School of Engineering, ATU Galway Cityhttps://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/1332024-03-29T06:48:26Z2024-03-29T06:48:26ZAccelerating the transition to a circular economy (CE) through exchange of excess materials: A conceptual framework for an excess materials exchange (EME) for the public sector, built environment in Ireland.Whelan, Davidhttps://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/46922023-12-05T03:02:02Z2023-11-01T00:00:00ZAccelerating the transition to a circular economy (CE) through exchange of excess materials: A conceptual framework for an excess materials exchange (EME) for the public sector, built environment in Ireland.
Whelan, David
The research examines the viability of accelerating the transition to a circular economy (CE) in Ireland through the exchange of excess materials from the public sector, built environment. This study uses Design Science Research (DSR) as described in Hevner et al. (2004) as its primary methodological approach. The research process consisted of problem identification and the
motivation for the project, defining objectives for a solution and the results needed, and the creation of an innovative artefact.
The study begins with a comprehensive literature review which examines the current state of the CE, and specifically the contribution of the built environment to material resource depletion globally, and nationally. A model was developed from the literature and was further refined using data from the primary research, consisting of a series of interviews with twelve (n=12) industry experts with expertise in economic and social research, procurement, design, and public policy areas. The results of the interview process identified several key factors which further influenced the development of the conceptual framework for excess materials exchange (EME). The main research findings were the following: a) the definition of excess materials must include a broad category of descriptors to reach scale, b) mandatory legislation, specifically through the mechanism of circular public procurement would enable adoption of an EME framework across the public sector, c) a carbon tax or allowance could incentivise the use of circular materials, and d) an EME should be regulated and governed by a commercial state agency, successful examples of which already exist within the Irish state. The conceptual framework for excess materials exchange is offered as a proposed solution to the problem of material and energy value loss, specifically as it concerns construction and demolition (C&D) waste. In Ireland C&D waste accounts for 8.2m tonnes in 2020 (EPA, 2023). Ireland’s circular material use rate is 1.6% which compares unfavourably with the EU circular material use rate average of 11.9% (Eurostat, 2023). The low circular materials use rate in Ireland suggests that a significant percentage of C&D waste could be reused, but it will require efficient systems and mechanisms to recover, categorise, certify, and manage materials along the value chain. The conceptual framework also proposes that incentivisation and mandatory legislation could
increase adoption of an EME framework and accelerate the transition to the circular economy.
2023-11-01T00:00:00ZIntegrating Biomedical Engineering Research with Undergraduate Teaching – A Research-Teaching Nexus ApproachMorris, Liamhttps://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/43732023-02-01T03:01:01Z2022-01-01T00:00:00ZIntegrating Biomedical Engineering Research with Undergraduate Teaching – A Research-Teaching Nexus Approach
Morris, Liam
The integration of research with undergraduate teaching can further enhance the third-level learning experience, by improving learners’ problem solving, critical inquiry and design thinking skills. Unfortunately, research and teaching are perceived as two diverse activities that rarely meet. The new Atlantic Technological University (ATU) launched in April 2022 in the west and northwest of Ireland will
increase its research capacity and further serve the regional needs. This provides an opportunity to bridge the gap between research and teaching. Four modules within the biomedical engineering degree and two modules from mechanical engineering are shown as examples of integrating biomedical engineering research and infrastructure with undergraduate programme modules. The research-teaching nexus model was applied to aide in this interaction. The feedback from the students was very positive with comments towards the learning environment stating, “new learning experience on biomed engineering, a good change from the usual” and “there was a great atmosphere in class, yet we still were able to learn”. Other student comments on interacting with the research facility was “tour of medical imaging suite assisting in my understanding of the topic” and “the actual physical interactions in the MET centre was the best part”. The integration of research with undergraduate learning is a key learning resource which motivates undergraduate students for further learning and allows teachers to be facilitators of learning. We must therefore think actively about how to bring teaching and research together to enhance the scholarship of learning.
2022-01-01T00:00:00ZAN ANALYSIS OF THE REMOTE COMPUTING SYSTEMS AND SOLUTIONS PROVIDED BY ATU GALWAY CITY SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND COMPUTING TO STAFF AND STUDENTSFolan, Pathttps://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/43342022-12-13T03:00:26Z2022-11-01T00:00:00ZAN ANALYSIS OF THE REMOTE COMPUTING SYSTEMS AND SOLUTIONS PROVIDED BY ATU GALWAY CITY SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND COMPUTING TO STAFF AND STUDENTS
Folan, Pat
The research question being asked here is what are the most efficient strategies to improve the remote working and learning experience in ATU Galway School of Science and Computing? The aim of the research was to analyse the effectiveness of remote computing resource provision by ATU Galway City School of Science and Computing and thus identify any gaps or weaknesses, so as to be in a position to make improvements. In other words, how well are staff and students able to work or study from locations outside the university when using computing services and systems and could it be done any better. The methodology used was action research. Action research involves using systematic observations and other data collection methods that are useful for the practitioner-researcher in reflection, decision making and in the development of more effective practices in the workplace. Data collection was undertaken using surveys, semi-structured interviews and observation. This study adds to the knowledge already in the literature, enabling improvements to be made to the provision and delivery of remote computing systems and solutions not only in ATU but elsewhere. It was found that the systems in use are effective and that the users are satisfied with their levels of knowledge and the training provided. Slow broadband or a lack of coverage in rural areas was the most common complaint. Students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in particular suffered from a lack of access caused by difficulties in paying for broadband as much as for technical reasons related to the availability or quality of Internet. It is recommended that students who qualify for the laptop loan scheme or who are identified via a means test should be provided with pre-paid data packages in order to offset the disadvantage they suffer and give parity of access to all.
2022-11-01T00:00:00ZAdvances in multifunctional balanced ventilation technology for dwellings and arising challenge to quantify energy efficiency and renewable generation contributions using international test standardsHunt, DavidMac Suibhne, NaoiseDimache, LaurentiuMcHugh, DavidLohan, Johnhttps://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/40462022-09-20T11:42:47Z2020-09-12T00:00:00ZAdvances in multifunctional balanced ventilation technology for dwellings and arising challenge to quantify energy efficiency and renewable generation contributions using international test standards
Hunt, David; Mac Suibhne, Naoise; Dimache, Laurentiu; McHugh, David; Lohan, John
This paper evaluates the ability of EN16573:2017 to isolate and quantify the energy efficiency and renewable generation contributions of multifunctional balanced ventilation systems. These systems integrate an air-source heat pump with heat recovery ventilation and two similar, yet physically different configurations (C1 and C2) are assessed. Heat pump operation does not influence heat recovery performance for widely used configuration C1 but does influence for novel configuration C2. This study shows that while EN16573:2017 can isolate the energy efficiency (heat recovery exchanger) and renewable generation (heat pump) contributions for configuration C1, it fails when applied to configuration C2. Measurements undertaken using EN16573:2017 on configuration C2 revealed an overall coefficient of performance of 5.07, split 51% heat exchanger with heat pump off (phase 1), and 49% heat pump (phase 2 minus phase 1). If this result were obtained for configuration C1 the respective contributions would be 51% energy efficiency and 49% renewable generation. While these contributions cannot be resolved using EN16573:2017 for configuration C2, it can be achieved using two additional measurement planes in the incoming airstream. These showed an 88%:12% contribution from the heat exchanger and heat pump, respectively. While accurate, this result under-estimates the true heat pump contribution, as its positive impact on the heat exchanger efficiency boosts its contribution from 51% (phase 1) to 88% (phase 2). This paper acknowledges that heat pump operation leverages a 37% increase in heat exchanger performance and proposes a that the respective contributions of the heat exchanger and heat pump should be 42%:58%.
2020-09-12T00:00:00Z