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Selected Papers from 2019 IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability (IEEE ECBIOS 2019)

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Health, Well-Being and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2019) | Viewed by 53989

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Teen-Hang Meen

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Guest Editor

Department of Electronic Engineering National Formosa University, Yunlin 632, Taiwan
Interests: IOT devices; photovoltaic devices; STEM education
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Yusuke Matsumoto

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Guest Editor

Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji-city, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
Interests: computerization of pharmacy business; drug therapy for renal excretory drugs; eradication therapy of Hericobacter pylori
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Ming-Shyan Wang

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Guest Editor

Vice Dean of College of Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan, Taiwan
Interests: servo motor drive design, neural network control, intelligent robotics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The 2019 IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare, and Sustainability (IEEE ECBIOS 2019) will be held in Okinawa, Japan on 31 May~3 June, 2019, and it will provide a unified communication platform for researchers in the fields of biomedical engineering, healthcare, and sustainability. Recently, healthcare has undergone a sector-wide transformation thanks to advances in computing, networking technologies, big data, and artificial intelligence. Healthcare is not only changing from being reactive and hospital-centered to preventive and personalized, but it is also changing from being disease focused to well-being centered. Healthcare systems, as well as fundamental medicine research, are becoming smarter and enabled in biomedical engineering. Furthermore, with cutting edge sensors and computer technologies, healthcare delivery could also yield better efficiency, higher quality, and lower cost.

This Special Issue on “Selected Papers from the 2019 IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare, and Sustainability (IEEE ECBIOS 2019)” is expected to select excellent papers presented in IEEE ECBIOS 2019 on the topic of sustainability. It links several disciplines, including the environmental, cultural, economic, and social sustainability of human beings, which provide an advanced forum for studies related to sustainability and sustainable development. Our aim is to encourage scientists to publish their experimental and theoretical research relating to natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities in as much detail as possible in order to promote scientific predictions and impact assessments of global change and development. Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

Water pollution and sanitation;
Toxic chemicals and hazardous and radioactive wastes;
Degradation of ecosystems and species, and concomitant risks to human well-being;
Health-related aspects of sustainability;
Sustainable chemistry;
New and renewable sources of energy;
Sustainable energy preservation and regeneration methods;
Land and aquatic ecosystems maintenance and biodiversity preservation;
Sustainability tools;
Applications of sustainability;
Sustainability science;
Other topics related to sustainability.

Distinguished Prof. Dr. TeenHang Meen
Prof. Dr. Yusuke Matsumoto
Distinguished Prof. Dr. Ming-Shyan Wang
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

Health-related aspects of sustainability
Sustainable chemistry
Sustainable energy preservation and regeneration methods
Sustainability tools
Applications of sustainability
Sustainability science.

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Editorial

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5 pages, 170 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Selected Papers From 2019 IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability (IEEE ECBIOS 2019)

by Teen-Hang Meen, Yusuke Matsumoto and Ming-Shyan Wang

Sustainability 2020, 12(1), 414; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12010414 - 05 Jan 2020

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2620

Abstract

The 2019 IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare, and Sustainability (IEEE ECBIOS 2019) was held in Okinawa, Japan on 31 May–3 June 2019, and provided a unified communication platform for researchers in the fields of biomedical engineering, healthcare, and sustainability. Recently, healthcare has undergone a sector-wide transformation thanks to advances in computing, networking technologies, big data, and artificial intelligence. Healthcare is not only changing from being reactive and hospital-centered to preventive and personalized, but it is also changing from being disease focused to well-being centered. Healthcare systems, as well as fundamental medicine research, are becoming smarter and enabled in biomedical engineering. Furthermore, with cutting edge sensors and computer technologies, healthcare delivery could also yield better efficiency, higher quality, and lower cost. This Special Issue on “Selected Papers from the 2019 IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare, and Sustainability (IEEE ECBIOS 2019)” is expected to select excellent papers that were presented in IEEE ECBIOS 2019 on the topic of sustainability. It will link several disciplines, including the environmental, cultural, economic, and social sustainability of human beings, which provide an advanced forum for studies related to sustainability and sustainable development. Our aim is to encourage scientists to publish their experimental and theoretical research relating to natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities in as much detail as possible in order to promote scientific predictions and impact assessments of global change and development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 2019 IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability (IEEE ECBIOS 2019))

Research

Jump to: Editorial

10 pages, 477 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation and Analysis of Medication Disposal in Hospitals and Community Pharmacies in Taiwan

by Tzu-Chueh Wang, Pou-Jen Ku, Hai-Lin Lu, Kung-Chuan Hsu, Damien Trezise and Yu-Hsuan Hong

Sustainability 2020, 12(1), 11; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12010011 - 18 Dec 2019

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3750

Abstract

Taiwan offers affordable access to health care through the National Health Insurance (NHI) Program, but this increases the risk of waste of medications and pollution caused by improper disposal. This research aimed to: (1) understand methods of disposal of unused medications, and public awareness of related issues, (2) understand the sources and types of unused medications and reasons for their disposal, and (3) propose improvements to current disposal practices. Data on practices and perspectives on the disposal of medications were collected from members of the public using a questionnaire, and subjected to chi-square analysis of demographic variables. The survey found that many respondents disposed of medications inappropriately, but most believed the government should establish a return system. The majority of discarded medications came from hospitals, and were most frequently discarded because patients had forgotten to take them. Based on these findings, the study proposes that receiving stations be established across Taiwan for the safe and environmentally friendly disposal of unused medications, along with a system of monthly checks and compensation for pharmacists’ costs. The study also suggests that pharmacists strengthen medication guidance, spend more time on medication counseling, better understand the reasons for medication waste, and offer health education and advice to physicians and the public. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 2019 IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability (IEEE ECBIOS 2019))

9 pages, 1865 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Application of Passive Radiative Cooling in Greenhouses

by Chia-Hsin Liu, Chyung Ay, Chun-Yu Tsai and Maw-Tien Lee

Sustainability 2019, 11(23), 6703; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su11236703 - 27 Nov 2019

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3702

Abstract

At present, greenhouses are used to grow a variety of crops around the world. However, with the change of climate, the increasingly harsh weather makes it more and more disadvantageous for people to work inside, and plants are difficult to grow. Previous research has illustrated that radiative cooling can be realized by using certain nonmetal oxide particles created for emission in an infrared atmospheric transparency window, which is an environmentally friendly cooling method due to reducing energy consumption. Polyethylene (PE)-based formulations with a UV stabilizer and nonmetal oxide particles (NOP) were first granulated and then formed a monolayer film by co-injection molding. The experimental results show that due to passive radiative cooling, under the environmental conditions of 35 °C, and only considering the natural convection heat transfer, the net cooling power of the greenhouse film developed in this study is 28 W·m⁻² higher than that of the conventional PE film. The temperature inside the simulated greenhouse cladded with the new greenhouse covering was on average 2.2 °C less than that of the greenhouse with the conventional PE film. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 2019 IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability (IEEE ECBIOS 2019))

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15 pages, 3356 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Conceptualization and Development of a DFuzzy Model for Low-Carbon Ecocities

by Sung-Lin Hsueh, Yue Sun and Min-Ren Yan

Sustainability 2019, 11(20), 5833; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su11205833 - 21 Oct 2019

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2725

Abstract

The Industrial Revolution has enabled mechanization to lead the manufacturing industry into a new era of explosive economic growth. Mass production through the use of machines has improved the overall societal prosperity in industrialized countries. The great and continuous demand of mechanization, economic growth, and energy consumption has resulted in the excessive use of natural resources and the mining of natural energy deposits. Challenges such as serious environmental pollution, ecological damage, and climate change have been identified as some of the critical issues for sustainable development. Therefore, this paper proposes a Delphi and Fuzzy (DFuzzy) model in order to institute low-carbon ecocities. DFuzzy is a scientific decision-making model with quantitative multiple attributes and artificial intelligence. Twelve specialists from the Delphi experts were interviewed, including chief executive officers (CEOs) of industries, management committee members, and senior academics, all of whom have 15 years of experience in urban planning practice. After a three-round Delphi process with 17 criteria that were taken from the literature, four criteria of the DFuzzy model were recognized by experts: policy norms, resident cooperation, pollution prevention and control, and ecological reserves. The practical application of the DFuzzy model took three areas as examples: the Baiyun District and Conghua District of Guangzhou City, and the Dahu Community of Kaohsiung City. Through the experts’ consensus in the two-round Delphi process, the four criteria, as the input basis, demonstrated the objective quantitative calculation function of the DFuzzy model and also indicated that the model established in this study provides a reference for evaluating low-carbon ecocities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 2019 IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability (IEEE ECBIOS 2019))

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19 pages, 873 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Extension of TAM by Perceived Interactivity to Understand Usage Behaviors on ACG Social Media Sites

by Jui-Hsiang Lee and Chang-Franw Lee

Sustainability 2019, 11(20), 5723; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su11205723 - 16 Oct 2019

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4640

Abstract

Social media sites, as participatory artistic online platforms, have become popular spaces for amateur artists to exchange the creative artefacts of animation, comics and games (ACG) with others. Online social media platforms for ACG amateur artists offer interactive features for communication, information exchange and distance learning to facilitate connections among amateur artists worldwide. However, not too much of the available research has regarded investigating the determinative factors of ACG users’ behavior on social media. By integrating aspects of perceived interactivity and users’ willingness to exchange information, this study formulated a concept model to investigate the prerequisite factors of users’ “continuance use intention” on ACG social media sites. The snowballing method was used to recruit 367 participants who had experience in creating ACG works and using more than two ACG social media sites from the Japanese sub-cultural communities at a university in Northern Taiwan. The results of this study provided empirical evidence supporting perceived interactivity as a prerequisite factor for extending the technology acceptance model (TAM), perceiving interactivity, and supporting indicators such as continuance use intentions and the willingness to exchange information on ACG social media sites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 2019 IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability (IEEE ECBIOS 2019))

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12 pages, 578 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Empirical Examination of Intention to Continue to Use Smart Home Services

by Wei Gu, Peng Bao, Wenyuan Hao and Jaewoong Kim

Sustainability 2019, 11(19), 5213; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su11195213 - 23 Sep 2019

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 4913

Abstract

With the continuous expansion of sub-ecological problems, it is the question of how to effectively reduce environmental pollution and improve energy efficiency that has become a major challenge. At the same time, the energy consumption of family homes accounts for a large proportion, and whether smart homes can become a part of sustainable development is getting more and more attention. Although there are hundreds of smart home products and many investors on the market, consumers are relatively less accepting of this technology. How to make consumers adopt and continue to use has become a key issue in the development of smart homes. From the perspective of consumers, this study aims first to explore the relevant factors that affect the sustainable use of smart homes, and second empirically analyze the hypothetical model by using structural equation modeling. The empirical analysis results are based on the sample data of 488 Chinese respondents with experience in smart home use. The results showed that the service quality and perceived usefulness of smart home services positively impact users’ degree of satisfaction, and a higher degree of satisfaction, in turn, contributes to users’ formation of habits. Users’ desire to continuously use smart home services is influenced by perceived usefulness, degree of satisfaction, and habit; among them, habit is the key factor affecting users’ willingness. These findings expand our understanding of users’ desire to continuously use smart homes and provide theoretical support for the sustainable development of the smart home industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 2019 IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability (IEEE ECBIOS 2019))

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10 pages, 4114 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a Reminiscence Therapy System for the Elderly Using the Integration of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

by Yung-Chin Tsao, Chun-Chieh Shu and Tian-Syung Lan

Sustainability 2019, 11(17), 4792; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su11174792 - 02 Sep 2019

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 7871

Abstract

Through virtual interaction and multivariate communication, the social interaction and life satisfaction of elderly people can be improved. This study integrated virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to construct a visualized reminiscence therapy system, which provides not only reminiscence entertainment but may also aid in dementia prevention for healthy and sub-healthy (a therapeutic working concept which defines an intermediate stage between health and disease) elderly people. Images taken by an LG 360 CAM are primarily introduced into Power Director 360 as the guide interface. The special effects are joined using After Effects. With the model constructed under 3ds Max, the reminiscence therapy system integrated by virtual reality and augmented reality is then established by the Unity engine. It is shown that the developed 3D ancient building model can be used by Samsung Note 5 smartphones as well as VR CASE glasses to increase the immersive experience for the elderly. Through nostalgic elements triggered by the AR/VR three-dimensional model and video/audio interaction, the feasibility of our integrated system for reminiscence therapy is thus verified. Through reminiscence therapy, memories and thoughts can fully be activated as a therapy for elderly people. The visualized reality system developed in this study can further promote the social interactional satisfaction of elderly people. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 2019 IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability (IEEE ECBIOS 2019))

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11 pages, 207 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Employees’ Perceptions of Training and Sustainability of Human Resource

by Chia-Wen Lee, Weidong Wu and Cheng-Fu Yang

Sustainability 2019, 11(17), 4622; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su11174622 - 26 Aug 2019

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3616

Abstract

Employees’ perceptions of training are one of the keys to sustainability in human resources. Based on data from a survey conducted in Shanghai and nine other large cities, this study explores employees’ perceptions of training and tries to identify what factors influence their perceptions. The results show that employees do not attach enough value to vocational training. Urban registration, higher education, and management positions correspond with higher valuation of training, but length of service has a negative effect on their valuation. The differences between urban households and rural households, the social distinction between basic education and vocational education paths, and the increases of frequency, time, and importance of the interactions between personal and work places may play an important role in these phenomena and have impacts on the sustainable development of human resources in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 2019 IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability (IEEE ECBIOS 2019))

14 pages, 2286 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Promoting the Sustainability of City Communities through ‘Voluntary Arts Activities’ at Regenerated Cultural Arts Spaces: A Focus on the Combination of the ‘Democratization of Culture’ and ‘Cultural Democracy’ Perspectives

by Yura Lim, Dong-uk Im and Jongoh Lee

Sustainability 2019, 11(16), 4400; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su11164400 - 14 Aug 2019

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3269

Abstract

Abandoned industrial facilities have become a nuisance in cities because the needs of society members are continuously changing. Idle industrial facilities might be considered to be merely abandoned and empty spaces, but they are in reality historic sites that illustrate the period of industrialization in the region. They are valuable because they serve to accumulate memories from the past. Recently, with the need for urban regeneration, there have been various discussions on converting the abandoned industrial facilities into cultural art spaces. They are intended to promote the sustainability of communities and cities by vitalizing the area. Considering the social dimensions of urban regeneration, it is necessary to render such a creative space as a ‘Third Place’ to promote the city’s sustainability. Converted industrial facilities, through the medium of ‘Voluntary Arts Activities,’ have many elements that are suitable for the needs of a creative space, and even for a ‘Third Place’. As opposed to the private sector, it is seen that when the public sector regenerates these facilities, they approach this issue in order to lower the cultural arts barrier. The public sector, which is a government-centered first sector, conducts regeneration projects based on the ‘Democratization of Culture’ perspective. However, in order to promote participation in the third sector, which is a community-based, non-profit sector that actually uses the space, it is important to approach the issue from the ‘Cultural Democracy’ perspective. Focusing on this aspect, this study aims to examine cases of public sector-led converted cultural arts spaces by ‘Voluntary Arts Activities’ in France and South Korea, namely ‘Le Centquatre-Paris,’ the ‘Oil Tank Culture Park,’ and the ‘West Seoul Arts Center for Learning’. This will allow us to contemplate the possibility of sustainable spaces, individuals, communities and cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 2019 IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability (IEEE ECBIOS 2019))

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16 pages, 555 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Management of Coastal Wetlands in Taiwan: A Review for Invasion, Conservation, and Removal of Mangroves

by Yu-Chi Chen and Chun-Han Shih

Sustainability 2019, 11(16), 4305; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su11164305 - 09 Aug 2019

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4389

Abstract

Mangrove management has been a sustainable concern in coastal wetlands for decades, especially for original near-shore wetlands and environments without mangrove forests. Although studies outlining environmental, social, and economic benefits of mangrove forests have been increasing, few studies have examined sustainability and policies for reducing or removing mangroves. This study explores the current implemented strategies pertaining to the invasion, conservation, and removal of mangroves for wetland sustainability. A total of 19 mangrove sites were sorted out to develop the main patterns and factors for the destruction or protection in estuaries on the western coast of Taiwan. For traditional wetland management, when faced with development pressure, having protected areas under certain laws is a good direction to go for mangrove sustainability. Furthermore, due to the invasion of mangroves in the mudflats, the Siangshan Wetland indicated mangrove removal can be a positive conservation case as an appropriate habitat rehabilitation strategy for benthic organisms. Under special conditions, mangrove removal provides useful insights into the sustainability of wetlands. These insights contribute to facilitating the worldwide move towards sustainable management on mangrove wetlands. The study also presents the following strategies to further reduce or remove mangroves in the coastal wetlands that contain no mangrove forests: (1) Conducting studies to evaluate the effectiveness of mangrove removal; (2) implementing policies to ensure positive influences on coastal wetlands, and (3) providing mangrove conservation education for sustainable development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 2019 IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability (IEEE ECBIOS 2019))

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18 pages, 12272 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Management of a Mountain Community Vulnerable to Geohazards: A Case Study of Maolin District, Taiwan

by John Franklin Harrison and Chih-Hua Chang

Sustainability 2019, 11(15), 4107; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su11154107 - 30 Jul 2019

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3240

Abstract

This study investigates community-based landslide mitigation planning. The combination of a landslide susceptibility index (LSI) model, landslide inventory datasets, and field work is used to identify hazard-prone areas in Maolin District, Taiwan. Furthermore, to identify the challenges and opportunities affecting the sustainable development of mountain communities, a pilot survey was conducted in three such communities (Dona Village, Wanshan Village, and Maolin Village). The results reveal that there are two types of significant mass movement in such areas: debris avalanche and debris flow. The results also show that the LSI map and multi-temporal landslide inventory datasets correlate with landslide locations. Meander is identified as an important factor in landslide activity. The questionnaire results show that the residents of the study area lack awareness of and access to information related to landslide activity. Similarly, the local residents favor increased environmental protection, working within their community, and additional government spending in regard to managing geohazards. To increase the resilience of the community, an improved landslide susceptibility map is proposed based on the output of the results. Thus, this research improves upon the process of identifying, supporting, and bettering the management of communities prone to landslides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 2019 IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability (IEEE ECBIOS 2019))

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14 pages, 2770 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spectral Deconvolution for Dimension Reduction and Differentiation of Seagrasses: Case Study of Gulf St. Vincent, South Australia

by Charnsmorn Hwang, Chih-Hua Chang, Michael Burch, Milena Fernandes and Tim Kildea

Sustainability 2019, 11(13), 3695; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su11133695 - 05 Jul 2019

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3633

Abstract

Seagrasses are a vulnerable and declining coastal habitat, which provide shelter and substrate for aquatic microbiota, invertebrates, and fishes. More accurate mapping of seagrasses is imperative for their sustainability but is hindered by the lack of data on reflectance spectra representing the optical signatures of individual species. Objectives of this study are: (1) To determine distinct characteristics of spectral profiles for sand versus three temperate seagrasses (Posidonia, Amphibolis, and Heterozostera); (2) to evaluate the most efficient derivative analysis method of spectral reflectance profiles for determining benthic types; and to assess the influences of (3) site location and (4) the water column on spectral responses. Results show that 566:689 and 566:600 bandwidth ratios are useful in separating seagrasses from sand and from detritus and algae, respectively; first-derivative reflectance spectra generally is the most efficient method, especially with deconvolution analyses further helping to reveal and isolate 11 key wavelength dimensions; and differences between sites and water column composition, which can include suspended particulate matter, both have no effect on endmembers. These findings helped develop a spectral reflectance library that can be used as an endmember reference for remote sensing, thereby providing continued monitoring, assessment, and management of seagrasses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 2019 IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability (IEEE ECBIOS 2019))

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17 pages, 9122 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improvement of Human Thermal Comfort by Optimizing the Airflow Induced by a Ceiling Fan

by Hsin-Hung Lin

Sustainability 2019, 11(12), 3370; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su11123370 - 18 Jun 2019

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4393

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the greenhouse effect and the overuse of electricity and energy under a sustainable environment. The goal is to investigate the airflow that is induced by ceiling fans, by measuring human body temperature. In the simulation model, the thermal plume phenomenon is observed in the indoor environment. By changing the ceiling fan parameters, the influence of the airflow is investigated by practical measurement of human body temperature. The indoor convective heat transfer is enhanced by installing a ceiling fan, which affects the whole body thermal sensation (WBTS). Different scenarios are reviewed by adjusting the fan speed in the simulation model, so that the distribution of human body temperature can be determined. By modeling the blade plane of the ceiling fan, the airflow characteristics can be determined by making the simulation model rotate in order to assess the thermal comfort characteristics. As the ceiling fan generates circulation within the domain, the thermal comfort is significantly enhanced. By keeping a reasonable thermal comfort level, a higher room temperature or a higher heat load is allowed so that a sustainable environment can be maintained without affecting the indoor thermal comfort or the efficiency of energy usage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 2019 IEEE Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability (IEEE ECBIOS 2019))

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