This study investigates the ecological civilization literacy of Visual Communication Design majors in Zhejiang Province. It develops a competency-based online curriculum to strengthen students’ knowledge, skills, and values related to sustainable design. Using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, the research was conducted in five stages: diagnostic analysis, needs assessment, competency modeling, curriculum development, and expert-guided iterative optimization. Quantitative data were collected from 336 students and 307 graduates, revealing a structurally imbalanced profile characterized by strong ecological attitudes, moderate conceptual understanding, and weak behavioral competence. Qualitative data from faculty (n = 24), employers (n = 25), and experts (n = 24) further indicated fragmentation in current ecological instruction, misalignment between educational supply and industry requirements, and a strong demand for project-based and context-relevant learning experiences. Based on Delphi consultation and content analysis, the study constructed the “Three Dimensions–Nine Competencies” ecological civilization literacy model, which integrates ecological knowledge, sustainable design skills, and value-oriented professional ethics. Guided by Competency-Based Education (CBE) and backward design principles, an online course titled Ecology and Vision: Integrating Sustainable Design Competencies was developed. The curriculum comprises 64 hours across four modules, incorporating localized Zhejiang case studies, interdisciplinary resources, PBL-driven rural revitalization projects, learning analytics, and diversified assessment aligned with the K–S–V competency framework. Expert review demonstrated the curriculum's high validity and feasibility (IOC averages 0.89–0.95; satisfaction scores 4.3–4.6/5). Through iterative refinement, the final model presents a scalable pathway for integrating ecological civilization education into design disciplines. The study contributes a theoretical framework, a methodological model, and a practical solution to advancing sustainability-oriented design education in Chinese higher education institutions. It also provides a transferable curriculum development paradigm for other regions and disciplines seeking to integrate ecological civilization into professional training.

Rural buildings in northwestern Hunan face multiple challenges in achieving a green and low-carbon transition, including fragile ecological environments, limited access to resources, and strong cultural preservation demands-rendering existing urban-based green building strategies largely inapplicable. To address these issues, this study develops an integrated evaluation framework combining Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), aiming to facilitate the green transformation of rural architecture in the region. Based on field surveys and simulation modeling of 24 sample buildings, findings indicate that carbon emissions across the building lifecycle are predominantly concentrated in the material production and operational phases, jointly accounting for over 85% of total emissions. Among the three building types, traditional timber dwellings exhibit the lowest total carbon footprint (34,875.5-47,184.0 kg CO₂-eq), followed by modern energy-efficient houses (91,284.0-117,908.5 kg CO₂-eq), while brick-timber hybrid structures show the highest emissions (99,300.0-139,020.0 kg CO₂-eq). AHP-based weight analysis identifies "Resource Efficiency" and "Environmental Livability" as the two most influential dimensions, with a combined weight of 0.699, underscoring their pivotal role in shaping green performance. Accordingly, the study proposes differentiated low-carbon optimization pathways: traditional buildings should focus on utilizing locally sourced low-carbon materials and passive ventilation strategies; modern structures should prioritize operational energy efficiency; and brick-timber hybrids require targeted energy retrofit interventions. The results validate the scientific robustness of the LCA-AHP hybrid model and enhance its regional applicability through localized parameter adjustments, offering a quantitative foundation and optimized pathway for advancing sustainable rural building design in ecologically sensitive areas.

This project proposes the development of an AI-powered mobile application designed to promote sustainable living through creative up-cycling and efficient recycling. The app empowers users to transform everyday waste and unused items into functional or artistic creations by leveraging artificial intelligence for idea generation, material recognition, and step-by-step guidance. Users can scan objects using their phone camera, and the app identifies the material and suggests personalized DIY projects based on skill level, available tools, and environmental impact. It also connects users to local recycling information and sustainability tips. By merging environmental consciousness with AI technology, the app fosters a culture of reuse, reduces landfill waste, and encourages community-driven innovation in sustainable design. This AI-powered mobile application is designed to make eco-friendly living easy and accessible in everyday life. By simply taking a photo of an item—like an old T-shirt, a glass jar, or leftover packaging—the app instantly identifies the material and suggests creative up cycling or recycling ideas tailored to the user's lifestyle, skill level, and available tools. Whether it’s turning a plastic bottle into a plant holder or finding the nearest recycling point, the app offers quick, practical, and sustainable solutions for daily use. With built-in tutorials, material tips, and local recycling info, the app becomes a personal eco-assistant—helping users make greener choices effortlessly, one item at a time

Urban Cool Island effect through innovative architecture and sustainable urban design

Do geopolitical shocks threaten ESG sustainability uncertainty? Insights from individual G7 economies via wavelet and quantile-based approaches.

Hybrid NSGA-III and surrogate model framework for sustainable concrete mix design: Balancing strength, energy, and carbon

Taming the algal toxicity of black phosphorus nanosheets: Fulvic acid as both accomplice and antidote in aquatic environments.

A two-stage retrieval-augmented generation framework for producing sustainable product design guidelines

Hydrogen-based direct reduction of multicomponent oxides: Insights from powder and pre-sintered precursors toward sustainable alloy design

Sustainable design of rubberised geopolymer-based ultra-high performance concrete using waste tyres: Mechanical, microstructural, and environmental evaluation

Sustainable design of PV-assisted electric bus depots with charger sharing for private EVs: A case study in Istanbul, Türkiye

Sustainable design of green-functionalized -conjugated BTBF-DPA derivatives for high-mobility hole transport

Sustainability has evolved from a supplementary consideration in architecture to a central pillar of design practice, particularly within leading global firms. This paper examines the convergence of sustainable strategies and design management processes across innovative architectural practices, focusing on case studies of Foster + Partners, ZGF Architects, and Haptic Architects. These firms represent diverse application contexts: desert urbanism in the Middle East, adaptive reuse in Sydney, and government renovation projects in North America. By analyzing their design approaches, performance metrics, and project outcomes, the study highlights how sustainable integration is not just a technical exercise but also a managerial and cultural challenge. Design management emerges as a necessary driver of success, harmonizing the creative ambitions of designers, the pragmatic expectations of clients, sustainability certification frameworks, and measurable performance outcomes. The cases reveal that sustainability thrives when interdisciplinary collaboration is strategically managed, when advanced digital tools are utilized to track and simulate outcomes, and when life-cycle perspectives define the design process from conception to occupancy. The paper further interrogates challenges including cost barriers, technological uncertainty, and inconsistent regulatory frameworks, emphasizing that sustaining innovation requires long-term engagement, iterative learning, and a client culture oriented toward environmental responsibility. As architecture confronts the climate crisis, design management is positioned not as an administrative backdrop but as a transformative methodology that aligns creative vision with environmental necessity. The research concludes by identifying strategies of replicability across firms and contexts, suggesting pathways for global best practices and advancing discourse toward sustainable architectural paradigms for the 21st century.

Raising the charging cutoff voltage is a well-established approach to enhance the energy density of LiCoO2 (LCO) cathodes, known for their high bulk energy density, in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, their practical implementation under high-voltage conditions remains limited by interphase instability and bulk structural degradation. Herein, an innovative application of low-cost and water-soluble sodium humate (NaHA) is proposed, traditionally employed in aquaculture and pharmaceuticals, as a multifunctional binder for high-voltage LCO cathodes. Enriched with ─COOH and ─OH functional groups, NaHA not only forms robust hydrogen bonds with the LCO surface, enabling uniform coating on LCO particles, but also promotes a protective interphase microenvironment. More importantly, NaHA facilitates lattice-cognate in situ trace Na doping into the LCO bulk lattice during cycling, effectively enhancing its structural stability. This dual modification strategy, combining surface confinement and bulk reinforcement, endows LCO cathodes with ultra-stable electrochemical performance, retaining 95.1% capacity after 1700 cycles at 4.45V and 87.1% over 1000 cycles at 4.5V. Moreover, the water solubility of NaHA simplifies end-of-life electrode disassembly and promotes recyclability, supporting sustainable battery design. This binder-directed strategy offers a scalable, eco-friendly, and efficient binder-based stabilization route for high-voltage LCO cathodes, paving the way for the development of high-specific-energy LIBs.

The fashion industry is a rapidly growing sector that also contributes to increasing textile waste, one of which is fabric scraps. Often perceived as worthless, fabric scraps have great potential to be transformed into functional and aesthetic products. This study aims to explore the utilization of fabric scraps through quilting techniques in developing sustainable outerwear designs. The research uses a qualitative exploratory method with the M.A.C.A.K approach (Material, Tools, Method, Attributes, and Context). The results show that fabric scraps can be processed into textured and layered materials suitable for outerwear design. The resulting products are jackets and vests developed under the concepts of nature- inspired fashion and sheer layering, emphasizing aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability.

This paper examines the developmental trajectory of age-friendly design from early barrier-free principles to contemporary intelligent ageing environments. Drawing upon international scholarship, ageing-policy developments, and advances in interactive technologies, the study identifies a three-stage evolution consisting of accessibility-oriented design, usability and dignity-centered design, and intelligent empowerment design. It further analyzes four underlying mechanisms—physiological, cognitive, emotional, and technological—that shape older adults’ interaction with built and digital environments. The findings demonstrate that age-friendly design has shifted from compensatory modifications toward proactive, adaptive, and capability-enhancing systems. The study argues that future age-friendly environments must integrate human–technology co-adaptation, emotional well-being, and long-term autonomy as core objectives. This integrated framework provides theoretical grounding for developing intelligent, inclusive, and sustainable design strategies that support meaningful later-life experiences.

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the usability and effectiveness of the Design for Amelioration (DfA) tool in an educational setting, examining its reception among industrial design students, its impact on the design process and areas for potential improvement. Design/methodology/approach A cohort of second- and third-year industrial design students applied the DfA tool in their studio projects over a 12-week period, using its structured framework to guide their decision-making. By incorporating people, planet and profit, the tool encouraged students to balance social responsibility, environmental impact and economic viability in their designs. After project completion, focus group discussions were conducted to gather insights into students’ experiences. Findings The findings indicate that the DfA tool was well-received, with students finding it accessible and beneficial in structuring their design process around sustainability. They appreciated its ability to promote holistic thinking across the three sustainability pillars, though they suggested refinements such as greater flexibility between stages and optional weightings for each pillar. Originality/value This study underscores the importance of structured sustainability tools in design education and provides insights into how tools like the DfA can be refined to enhance pedagogical impact. The findings contribute to sustainable design education discourse and highlight the role of usability-focused tools in shaping future design practices.

This study investigates how Malaysian residents select hygienic interior floor finishes to support sustainable living environments. Recognizing flooring’s impact on health, comfort, and safety particularly in tropical climates prone to moisture and allergens. This research addresses a critical gap in existing literature by examining hygienic material selection in Malaysian residential interiors. Using a Kruskal–Wallis test on data from 314 respondents across 11 residential areas in the Kinta District, the study reveals that residents prioritize durability, ease of maintenance, and hygiene. Materials such as tiles, timber, marble, carpet, mosaic, and vinyl are selected based on performance in specific spaces. Bacteria-resistant marble and dust-free timber are preferred in living areas, while fire-resistant mosaic and vinyl enhance safety. The findings highlight the influence of emotional and functional factors on flooring preferences. This research contributes to sustainable design practices, aligning with Malaysia’s GBI and QLASSIC systems, and adds insights to post-pandemic health-oriented material selection in tropical environments.

Sustainable Peptide synthesis and design: Integrating green synthesis and computational tools

Abstract The construction sector remains one of the most resource‐ and carbon‐intensive industries worldwide, driving the need for sustainable transformation through material innovation, digital optimization, and effective governance. Despite significant research progress, fragmentation across these domains continues to limit systemic impact. This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric‐assisted review of 1232 publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection between 2015 and 2024 to map the intellectual structure and evolution of sustainable construction and energy management research. Using VOSviewer for co‐authorship, citation, and keyword co‐occurrence analyses, the study identifies three dominant thematic clusters: (i) Barriers and Strategic Frameworks for Energy Transition, (ii) Material and Waste‐Based Environmental Impact, and (iii) Digital Tools and Optimization in Green Building Design. The results reveal that while material and digital innovations are advancing rapidly, their integration with policy and socio‐behavioral frameworks remains weak, constraining large‐scale implementation. Emerging trends highlight the growing convergence of circular economy, BIM–LCA interoperability, and AI‐assisted optimization, yet the absence of harmonized data standards and regulatory interoperability prevents these technologies from achieving measurable sustainability outcomes. To address this gap, the study proposes an integrative framework that links governance, digitalization, and material innovation through data‐driven verification mechanisms, promoting transparent and actionable pathways toward net‐zero construction.