findings, which improves human sleep thermal comfort and quality.

MobiTangibles: Enabling Physical Manipulation Experiences of Virtual Precision Hand-Held Tools' Miniature Control in VR.

Realistic simulation for miniature control interactions, typically identified by precise and confined motions, commonly found in precision hand-held tools, like calipers, powered engravers, retractable knives, etc., are beneficial for skill training associated with these kinds of tools in virtual reality (VR) environments. However, existing approaches aiming to simulate hand-held tools' miniature control manipulation experiences in VR entail prototyping complexity and require expertise, posing challenges for novice users and individuals with limited resources. Addressing this challenge, we introduce MobiTangibles-proxies for precision hand-held tools' miniature control interactions utilizing smartphone-based magnetic field sensing. MobiTangibles passively replicate fundamental miniature control experiences associated with hand-held tools, such as single-axis translation and rotation, enabling quick and easy use for diverse VR scenarios without requiring extensive technical knowledge. We conducted a comprehensive technical evaluation to validate the functionality of MobiTangibles across diverse settings, including evaluations for electromagnetic interference within indoor environments. In a user-centric evaluation involving 15 participants across bare hands, VR controllers, and MobiTangibles conditions, we further assessed the quality of miniaturized manipulation experiences in VR. Our findings indicate that MobiTangibles outperformed conventional methods in realism and fatigue, receiving positive feedback.

Effects of Near Infrared Radiation in Ambient Lighting on Cognitive Performance, Emotion, and Heart Rate Variability

Although sunlight contains approximately equal amounts of near-infrared radiation (NIR) and visible light, NIR is absent from most present-day electric lighting systems and is filtered by energy-efficient windows. However, NIR is biologically active and is commonly applied in targeted photobiomodulation treatments for a range of cognitive, emotional, and physical conditions. Given the removal of NIR from indoor illumination, it is critical to understand how ambient NIR may influence psychological and physical health, and whether reduced exposure to NIR in indoor environments could be cause for concern. In a preregistered within-subjects double-blind experiment, acute effects of NIR and far-red wavelengths in ambient illumination on cognition, emotional state and cardiovascular health were examined in a sample of 151 university students (117 females, 34 males). During a 2-hour laboratory session, participants were monitored at rest and while engaged in cognitively demanding tasks across two counterbalanced lighting conditions. Both included 3500 K white light generated by a light-emitting diode (LED) system, while one additionally included LEDs with peak wavelengths in the NIR (875 nm, 960 nm) and far-red (735 nm) spectrum. The addition of NIR and far-red to the ambient lighting showed beneficial effects on resting high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV), HF-HRV responses to cognitive demand, and feelings of pleasure, but reduced performance on a visual search task. These findings reveal that the absence of NIR from architectural lighting influences humans at a psychological and physiological level, with implications for health and well-being that need to be balanced with energy-saving considerations.

Associations between VOCs and childhood asthma in Shanghai, China: impacts of daily behaviors

Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detected in indoor environments may have negative impacts on childhood health. However, the associations between indoor VOCs and childhood asthma, considering daily behaviors, have rarely been conducted. Based on the case-control study with field measurement, we collected air samples from 358 children’s bedrooms. Concentrations of VOCs in air samples were measured by chemical treatment and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. Logistic regression models were applied to investigate the associations between VOCs with childhood asthma. Meanwhile, stratification analysis was performed to reveal the influences of daily behaviors (window opening during night, using household chemical products, and bedroom cleaning) on the target associations. A new assessment indicator considering multiple VOCs was proposed to investigate the combined effects of multiple VOCs on childhood asthma. High concentrations of toluene (the highest adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was 2.59), o-xylene (AOR: 2.01), xylene (2.24), dodecane (the highest AOR was 2.57), pentadecane (2.82), hexadecane (2.04), α-pinene (1.99), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) (the highest AOR was 2.94), and the new indicator of aromatics (the highest AOR was 2.59) were significantly associated with childhood asthma. The daily behaviors of the residents can significantly affect the target associations, with the window opening during night having the most significant effect, followed by bedroom cleaning and using household chemical products. Families with lifetime asthmatic children may have specific avoidance behaviors for the potential environmental factors on children’s health. These behaviors could explain that VOCs exposure had significant associations with the decreased odds of childhood asthma.

Comprehensive analysis of particulate matter, gaseous pollutants, and microbiological contamination in an international chain supermarket

Indoor environmental quality is of utmost importance since urban populations spend a large proportion of their life in confined spaces. Supermarkets offer a wide range of products and services that are prone to emitting several air pollutants. This study aimed to perform a comprehensive characterisation of the indoor and outdoor air quality in a multinational supermarket, encompassing not only criteria parameters but also unregulated pollutants of concern. Monitoring included measurements of comfort parameters, CO2, multiple gaseous pollutants, particulate matter (PM10) and bioburden. PM10, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbonyls were subject to chemical speciation. Globally, the supermarket presented CO2, VOCs, and PM10 values below the limits imposed by international regulations. The PM10 concentration in the supermarket was 33.5±23.2 μg/m3, and the indoor-to-outdoor PM10 ratio was 1.76. Carbonaceous constituents represented PM10 mass fractions of 21.6% indoors and 15.3% outdoors. Due to the use of stainless-steel utensils, flour and fermentation processes, the bakery proved to be a pollution hotspot, presenting the highest concentrations of PM10 (73.1±9.16 μg/m3), PM10-bound elements (S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, and Cr) and acetaldehyde (42.7 μg/m3). The maximum tetrachloroethylene level (130 μg/m3) was obtained in the cleaning products section. The highest values of colony-forming units of bacteria and fungi were recorded in the bakery, and fruit and vegetable section. The most prevalent fungal species was Penicillium sp., corresponding to 56.9% of the total colonies. In addition, other fungal species/sections with toxicological or pathogenic potential were detected (Aspergillus sections Aspergilli, Circumdati, Flavi, Mucor and Fusarium sp.).

Investigating the performance of direct contact membrane distillation for liquid desiccant regeneration and freshwater production: A CFD-based study

Liquid desiccant air conditioning (LDAC) systems offer a promising solution for enhancing indoor thermal comfort, air quality, humidity control, and energy efficiency. This study focuses on the critical aspect of regenerating liquid desiccants in LDAC systems, which has the potential to enhance system efficiency and performance significantly. Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to model direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) for liquid desiccant regeneration and freshwater production, this research paves the way for improving the performance of LDAC systems. The DCMD process, which involves mass transfer across a membrane driven by a temperature gradient between the permeate and feed channels, is a key area of exploration in this study. The findings of this study have significant implications for the design and operation of LDAC systems. The impact of feed inlet velocity and temperature on vapor flux for liquid desiccant regeneration is substantial, with increasing the feed inlet temperature leading to a fourfold increase in water vapor flux. Similarly, increasing the feed inlet velocity boosts flux due to enhanced convective heat transfer. Membrane characteristics, such as porosity and thickness, are key determinants of system performance. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing these parameters for efficient liquid desiccant regeneration and freshwater production in LDAC systems, thereby enhancing their overall performance and energy efficiency. Finally, a mathematical model for water vapor flux was developed to investigate water vapor flux as a function of key factors such as inlet temperature, velocity, liquid desiccant concentration, and membrane characteristics.

Assessing environmental exposure to phyto-pharmaceutical products in a wine-growing area of Alsace, France: Combined indoor and outdoor air and dust sampling

Assessing environmental exposure to phyto-pharmaceutical products in a wine-growing area of Alsace, France: Combined indoor and outdoor air and dust sampling

Microplastics in indoor and outdoor environments in China: characteristic and human exposure risk assessment

Human exposure to microplastics (MPs) has led to global health concerns, but our knowledge of the characteristics and human exposure of airborne MPs is limited. Adults may have different exposure patterns and lifestyles from other age groups. Therefore, this study aims to determine the MPs exposure among adults at various locations and during different time periods. MPs were collected and detected through passive sampling and laser direct infrared (LDIR) imaging (Agilent 8700) at five locations including: dormitory, dining hall, office, library, and outdoor; the sampling lasted for 3 months. The highest concentration of indoor MPs was detected in the dining hall (193 ± 8 MPs/m2/day), whereas the lowest was detected in the library (113 ± 4 MPs/m2/day). Among all sampling points, the outdoor locations had the lowest MPs concentrations (92 ± 4 MPs/m2/day). The length of the MPs ranged from 10 μm－760 μm. Pellets (54.6%), fibres (21.6%), and fragments (23.8%) were the shapes identified in this research. Polyamide (51.7%) was the most prevalent polymer type at all sampling points. This article conducted respiratory exposure assessments of MPs for males and females of different ages (age ranges: 18－21; 21－30; 31－40; 41－60) in different environments and at different times. For both weekends and weekdays, dormitories contributed the most to MPs respiratory exposure. Males aged 31－40 years had the highest exposure with an average of 266 particles/day, whereas females aged 18－21 (157 particles/day) had the lowest exposure. Differences in respiratory rate according to age and gender may be the main reason for these results. These findings indicate that further research into the adult MPs inhalation exposure under indoor and outdoor conditions is crucial.

A closed-loop sustainable method for the fabrication of electrospun nanofiber using food waste for filtration of particulate matters (PMs) and volatile organic matter (VOCs) from air

Indoor air pollution significantly impacts human health and the environment. Humans suffer the greatest health burden due to inefficient combustion technologies and polluted fuels. Therefore, air filtration is essential for a healthy and prosperous household. This study aims to develop a sustainable approach for the fabrication of biodegradable electrospun nanofibers (ENs) as air filters from food waste materials and offer a closed-loop circular solution and potential replacement for non-biodegradable HEPA air filters. We have tested banana peel extract (BPE), eggshell membrane, chitosan, and starch blended with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for fabricating ENs. Among the nanofibers investigated for air filtration application, BPE/PVA nanofiber shows the best performance in terms of maximum particulate matter (PM) removal efficiency and minimum pressure drop while incorporating > 50 % of the food waste into the electrospinning solution. Adding BPE into a 10 % PVA solution leads to a reduction in the hydrophilic behavior of the BPE/PVA nanofiber as compared to neat 10 % PVA ENs. The BPE/PVA nanofiber shows minimum pressure drop (156–160 Pa) and highest quality factor (Qf) in comparison with other waste-derived nanofibers with > 98 % filtration efficiency of PM2.5. Further, BPE/PVA nanofiber shows the highest adsorption of xylene vapor among other food waste derived nanofibers studied. Based on the above results, it can be concluded that BPE based nanofiber shows the best performance as air filter media among all other food waste-based ENs. The study demonstrates a successful regeneration and reuse of the BPE/PVA filter up to 3 cycles. The leftover material from banana peels after BPE extraction was utilized as a soil ameliorant. It showed 55 % soil water retention (SWR) capacity, making it possible to apply in arid regions or crops with high water requirements.

Investigating the impact of crystal face on SnO2/GO-A humidity sensor via adsorption kinetics and DFT calculations

Ranging from monitoring indoor air quality to controlling processes in the food, pharmaceutical, and electronics industries, humidity-sensitive sensors play a pivotal role in various industrial and environmental applications. The crystallographic orientation of their surfaces is one of the key factors influencing the performance of metal oxide-based humidity sensors. However, the study of different crystal faces of metal oxides is rarely discussed, such as surface energy, charge distribution and reactivity, which can significantly affect their water absorption behavior and thus affect the sensitivity and response time of the humidity sensor. Hence, the present study introduces a meticulously designed SnO2/GO-A sensor that not only validates the successful fabrication of SnO2/GO-A sensor featuring optimized crystal alignment but also delves into the intricate water absorption mechanisms operative across various SnO2 crystal faces. The First-principles results show that (110) face of SnO2 is more sensitive to the water molecule than others. Consequently, due to the (110) crystal surface growth with annealing process, the SnO2/GO-A sensor demonstrates significant performance enhancements, especially in response speed, recovery time, linearity, and repeatability. In particular, the SnO2/GO-A sensor exhibiting faster response and recovery times of 20s and 18s, respectively, which is higher than SnO2 and SnO2/GO sensor. This advantage makes SnO2/GO-A sensor a potential candidate for humidity sensing applications.

Challenges and Future Directions in Evaporative Cooling: Balancing Sustainable Cooling with Microbial Safety

Evaporative cooling systems are gaining popularity due to their environmental benefits, particularly in reducing energy consumption and utilizing air (R-729) and water (R-718) as refrigerants. However, these systems are susceptible to microbial contamination, posing significant health risks, especially in environments where air is in direct contact with water. The article provides an in-depth analysis of the microbial risks associated with evaporative cooling systems, focusing on bacteria such as Legionella pneumophila, fungi, and other pathogens that can proliferate in the moist environments these systems create. While Legionella contamination is well-documented and frequently addressed, this study highlights the need for more comprehensive evaluation of other microbial risks. The research compares the microbial safety of evaporative cooling systems with that of traditional vapor compression cooling and examines the role of cooling pad materials and water quality in promoting microbial growth. It also underscores the limitations of current maintenance practices, which often overlook non-Legionella risks. To improve microbial safety, the paper proposes several mitigation strategies, including UV water treatment and heat exchanger surface modifications, to reduce microbial contamination. Additionally, the study calls for more detailed and consistent maintenance guidelines that cover a broader spectrum of microbial threats beyond Legionella, as well as regular monitoring of indoor air quality to ensure the safe operation of these systems in human-occupied spaces.Ultimately, the findings emphasize that, with improved microbial safety protocols and regular maintenance, evaporative cooling systems can become a sustainable and safe alternative to conventional cooling technologies in various environments.

Thermal performance of a double-layer pipe-embedded phase change wall system in wood structures coupled with solar energy

In this study, we propose a dual-layer, pipe-embedded phase change wall system for wooden structures that integrates sky radiation cooling and solar heat collection for cross-seasonal operation. This system harnesses renewable energy and reduces the operational energy consumption of buildings. The primary focus of this study is the performance improving of the system during winter conditions. In winter, the system captures solar energy for daytime indoor heating and load reduction and stores excess heat in phase-change material (PCM) embedded within the wooden wallboard. The stored heat is then released at night to further reduce building loads. To assess the thermal performance of the proposed wall system under winter conditions, experiments were conducted across four different scenarios and a reference system was established for comparative analysis. The results indicate that the proposed wall system significantly improves the indoor thermal environment. Specifically, this integration increased the average indoor air temperature by 6.0 °C compared to the reference system and substantially increased the temperature of the wallboard. The inclusion of PCM notably enhanced the thermal performance by reducing nighttime heat loss. Consequently, the average indoor temperature in systems equipped with PCM-enhanced wallboards was 3.0 °C higher than that in the reference system.

Effectiveness of a dynamic living wall system of plants on indoor thermal environment in summer - an experimental study

Optimizing vertical greening systems to reduce their negative impact on buildings is important to reduce energy consumption. To reduce the long-term effects of fixed living plant walls on building facades, this study proposes an optimization scheme for dynamic living plant walls (DLWS). By combining dynamic building facades with living plant walls, this study analyzes the effectiveness of DLWS, fixed living plant walls (LWS), and dynamic shading sails (DSS) in regulating indoor temperature and humidity through controlled experiments. The results showed that DLWS and LWS had the same effect on cooling, reducing the average indoor temperature by 3.6°C during the daytime. Further, DLWS was able to increase the indoor air humidity within the appropriate range, which was lower than the LWS humidity by 6.9 RH. DLWS had a better cooling effect compared to DSS, and DLWS can reduce the indoor temperature by 2.7. The results authenticate the performance advantages and the possibility of applying dynamic plant living walls in practice.

Enhanced photo-assisted thermal catalytic oxidation of formaldehyde via abundant surface adsorbed oxygen in Co3O4 with the assistance of natural zeolite

Photo-assisted catalytic oxidation is a promising and sustainable method for the formaldehyde (HCHO) degradation. Catalyst loading and surface adsorbed oxygen species are common strategies to enhance the efficiency of photo-assisted catalytic oxidation. In this work, acid-treated zeolite-based natural zeolites (mordenite and stellerite) were used as supports, to obtain Co3O4-natural zeolite composites by impregnation and MOF-templated methods. Under the combined action of visible light irradiation and heat condition, the photo-assisted thermal catalytic performance of different composites was determined. Among these composites, the Co-AS (Co3O4-acid-treated stellerite) composite exhibited the best HCHO mineralization performance. The use of acid-treated stellerite as a catalyst carrier effectively reduced the crystallite size of Co3O4, improved its dispersibility, and increased the surface adsorbed oxygen species, contributing to enhanced catalytic efficiency. The in-situ DRIFTs results showed that the main intermediates of photo-assisted thermal catalysis degradation were dioxymethylene (DOM) and HCOO-. Additionly, the reusability performance of the composites was also investigated. Experimental results showed that the composite had good photo-assisted thermal catalytic performance and durability, making it a promising catalyst for indoor air purification.

Optimized design and comparative analysis of double-glazed photovoltaic windows for enhanced light harvesting and energy efficiency in cold regions of China

This study investigates the daylighting performance and energy efficiency optimization strategies of double-glazed photovoltaic windows (DS-STPV) in cold regions of China. By conducting a comprehensive comparative analysis with traditional and energy-efficient window systems, this research aims to identify high-efficiency building solutions tailored to extreme climatic conditions. Amidst the escalating global energy demand and the pressing need for energy conservation and emission reduction, Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) technology is increasingly recognized for its potential and value as a critical method for harnessing green energy. However, the widespread adoption of BIPV technology faces several challenges, including cost-effectiveness, conversion efficiency, system stability, and architectural aesthetic integration. Utilizing the T&A House from the 3rd International Solar Decathlon as an empirical case study, this research employs Ecotect and DesignBuilder simulation software to systematically evaluate the daylighting effect and energy performance of DS-STPV. The analysis considers various key design parameters, including photovoltaic cell coverage, window orientation, and window-to-wall ratio. Through refined modeling and multi-dimensional analysis, this study aims to identify the optimal design configurations of DS-STPV windows in cold regions, with the goal of simultaneously achieving superior natural lighting quality and significant building energy efficiency. The findings indicate that a south-facing DS-STPV window design with approximately 30% photovoltaic cell coverage and a window-to-wall ratio of 30% effectively balances daylighting requirements and energy efficiency in cold regions of China. This design strategy not only ensures an abundance of natural light in the room, but also significantly reduces the building’s energy consumption, proving the superior performance of DS-STPV windows in cold climates. In addition, the unique optical properties of DS-STPV windows reduce glare, further improving the overall quality of the indoor environment. In summary, this study provides a robust scientific foundation for the application of DS-STPV windows in cold regions, offering practical guidance and reference for optimizing energy efficiency and facilitating green transformation in future building design.

Intelligent Colour-Matching Optimization Strategy of the Indoor Environment Under the Fusion of Big Data and CAD Technology

Intelligent Colour-Matching Optimization Strategy of the Indoor Environment Under the Fusion of Big Data and CAD Technology