Rosana Caram

Electrochromic Properties of Sol-gel Coating of Nb2O5 and Nb2O5:Li+

Thin solid films of Nb2O5 and Nb2O5:Li+ were prepared by the sol-gel process using the sonocatalytic method. The films reported here were prepared from a NbCl5 as precursor and butanol as solvent. Through the addition of lithium salt LiCF3SO3 to the precursor solution, films with different electrochemical performance were obtained. The electrochemical and optical responses of the films were determined from the cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry measurements using a 0.1 M LiClO4/PC as electrolyte. The electrochromic properties of the films were investigated using in situ spectroelectrochemical method. They exhibit a gray coloration under Li+ insertion with a reversible variation of the transmittance in the visible and near infrared range between 20% and 80%.

Glazing daylighting performance and Trombe wall thermal performance of a modular façade system in four different Portuguese cities

The need to reduce energy consumption in buildings leads to the development of new façade systems that can be energy efficient; thus, contributing significantly to heat transfer between outdoor and indoor spaces. Here, the versatility and flexibility of the modules are key attributes. For this purpose, this study focused on the thermal performance of Trombe walls and glazings and the glazing daylighting performance of a modular façade system in four different Portuguese cities. Computational simulations for the thermal performance of different arrangements of the modules were accomplished with the DesignBuilder software, while the glazing daylighting performance was studied by means of Ecotect and Desktop Radiance software, and compared with the transmittance curves of glazings. Occupancy profile and internal gains were fixed according to the Portuguese reality for both studies. The main characteristics considered in this research were the use of two double glazings, four different Portuguese climates and one or two Trombe walls in the façade. According to results, the use of Trombe walls and double self-cleaning glazing in the façade showed an important reduction in the energy consumption as well as better daylighting performance.

A system for evaluating the impact of noise pollution on the population's health

Abstract The aim of this study was to develop a support sys-tem for the evaluation of noise pollution, applied to the central urban area of Rio Claro, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Data were obtained from noise measurements and interviews with the population, generating the following indicators: equivalent sound level ( L eq ), traf-fic noise index ( L TNI ), and a participatory diagnosis ( D p ), integrated through a fuzzy inference system ( FIS ). The proposed system allowed classifying the measure-ment points according to the degree of impact of noise pollution on the population’s health ( I PS ) in the study area. Impact was considered significant in 31.4% of the measurement points and very significant in 62.9%. The FIS can be adjusted to local conditions, allowing generalization and thus also supporting noise pollu-tion evaluation and respective environmental noise management in other geographic areas.Fuzzy Logic; Sound Contamination; Noise Effects Resumen El objetivo del trabajo fue desarrollar un sistema de apoyo a la evaluacion de la contaminacion acustica, aplicado en la zona central de Rio Claro, Sao Paulo, Brasil. Con este fin, se obtuvieron datos mediante me-diciones sonoras y entrevistas a la poblacion, generan-do como indicadores el nivel sonoro equivalente (O objetivo do trabalho foi desenvolver um sistema de apoio a avaliacao da poluicao sonora, aplicado na zona central de Rio Claro, Sao Paulo, Brasil. Para isso, dados foram obtidos por meio de medicoes sonoras e entrevistas com a populacao, gerando como indicadores o nivel sonoro equivalente (Leq ), o indice de ruido de trafego (LTNI ) e um diagnostico participativo (Dp ), integrados por intermedio de um sistema de inferencia fuzzy (SIF). Como resultado, o sistema proposto permitiu classificar os pontos avaliados quanto ao grau de impacto da poluicao sonora sobre a saude da populacao (IPS ) na area de estudo, que pode ser considerado significativo em 31,4% dos pontos e muito significativo em 62,9%. A possibilidade de adequar o SIF de acordo com as condicoes de estudo viabiliza a sua generalizacao e, desta forma, apoia a avaliacao e respectiva gestao do ruido ambiental em outras regioes.The aim of this study was to develop a support system for the evaluation of noise pollution, applied to the central urban area of Rio Claro, São Paulo State, Brazil. Data were obtained from noise measurements and interviews with the population, generating the following indicators: equivalent sound level (Leq ), traffic noise index (LTNI ), and a participatory diagnosis (Dp ), integrated through a fuzzy inference system (FIS). The proposed system allowed classifying the measurement points according to the degree of impact of noise pollution on the populations health (IPS ) in the study area. Impact was considered significant in 31.4% of the measurement points and very significant in 62.9%. The FIS can be adjusted to local conditions, allowing generalization and thus also supporting noise pollution evaluation and respective environmental noise management in other geographic areas.

Different module placements in a modular façade system for natural ventilation

Nowadays natural ventilation has gained prominence because its correct use can reduce energy consumption for cooling systems and improve thermal comfort among users. In this paper, we report on the modelling initiative, based on the wind tunnel tests that were carried out for the determination of the influence of natural ventilation in buildings. Indeed, the renewal of air in a closed environment without using an air conditioning system with mechanical elements can lead to energy savings and, in addition, provide air quality. The wind tunnel tests were carried out by varying the positioning of six ventilation modules in the facade system configuration. The modules were positioned below the window-sill (ventilated window-sill) as well as separately above and below the facade. The wind speed measurements were taken inside and outside the model for the different facades configurations to evaluate the best performance in relation to natural ventilation. The results supported the positioning of the six ventilation modules below the window-sill, forming a “ventilated window-sill” as the most effective natural ventilation solution.

Natural Ventilation by Air Captors and Extractors Sheds in Hospitals in Brazil: Wind Tunnel Measurements

Natural ventilation is an efficient design strategy for the passive cooling of buildings, especially in tropical countries such as Brazil. Among the ventilation strategies, sheds can be highlighted. These structures consist of roof openings that work as air captors or extractors depending on their location in relation to the prevailing wind directions. The hospitals of the Sarah Network, designed by the Brazilian architect Joao Filgueiras Lima, Lele, are worldwide known for using these elements to improve natural ventilation. This paper analyses the natural ventilation performance of sheds for air collecting and extracting in two Sarah hospitals located in the cities of Salvador and Rio de Janeiro. In each building, the sheds were analyzed for air extracting and collecting. The analyses were carried out by reduced physical models in an atmospheric boundary layer wind tunnel. The wind velocity was measured at external and internal points of the buildings, using hot-wire anemometers. The results show that the wards in Rio de Janeiro hospital are 17% more ventilated than the ones in the Salvador hospital. However, this difference occurs not only because of the collecting sheds but also because of set of openings and the configuration of the covering in hospitals in Rio de Janeiro.

Sistema de apoyo a la evaluación del impacto del ruido sobre la salud pública

Abstract The aim of this study was to develop a support sys-tem for the evaluation of noise pollution, applied to the central urban area of Rio Claro, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Data were obtained from noise measurements and interviews with the population, generating the following indicators: equivalent sound level ( L eq ), traf-fic noise index ( L TNI ), and a participatory diagnosis ( D p ), integrated through a fuzzy inference system ( FIS ). The proposed system allowed classifying the measure-ment points according to the degree of impact of noise pollution on the population’s health ( I PS ) in the study area. Impact was considered significant in 31.4% of the measurement points and very significant in 62.9%. The FIS can be adjusted to local conditions, allowing generalization and thus also supporting noise pollu-tion evaluation and respective environmental noise management in other geographic areas.Fuzzy Logic; Sound Contamination; Noise Effects Resumen El objetivo del trabajo fue desarrollar un sistema de apoyo a la evaluacion de la contaminacion acustica, aplicado en la zona central de Rio Claro, Sao Paulo, Brasil. Con este fin, se obtuvieron datos mediante me-diciones sonoras y entrevistas a la poblacion, generan-do como indicadores el nivel sonoro equivalente (O objetivo do trabalho foi desenvolver um sistema de apoio a avaliacao da poluicao sonora, aplicado na zona central de Rio Claro, Sao Paulo, Brasil. Para isso, dados foram obtidos por meio de medicoes sonoras e entrevistas com a populacao, gerando como indicadores o nivel sonoro equivalente (Leq ), o indice de ruido de trafego (LTNI ) e um diagnostico participativo (Dp ), integrados por intermedio de um sistema de inferencia fuzzy (SIF). Como resultado, o sistema proposto permitiu classificar os pontos avaliados quanto ao grau de impacto da poluicao sonora sobre a saude da populacao (IPS ) na area de estudo, que pode ser considerado significativo em 31,4% dos pontos e muito significativo em 62,9%. A possibilidade de adequar o SIF de acordo com as condicoes de estudo viabiliza a sua generalizacao e, desta forma, apoia a avaliacao e respectiva gestao do ruido ambiental em outras regioes.The aim of this study was to develop a support system for the evaluation of noise pollution, applied to the central urban area of Rio Claro, São Paulo State, Brazil. Data were obtained from noise measurements and interviews with the population, generating the following indicators: equivalent sound level (Leq ), traffic noise index (LTNI ), and a participatory diagnosis (Dp ), integrated through a fuzzy inference system (FIS). The proposed system allowed classifying the measurement points according to the degree of impact of noise pollution on the populations health (IPS ) in the study area. Impact was considered significant in 31.4% of the measurement points and very significant in 62.9%. The FIS can be adjusted to local conditions, allowing generalization and thus also supporting noise pollution evaluation and respective environmental noise management in other geographic areas.

Sistema de apoio à avaliação de impactos da poluição sonora sobre a saúde pública

Abstract The aim of this study was to develop a support sys-tem for the evaluation of noise pollution, applied to the central urban area of Rio Claro, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Data were obtained from noise measurements and interviews with the population, generating the following indicators: equivalent sound level ( L eq ), traf-fic noise index ( L TNI ), and a participatory diagnosis ( D p ), integrated through a fuzzy inference system ( FIS ). The proposed system allowed classifying the measure-ment points according to the degree of impact of noise pollution on the population’s health ( I PS ) in the study area. Impact was considered significant in 31.4% of the measurement points and very significant in 62.9%. The FIS can be adjusted to local conditions, allowing generalization and thus also supporting noise pollu-tion evaluation and respective environmental noise management in other geographic areas.Fuzzy Logic; Sound Contamination; Noise Effects Resumen El objetivo del trabajo fue desarrollar un sistema de apoyo a la evaluacion de la contaminacion acustica, aplicado en la zona central de Rio Claro, Sao Paulo, Brasil. Con este fin, se obtuvieron datos mediante me-diciones sonoras y entrevistas a la poblacion, generan-do como indicadores el nivel sonoro equivalente (O objetivo do trabalho foi desenvolver um sistema de apoio a avaliacao da poluicao sonora, aplicado na zona central de Rio Claro, Sao Paulo, Brasil. Para isso, dados foram obtidos por meio de medicoes sonoras e entrevistas com a populacao, gerando como indicadores o nivel sonoro equivalente (Leq ), o indice de ruido de trafego (LTNI ) e um diagnostico participativo (Dp ), integrados por intermedio de um sistema de inferencia fuzzy (SIF). Como resultado, o sistema proposto permitiu classificar os pontos avaliados quanto ao grau de impacto da poluicao sonora sobre a saude da populacao (IPS ) na area de estudo, que pode ser considerado significativo em 31,4% dos pontos e muito significativo em 62,9%. A possibilidade de adequar o SIF de acordo com as condicoes de estudo viabiliza a sua generalizacao e, desta forma, apoia a avaliacao e respectiva gestao do ruido ambiental em outras regioes.The aim of this study was to develop a support system for the evaluation of noise pollution, applied to the central urban area of Rio Claro, São Paulo State, Brazil. Data were obtained from noise measurements and interviews with the population, generating the following indicators: equivalent sound level (Leq ), traffic noise index (LTNI ), and a participatory diagnosis (Dp ), integrated through a fuzzy inference system (FIS). The proposed system allowed classifying the measurement points according to the degree of impact of noise pollution on the populations health (IPS ) in the study area. Impact was considered significant in 31.4% of the measurement points and very significant in 62.9%. The FIS can be adjusted to local conditions, allowing generalization and thus also supporting noise pollution evaluation and respective environmental noise management in other geographic areas.

Absortâncias e emitâncias efetivas de superfícies: um método para estimá-las, um modelo experimental e exemplos de suas importâncias

Imperfeicoes, saliencias e reentrâncias existentes nas superficies tipicas das edificacoes constituem obstaculos que podem alterar significativamente o comportamento delas em relacao aos fluxos por radiacao. Alem de ampliar a area efetiva de troca de calor, criam sombras e reflexoes, que nao ocorreriam em. Assim, os procedimentos de calculo, ao inves de considerar as superficies perfeitamente lisas e planas, deveriam aplicar correcoes nas propriedades radiativas das superficies. Denominam-se efetivas as absortâncias e emitâncias que resultam dessas correcoes. O presente artigo apresenta um metodo simples desenvolvido para avaliar essas influencias e exemplifica a importância das correcoes acima mencionadas, apresentando resultados de simulacoes elaboradas no programa EnergyPlus para uma edificacao de geometria simples, submetida ao longo de 1 ano ao clima da cidade de Brasilia. Adotando-se absortâncias e emitâncias efetivas, os resultados das simulacoes revelam diferencas de ate 2,8 oC nas temperaturas internas do ar em relacao as obtidas desprezando-se as influencias que as ondulacoes das telhas exercem sobre os fluxos radiantes. Considerando o uso de condicionadores de ar, essa diferenca pode representar uma variacao de cerca de 30% nas estimativas de consumo de energia.