Search Results (163)

Continuous and personalized monitoring are beneficial for patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. However, such levels of monitoring are seldom ensured by traditional models of care. This paper presents NeuroPredict, a secure edge–cloud Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) platform that addresses this problem by integrating commercial wearables and in-house sensors with cognitive and behavioral evaluations. The NeuroPredict platform links high-frequency physiological signals with periodic cognitive tests through the use of a modular architecture with lightweight device connectivity, a semantic integration layer for timestamp alignment and feature harmonization across heterogeneous streams, and multi-timescale data fusion. Its use of encrypted transport and storage, role-based access control, token-based authentication, identifier separation, and GDPR-aligned governance addresses security and privacy concerns. Moreover, the platform’s user interface was built by considering human-centered design principles and includes role-specific dashboards, alerts, and patient-facing summaries that are meant to encourage engagement and decision-making for patients and healthcare providers. Experimental evaluation demonstrated the NeuroPredict platform’s data acquisition reliability, coherence in multimodal synchronization, and correctness in role-based personalization and reporting. The NeuroPredict platform provides a smart system infrastructure for eHealth and remote monitoring in neurodegenerative care, aligned with priorities on wearables/IoMT integration, data security and privacy, interoperability, and human-centered design. Full article

Buildings consume energy and are responsible for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia. Increased standards are being set for building thermal performance. Given the rising demand for energy-efficient housing solutions, this work explores the potential application of innovative technologies to enhance the thermal performance. Since modular construction is attracting popularity owing to numerous advantages, including its efficiency and cost-effectiveness, optimising the thermal performance is a way to further improve its popularity, particularly in diverse Australian climates. Smart materials are unique and have desirable properties when subjected to a change in the external environment. Integration of smart insulation materials in prefabricated buildings forecasts a potential to expand the horizon of thermal performance of prefabricated buildings and subsequently lead towards an enhanced energy performance. This work investigates the effects of aerogel, phase change materials (PCMs), and electrochromic glazing. To assess their potential to improve the thermal performance of a modular house, building energy performance simulations were conducted for three different climatic conditions in Australia. Individual implementation of innovative technologies and their combined effects were also quantified. The combination of the three innovative technologies has yielded total annual energy savings of 15.6%, 11.2%, and 6.1% for Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane, respectively. Full article

Across the Baltic Sea region, areas situated in climate-sensitive water zones are increasingly exposed to environmental and socio-economic challenges. Gdańsk, Poland, is a prominent example where the rising threat of climate-related hazards, particularly connected with flooding, coincides with growing demand for resilient and adaptive housing solutions. Located in the Vistula Delta, the city’s vulnerability is heightened by its low-lying terrain, polder-based land systems, and extensive waterfronts. These geographic conditions underscore the urgent need for flexible, climate-responsive design strategies that support long-term adaptation while safeguarding the urban fabric and the well-being of local communities. This study provides evidence-based guidance for adaptive housing solutions tailored to Gdańsk’s waterfronts. It draws on successful architectural and urban interventions across the Baltic Sea region, selected for their environmental, social, and cultural relevance, to inform development approaches that strengthen resilience and social cohesion. To achieve this, an exploratory case study methodology was employed, supported by desk research and qualitative content analysis of strategic planning documents, academic literature, and project reports. A structured five-step framework, comprising project identification, document selection, qualitative assessment, data extraction, and analysis, was applied to examine three adaptive housing projects: Hammarby Sjöstad (Stockholm), Kalasataman Huvilat (Helsinki), and Urban Rigger (Copenhagen). Findings indicate measurable differences across nine sustainability indicators (1–5 scale): Hammarby Sjöstad excels in environmental integration (5/5 in carbon reduction and renewable energy), Kalasataman Huvilat demonstrates strong modular and human-scaled adaptability (3–5/5 across social and housing flexibility), and Urban Rigger leads in climate adaptability and material efficiency (4–5/5). Key adaptive measures include flexible spatial design, integrated environmental management, and community engagement. The study concludes with practical recommendations for local planning guidelines. The guidelines developed through the Gdańsk case study show strong potential for broader application in cities facing similar challenges. Although rooted in Gdańsk’s specific conditions, the model’s principles are transferable and adaptable, making the framework relevant to water sensitivity, flexible housing, and inclusive, resilient urban strategies. It offers transversal value to both urban scholars and practitioners in planning, policy, and community development. Full article

In the context of China’s vigorous promotion of “better housing” construction, transforming affordable housing into “better housing” has become an important practical task. Since the 1960s, when the public housing system was standardized, South Korea has established a diversified and high-quality public housing supply system. Therefore, this study takes public rental housing in Seoul as examples, summarizes the development experience of public housing in South Korea, with the aim of providing new inspirations for the development direction, concepts, and spatial optimization of affordable housing in China. The research examines the Korean public housing policies, housing history, and cultural background from a theoretical perspective, analyzes the formation background and supply types of public housing, as well as the evolution mechanism of the unit plan, and takes typical public rental housing completed in the 2010s as examples to analyze and explore the spatial composition and structural characteristics of the affordable housing unit plans. Finally, based on China’s national conditions, this study highlights the policy implications of South Korea’s public housing experience for the development of affordable housing in China and proposes a “policy-space-culture” tripartite guidance framework to support the realization of the goal of constructing “better housing” within the affordable housing sector. Specifically, (1) at the policy level, it is recommended to establish a multi-tiered supply mechanism and implement an early warning system for emerging affordable housing demands; (2) at the spatial design level, standardization and modularization of housing design are advocated; and (3) at the cultural level, it is suggested to enhance cultural adaptability by aligning housing design with local residential culture and residents’ living habits. Full article

Disaster is a multidimensional phenomenon affecting societies worldwide. Rising climate crises, mass migrations, and earthquake risks have made disaster awareness crucial in spatial design. In this context, interior architecture has evolved beyond esthetic and functional concerns into a discipline that contributes to post-disaster recovery and quality of life. This study examines disaster- and earthquake-themed postgraduate theses in interior architecture in Türkiye to identify academic trends and methodological orientations. Drawing on Türkiye’s distinctive disaster history, it highlights the need for a global perspective in post-disaster spatial design and disaster-conscious interior architecture education. Using a mixed-method approach combining both quantitative and qualitative analyses and a multiple case study model, data were collected through document analysis from the Council of Higher Education’s National Thesis Center. The sample includes 33 theses published between 2003 and 2024, analyzed by year, university, institute, advisor title, program level, research method, and thematic focus. Findings indicate a notable increase in disaster-oriented studies after 2021, particularly following the 6 February 2023 earthquakes. Most are master’s theses under Institutes of Science, dominated by qualitative methods. The analysis identifies temporary housing, modular systems, sustainability, and psychosocial recovery as recurrent themes, indicating an increasingly human-centered research focus in Türkiye. Full article

This article investigates how the application of modular dimensions and disassembly methods can lower energy and material consumption in residential buildings. This study utilizes a non-reactive desk research and applied case study methods. The examination of precedent publications and studies encompassed the following subjects: The first stage defines modularity in housing and the concept of Design for Disassembly (DfD). The second stage of the research involves analyzing the prefabricated and modular Grow Home project that was designed and built by the author and his team, containing DfD principles, to reduce energy consumption and material waste. In the discussion section, the author highlights key barriers to modular homes in the construction industry. The findings demonstrate that by including several design strategies, such as the enhancement of modularity and DfD affordability, reduction in material waste, and increase in the overall sustainability of a given development. Full article

In disaster-prone regions facing chronic housing shortages and growing sustainability demands, modern construction methods are essential to achieving resilience, affordability, and rapid delivery. Modular construction, one of the core components of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), offers significant potential but remains underutilized in developing contexts due to regulatory, managerial, and technical constraints. This study investigates the multi-stakeholder priorities influencing the adoption of modular construction in Indonesia, with a particular focus on Aceh, a province frequently affected by natural disasters. An integrated Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Monte Carlo simulation framework was applied to evaluate six main criteria and sixteen sub-criteria, drawing on expert input from five stakeholder groups: academics, planners, architects, consultants, and contractors. The results indicate that Managerial and Planning (0.181), Quality, Safety and Regulation (0.178), and Human Resources and Knowledge (0.174) are the most influential criteria. Among five modular alternatives, Volumetric Modular ranked highest (0.243) for its rapid deployment and disaster-resilient characteristics, followed by Panelized Modular (0.203). Monte Carlo sensitivity testing validated the robustness of these results under uncertainty. This research represents one of the first probabilistic, multi-stakeholder assessments of modular adoption in a developing-country disaster context. Policy implications highlight the urgent need for regulatory reform to standardize modular practices and workforce training programs to strengthen technical capacity, thereby accelerating resilient housing delivery in Aceh and similar regions. Full article

This study presents an adaptive conservation framework for the Fujia Residence, a vernacular house located in the tropical region of Hainan, China. The primary aim of this study is to develop a symbiotic design approach that integrates GIS spatial analysis, modular design, and community participation to ensure the long-term sustainability, cultural preservation, and resilience of vernacular housing in tropical regions. The framework leverages GIS data, including elevation, temperature distribution, ecological features, and water systems, to inform the design, ensuring it is both disaster-resilient and environmentally adaptive. The modular design components, such as prefabricated structures and flexible spaces, offer a sustainable and adaptable solution to meet residents’ needs while preserving cultural heritage. The community participation model, incorporating a revenue-sharing mechanism and government subsidies, encourages the long-term involvement of local residents in the maintenance and protection of the residence. The outcome of this study demonstrates that the proposed framework provides a replicable model for cultural heritage preservation in tropical and economically underdeveloped regions, offering a scalable and adaptable solution to address the challenges of vernacular housing conservation in similar contexts. Full article

The high material waste, long execution times, and lack of adoption of technological solutions hinder the construction process in the building sector. In response, this project proposes the development and validation of parametric digital tools to optimize the design and CNC fabrication of WikiHouse prototypes, an open-source modular system that enables precise assemblies without the need for additional metal joints. The main objective is to optimize the architectural design process through tools such as Grasshopper and Python, increasing precision, reducing material waste, and shortening the manufacturing times of CNC components for WikiHouse. The results include drastic time reductions when shifting from manual workflows to CAD–CAM parameterized workflows, with processing times of approximately 1 min (≈0:32–1:16) compared to 63–109 min using manual methods. This study demonstrates that parameterization—rather than robotization—is a realistic pathway to transfer open systems like WikiHouse to low-tech contexts: it reduces preparation times to minutes, cuts waste, and decreases variability among operators. Full article

In the context of China’s rural revitalization strategy, improving the livability and sustainability of traditional dwellings in border regions has become a critical priority. This study examines Chinese–Korean houses in border villages, where field investigations and quantitative analysis reveal persistent challenges: poor indoor thermal comfort and high energy consumption due to outdated building envelopes and inefficient heating systems. To address these issues, we propose an integrated retrofitting solution that combines building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and ground-source heat pump (GSHP) technologies. Unlike previous studies focusing on isolated applications, our approach emphasizes the synergistic integration of active energy generation and high-efficiency thermal regulation, while preserving the architectural and cultural identity of traditional dwellings. Pilot results demonstrate significant improvements in PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) and economic viability, and achieve a high level of esthetic and cultural compatibility. Modular BIPV integration provides on-site renewable electricity without altering roof forms, while GSHP ensures stable, efficient heating and cooling year-round. This solution offers a replicable, regionally adaptive model for low-carbon rural housing transformation. By aligning technological innovation with cultural preservation and socioeconomic feasibility, the study contributes to a new paradigm of rural development, supporting ecological sustainability, ethnic unity, and border stability. Full article

Recently, disaster damages have become more widespread due to climate change and the interaction between disasters, and the complexity of solving this problem is increasing. Consequently, many buildings have been severely affected, with some houses being razed or flooded, losing their residential function. The damage to housing facilities not only destroys the life-cycles of individuals and households but also causes functional loss and productivity decrease in local communities. As a countermeasure, the central and local governments provide their citizens with housing facilities, such as temporary housing, to make their lives stable. This study conducted interviews with disaster victims who experienced housing damage from various natural disasters, from the victims of the earthquake in Pohang in 2017 to the landslide in Yecheon and Bonghwa in 2023, and victims who lived in temporary housing between 2017 and 2024 immediately after they suffered such disasters. It then investigated the housing facilities themselves. The study conducted in-depth interviews through one-on-one meetings with the disaster victims directly and their satisfaction levels with their temporary housing facilities were investigated. This study also explored certain issues to be improved on and inconveniences in housing through the statements and experiences of the disaster victims. Based on the interviews, the study identified and gathered the actual problems in and of the housing facilities. Furthermore, based on the results of these investigations, this study developed modular temporary housing units which reflect the various needs and demands of different households. This study contributes to the stability in the living situations of disaster victims. It increases the disaster resilience of the local communities. Full article

The construction sector’s environmental footprint is driving the adoption of sustainable modular timber systems. The WikiHouse Skylark is a promising open-source model whose structural reliability depends on the performance of its critical plywood TIE joints. This study presents an experimental investigation of full-scale TIE joints fabricated from 18 mm Pinus radiata plywood in three variants: Standard (STD), Weather-Resistant (HR), and Fire-Resistant (FR). Monotonic tensile and shear tests were conducted to evaluate load–displacement behavior and failure modes. While the mean ultimate strengths varied between panel types, with HR highest in tension (7.7 kN) and FR highest in shear (8.2 kN), the most critical finding was the effect of the treatments on failure mode. The FR treatment induced a brittle fracture with significantly reduced ductility, in contrast to the more ductile tearing observed in STD and HR panels. This highlights a clear strength–ductility trade-off introduced by the fire-retardant treatment, a key consideration for structural design in modular timber construction. This dataset provides an essential empirical foundation for the numerical modeling and design guidelines of WikiHouse TIE joints, advancing the development of resilient and sustainable prefabricated housing. Full article

This paper presents a thermal gas flow sensing system, from surface acoustic wave (SAW) temperature sensor to oscillation circuit and multi-module miniaturization integration. A single-port GaN/Si SAW resonator with single resonant mode and excellent characteristics was fabricated. Combined with an in-house-developed SiGe HBT, a temperature-sensitive high-frequency oscillator was constructed. Under constant temperature control, system-level flow measurement was achieved through dual-oscillation configuration and modular integration. The fabricated SAW device shows a temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) −28.29 ppm/K and temperature linearity 0.998. The oscillator operates at 1.91 GHz with phase noise of −97.72/−118.62 dBc/Hz at 10/100 kHz offsets. The system demonstrates excellent dynamic response and repeatability, directly measuring 0–50 sccm flows. For higher flows (>50 sccm), a shunt technique extends the test range based on the 0–10 sccm linear region, where response time is <1 s with error <0.9%. Non-contact operation ensures high stability and long lifespan. The sensor shows outstanding performance and broad application prospects in flow measurement. Full article

This paper describes two low-cost, modular instruments developed for rapid room-temperature characterization of mainly thermoelectrics. The first instrument measures the Seebeck coefficient across diverse sample geometries and incorporates a four-point probe configuration for simultaneous electrical conductivity measurement, including disk-shaped samples. The second instrument implements the Van der Pauw method, enabling detailed investigation of charge carrier behavior within materials. Both devices prioritize accessibility, constructed primarily from 3D-printed components, basic hardware, and readily available instrumentation, ensuring ease of reproduction and modification. A unique calibration protocol using pure elemental disks and materials with well-established properties was employed for both instruments. Validation against comparable systems confirmed reliable operation. Control and data acquisition software for both devices was developed in-house and is fully documented and does not require an experienced operator. We demonstrate the utility of these instruments by characterizing the electronic properties of polycrystalline SnSe thermoelectric materials doped with Bi, Ag, and In. The results reveal highly complex charge carrier behavior significantly influenced by both dopant type and concentration. Full article

With the advancement of building industrialization and sustainable development, modular demountable buildings, as an efficient and environmentally friendly form, show significant potential in scenarios such as emergency housing and rural construction. However, they face issues including insufficient component adaptability, low demounting efficiency, and low integration level. Based on the Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) theory, this paper proposes solutions and takes M-Box1.0 as a case study to explore design strategies from four dimensions: product modularization, logistics optimization, rationality of demounting, and component integration. The results show that M-Box1.0 has excellent ventilation and lighting performance. Compared with similar products on the market, it has fewer parts and lower costs. Moreover, it reduces construction waste through prefabrication and demountable connections. This study clarifies the advantages of DFMA-oriented design and has practical significance for promoting the efficient and energy-saving development of building industrialization. Full article