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Thermal Comfort and Energy Use in Sustainable Transportation and Buildings

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 July 2025) | Viewed by 1490

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Associate Research Scientist, Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, Columbia University, 610 S.W. Mudd 500 W 120th St., New York, NY 10027, USA
Interests: electrical and thermal transport; thermoelectrics; radiative cooling; thermoelasticity

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Guest Editor
Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
Interests: heat transfer; thermal management; solid mechanics

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Guest Editor
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80403, USA
Interests: reliability of renewable energy; material degradation behavior

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I trust this message finds you well. It is with great pleasure that we extend an invitation to you to contribute to a Special Issue of the journal Sustainability, dedicated to exploring thermal comfort and energy efficiency in sustainable transportation and buildings.

(1) Overall Outline

  1. Focus: This Special Issue aims to pursue the interdisciplinary aspects of thermal comfort and sustainable energy in applications ranging from vehicles to buildings. We seek to foster a comprehensive understanding of the materials and systems used and the integration between vehicles and buildings for enhanced occupant satisfaction and energy efficiency.
  2. Scope: We welcome contributions that span a wide spectrum of topics, including innovative materials, system design strategies, advanced thermal management, passenger/occupant behaviors, and smart energy technologies for both vehicles and buildings. Manuscripts employing diverse methodologies, from empirical studies to modeling and simulation approaches, are encouraged.
  3. Purpose: The primary objective of this Special Issue is to combine cutting-edge research and advancements in the field, providing insights for future research as well as solving current problems. By doing so, we aim to contribute to the development of sustainable technologies that provide thermal comfort while minimizing energy consumption.

(2) Supplementing the Existing Literature

This Special Issue seeks to complement the existing literature by relating fundamental principles to novel research outcomes, while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of our understanding. By addressing critical gaps in the discussion, we aspire to contribute novel insights that will guide future research and practice in the field of thermal comfort and energy use.

I believe your expertise and contributions would greatly enrich the discussions within this Special Issue. Your unique insights and research endeavors are pivotal to achieving a comprehensive understanding of the challenges we face in achieving thermal comfort and energy efficiency for sustainable transportation and buildings.

Dr. Byung-Wook Kim
Dr. Qilong Cheng
Dr. Xin He
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • thermal comfort
  • energy efficiency
  • environmental design
  • energy harvesting
  • smart building
  • heat transfer
  • reliability

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

50 pages, 4165 KiB  
Review
Sustainable Insulation Technologies for Low-Carbon Buildings: From Past to Present
by Pinar Mert Cuce
Sustainability 2025, 17(11), 5176; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17115176 - 4 Jun 2025
Viewed by 978
Abstract
Building facade insulation technologies have evolved from primitive thermal barriers to high-performance, multifunctional systems that enhance energy efficiency and indoor comfort. Historical insulation methods, such as thick masonry walls and timber-based construction, have gradually been replaced by advanced materials and innovative facade designs. [...] Read more.
Building facade insulation technologies have evolved from primitive thermal barriers to high-performance, multifunctional systems that enhance energy efficiency and indoor comfort. Historical insulation methods, such as thick masonry walls and timber-based construction, have gradually been replaced by advanced materials and innovative facade designs. Studies indicate that a significant proportion of a building’s heat loss occurs through its external walls and windows, highlighting the need for effective insulation strategies. The development of double-skin facades (D-SFSs), adaptive facades (AFs), and green facades has enabled substantial reductions in heating and cooling energy demands. Materials such as vacuum insulation panels (VIPs), aerogels, and phase change materials (PCMs) have demonstrated superior thermal resistance, contributing to improved thermal regulation and reduced carbon emissions. Green facades offer additional benefits by lowering surface temperatures and mitigating urban heat island effects, while D-SF configurations can reduce cooling loads by over 20% in warm climates. Despite these advancements, challenges remain regarding the initial investment costs, durability, and material sustainability. The future of facade insulation technologies is expected to focus on bio-based and recyclable insulation materials, enhanced thermal performance, and climate-responsive facade designs. This study provides a comprehensive review of historical and modern facade insulation technologies, examining their impact on energy efficiency, sustainability, and future trends in architectural design. Full article
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