Design for sustainability
Made-to-Order industries produce large, complex products which can have life-cycles that span decades. Large amounts of energy and material are used throughout the life-cycle, from fabrication, maintenance, operations and disposal. Reduction of the life-cycle environmental impact is best achieved at the conceptual design stage which will support clean design and reduce the need for end-of-pipe technology.
Design for a clean environment
Design for a clean environment
In the EPSRC funded project, Design for a Clean Environment, the state of current practice with respect to clean design has been investigated and key drivers and weaknesses have been isolated. This research has led to the development of a preliminary clean design framework which contains elements in the following areas:
- A 'Clean Design' tool
- Life-cycle analysis / Life-cycle costing procedures
- Decision making tools
- Environmental economics
- Investment appraisal
- Mapping of environmental information flow through design teams
- Product Stewardship & Supply Chain Management
The Design for a Clean Environment project finished its initial phase in 2001. A summary of the outcomes and a catalogue of the major output can be viewed here
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For further details of the EDC's activities please get in touch with us through our contact page.
Commercial Research at Newcastle University
A full list of commercially available research facilities for Newcastle University can be found on the Services for Business web pages.
Highlight for April 2008
Integrated Modelling for Strategic Planning
Strategic planning for sustainability requires complex systems to be modelled.
Because of this complexity, it is unrealistic to develop new and comprehensive models for each of the numerous possible situations likely to be encountered. Many models already exist ...
Previous highlights
About the Events Diary
Upcoming seminars
The EDC often hosts, arranges or is associated with a wide variety of seminars related to its activities.
These seminars (often in association with an engineering institute) are always open to students and staff at the university and often to the public.
Upcoming events will be listed on this website in the future. Please check back from time to time for updates.
