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Circular Economy and Clean Technology for a Sustainable Future

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 9867

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Shreeshivadasan Chelliapan

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Guest Editor

Razak Faculty of Technology and Informatics, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 54100, Malaysia
Interests: environmental engineering; chemical treatment; wastewater treatment; biological process; anaerobic digestion

Dr. Hesam Kamyab

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Guest Editor

Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 54100, Malaysia
Interests: environmental engineering; microalgae; wastewater treatment; clean technologies; clean energy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The processes that will make the current economic model possible will only be optimal and cost-effective if the latest technological advances are used. For both challenges, technology is the main tool that must be used, as it is only through the most innovative advances that we will be able to reach the most people. More importantly, technology will lower the costs of procedures essential to the circular economy model, such as recycling. The circular economy has started to be promoted as a more appropriate economic model to reduce pollutant emissions, reduce wasting resources and, as such, to curb climate change. This is based on eliminating waste and pollution, maintaining products and materials already in use, and regenerating natural systems. New technologies will make the paradigm shift possible, as they provide the tools that are able to lower costs, automate tasks, and even create economic value. Ultimately, the idea behind these approaches is the need to incorporate technology into waste treatment. The circular economy offers an alternative approach to the linear economy, which lowers pressure on the ecosystem. In a circular economy, waste and pollution are minimized, material cycles are closed, and consumption is decoupled from economic growth. The transition to a circular economy is crucial to achieving sustainable economic growth and using technology to make society more sustainable. This Special Issue is focused on exploring green technologies for the circular economy revolution. This issue highlights green products and services by promoting green markets. Papers of interest will address sustainable green technologies from a broad range of disciplines all aimed at contributing to the circular economy goal.

Prof. Dr. Shreeshivadasan Chelliapan
Dr. Hesam Kamyab
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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

zero-waste economy
carbon capture and storage
integrated ecosystems and management
soil decontamination
eco-technology
energy efficiency
green/sustainable chemistry
green/sustainable green building construction
green/sustainable engineering
improved material handling
toxic substance reduction and elimination
waste elimination
pollution reduction
renewable energy (wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal)
biomass, biofuels, and biogas
emerging and advanced green energy technologies

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2645 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Performance Analysis of a 10 MW Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Plant Using Rankine Cycle in Malaysia

by Sathiabama T. Thirugnana, Abu Bakar Jaafar, Srithar Rajoo, Ahmad Aiman Azmi, Hariharan Jai Karthikeyan, Takeshi Yasunaga, Tsutomu Nakaoka, Hesam Kamyab, Shreeshivadasan Chelliapan and Yasuyuki Ikegami

Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3777; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15043777 - 18 Feb 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2334

Abstract

Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) is a solution for environmental and climate change issues in the tropics. The OTEC potential in Malaysia using ocean conditions and bathymetry data has been previously studied and demonstrated. Following this, it is vital to perform a basic performance analysis of a 10 MW Rankine Cycle OTEC plant using the Malaysian ocean conditions. In this paper, the results of heat and mass balance will be reported for a 10 MW Rankine cycle OTEC plant which uses heat exchangers of plate-type and anhydrous ammonia as its working fluid. The value of a minimum objective function (γ) is derived by total heat surface area (A_T) divided by the net power (P_N). γ decreases when the inlet temperature difference (inlet temperature of warm seawater (T_WSWI)—inlet temperature of cold seawater (T_CSWI)) increases. P_N is clarified to be approximately 70–80% of the P_G (gross power) using Malaysian ocean conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Economy and Clean Technology for a Sustainable Future)

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31 pages, 20453 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Finite Element Analysis of Novel Stiffened Angle Shear Connectors at Ambient and Elevated Temperature

by Karim Nouri, Nor Hafizah Ramli Sulong, Zainah Ibrahim, Mohammad Bazzaz and H. Elhosiny Ali

Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 184; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15010184 - 22 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1313

Abstract

This is a numerical study to investigate the behavior of novel stiffened angle shear connectors embedded in solid concrete slabs at both ambient and elevated temperatures. An advanced nonlinear finite element model is developed and validated with available experimental work by Nouri, K., et al. 2021. Additionally, parametric studies are performed to evaluate the variations in concrete strength and the connector’s dimensions. The results indicate that the ultimate strength of the stiffened angle shear connector drops by 92% in 1050 °C. Comparing studies show the strength of the stiffened shear connector at 700–850 °C is equivalent to the ordinary C-shaped shear connectors. The stiffened shear connector is more ductile at elevated temperatures as compared to ambient temperatures. The shear strength raised to 66% and 159.7% by increasing the height and width of the stiffened shear connector, respectively. Furthermore, the height of the stiffened shear connector is crucial to enhance the shear strength capacity as compared to the ordinary C-shaped shear connector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Economy and Clean Technology for a Sustainable Future)

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15 pages, 854 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Business Technology Strategy on Inward Export Performance in the Malaysian Higher Education Industry

by Panteha Khodakarami, Zukarnain Zakaria, Rossilah Jamil, Tan Seng Teck, Hayder Dhahir Mohammed and Mehran Najmaei

Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9307; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14159307 - 29 Jul 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1662

Abstract

Services export plays a significant role in the world economy and benefits businesses and countries. In the service sector, higher education service has become vital for countries’ economic sustainability. The flux of international students has created global business opportunities and trade networks. However, past studies have largely focused on exports within the manufacturing industry rather than service exports, particularly on the inward export service industry. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between business technology strategy, cultural sensitivity, and export performance in the higher education service industry. Data were collected from directors of international offices of 137 Malaysian higher education institutions. PLS-SEM was used for data analysis using the SmartPLS 3.2.8 software. The findings reveal that business technology strategy is positively related to cultural sensitivity and inward export performance. Furthermore, the study found that business technology strategy mediates the relationship between cultural sensitivity and inward export performance. The findings can help researchers in understanding factors that influence the inward export performance of higher education institutions. Since business technology strategy plays a mediating role in the inward export performance of higher education, this study recommends that Malaysian higher education institutions (HEIs) are equipped with the latest education-related technologies in order to increase their internationalization performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Economy and Clean Technology for a Sustainable Future)

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Review

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33 pages, 2185 KiB

Open AccessReview

Time to Conquer Fungal Infectious Diseases: Employing Nanoparticles as Powerful and Versatile Antifungal Nanosystems against a Wide Variety of Fungal Species

by Ali Jangjou, Zahra Zareshahrabadi, Milad Abbasi, Amirreza Talaiekhozani, Hesam Kamyab, Shreeshivadasan Chelliapan, Ahmad Vaez, Ali Golchin, Lobat Tayebi, Ehsan Vafa, Ali Mohammad Amani and Hossein Faramarzi

Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12942; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su141912942 - 10 Oct 2022

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3396

Abstract

The development of novel antifungal agents and, in particular, the widespread use of these medications over the course of the past two decades, has had a significant impact on the treatment of fungal infectious diseases. This has resulted in a complete transformation of the treatment of fungal infectious diseases. However, the widespread development of antibiotic resistance has masked the significance of such breakthroughs. Antifungal infection treatment with nanoparticles has been shown to be effective. As a result of their unique characteristics, these substances, in contrast to antibiotics in their purest form, are able to exhibit an increased anti-proliferative capacity while requiring a lower concentration than traditional drugs do in order to achieve the same effect. Decreased drug effectiveness, minimal tissue penetration throughout tissue, restricted tissue penetration, decreased bioavailability, poor drug pharmacokinetics, and low water solubility are some of the major factors contributing to the employment of antifungal medicines in delivery systems. Because of this, one of the primary goals of incorporating antifungal medications into varying sorts of nanoparticles is to reduce the negative effects of the drugs’ inherent qualities. This article provides an overview of the many types of nanoparticles, such as metal, metal oxide, and non-metal oxide nanoparticles, carbon-based nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanofibers, antifungal peptides, composites, and ZnO quantum dots, that can be used as antifungal drug delivery systems, as well as the benefits that these nanomaterials have over purified medications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Economy and Clean Technology for a Sustainable Future)

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