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Silver-based chalcohalide antiperovskites (CAPs), Ag3BC (B=S, Se; C=Cl,Br,I), represent an emerging family of energy materials with intriguing optoelectronic, vibrational, and ionic transport properties. However, the structural features and phase stability of CAP remain poorly investigated to date, hindering their fundamental understanding and potential integration into technological applications. Here we employ theoretical first-principles methods based on density-functional theory to fill this knowledge gap. Through crystal-structure prediction techniques, molecular dynamics simulations, and quasiharmonic free-energy calculations, we unveil a series of previously overlooked energetically competitive phases and temperature-induced phase transitions for all CAP. Specifically, we identify a new cubic P213 structure as the stable phase of all CAP containing S both at zero temperature and T≠0 K conditions. Consequently, our calculations suggest that the cubic Pm3¯m phase identified in room-temperature x-ray diffraction experiments is possibly metastable. Furthermore, for CAP containing Se, we propose different orthorhombic (Pca21 and P212121) and cubic (I213) structures as the ground-state phases and reveal several phase transformations induced by temperature. This theoretical investigation not only identifies new candidate ground-state phases and solid-solid phase transformations for all CAP but also provides insights into potential stability issues affecting technological applications based on these highly anharmonic materials. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

The CO2 adsorption capacities (AC) of biochars obtained at 350, 550, and 750 °C from the main organic (cellulose, lignin, and protein) and inorganic (CaCO3) macro-components of biogenic waste, as well as from co-digested manure (CDM), have been determined for different CO2 concentrations (2–83 vol%) at 25 °C and atmospheric pressure. CO2 adsorption isotherms have been determined using two different experimental methodologies: thermogravimetric and fixed-bed dynamic adsorption tests, yielding similar results. The composition effect has been analyzed by comparing the adsorption performance of the chars derived from individual macro-components and the potential interactions occurring during their co-pyrolysis. Lignin and cellulose-derived chars showed higher CO2 retention (≈77 mg gbiochar−1) than those produced from protein (≈40 mg gbiochar−1). Pyrolyzed CaCO3 exhibited negligible CO2 adsorption. For surrogate_CDM chars, prepared at pyrolysis temperatures high enough to decompose CaCO3 in the organic matrix, experimental results showed a synergistic effect, with AC between 14 % and 47 % higher than theoretical predictions. This decomposition promoted the reverse Boudouard reaction and enhanced char microporosity. However, the improvement was insufficient to offset the dilution effect caused by the high CaCO3 content. AC results have been discussed based on the biochar textural and chemical properties, with ultramicroporosity being the key factor determining adsorption capacity. The AC of CDM-derived sorbents is similar to that of cellulose-derived, expressed per gram of waste (7–13 mg gwaste−1). Furthermore, the biochars retained at least 80 % of their initial AC after 3 adsorption-desorption cycles, indicating their potential for stable CO2 capture.

The decarbonization of the building sector is essential to mitigate climate change, aligning with the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the transition from near-Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEBs) to Zero-Emission Buildings (ZEBs). This study introduces a novel and streamlined Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, in accordance with EN 15978, to holistically evaluate the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of buildings. Our approach integrates a calibrated dynamic simulation of operational energy use, performed with DesignBuilder, to determine precise operational CO2 emissions. This is combined with a comprehensive assessment of embodied emissions, encompassing construction materials and transportation phases, using detailed Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). Applied to the IndUVa nZEB case study, the findings reveal that embodied emissions dominate the life cycle GWP, accounting for 69%, while operational emissions contribute just 31% over 50 years. The building’s use of 63.8% recycled materials highlights the transformative role of circular economy strategies in reducing embodied impacts. A comparative analysis of three energy-efficiency scenarios demonstrates the IndUVa building’s exceptional performance, achieving energy demand reductions of 78.4% and 85.6% compared to the ASHRAE and CTE benchmarks, respectively. This study underscores the growing significance of embodied emissions as operational energy demand declines. Achieving ZEBs requires prioritizing embodied carbon reduction through sustainable material selection, recycling, and reuse, targeting a minimum of 70% recycled content. By advancing the LCA framework, this study presents a pathway for achieving ZEBs, driving a substantial reduction in global energy consumption and carbon emissions, and contributing to climate change mitigation.

[ES] La contribución a la sostenibilidad se ha convertido en una cuestión tema de gran relevancia para todo tipo de empresas incluyendo los emprendimientos, que siendo negocios pequeños son piezas claves que contribuyen al desarrollo económico y social de los países emergentes; por lo que la necesidad de adaptarlos a los cambios del entorno, se convierte en una prioridad para lograr negocios prósperos y sostenibles a largo plazo. Sin embargo, estas pequeñas empresas carecen de una guía para saber cómo iniciar o transformar su negocio hacia un modelo sostenible, que refleje su compromiso con el cuidado del medio ambiente y contribución a la sociedad. El objetivo de este Trabajo Fin de Máster es, en primer lugar, realizar un análisis del modelo de negocio actual de un emprendimiento peruano dedicado a la elaboración y comercialización de artículos de madera proveniente de bosques de la Amazonía, y, en segundo lugar, elaborar una propuesta orientada a transformarlo hacia un modelo sostenible incorporando la dimensión social y ambiental en su estrategia. Como resultado de la metodología aplicada, podremos identificar los ámbitos de mejora y posibles acciones futuras en términos sociales y ambientales para la empresa y convertirse en un Modelo de Negocio Sostenible. Para la realización de este trabajo, se adoptará el enfoque de Canvas del Modelo de Negocio de triple nivel propuesto por Alejandro Joyce y Raymond L. Paquin, y se realizarán entrevistas en profundidad a las personas responsables de esta empresa y otras con las que ésta tiene relación. [EN] The contribution to sustainability has become an challenge of great relevance for all types of companies, including startups. These are small businesses which become key players that contribute to the economic and social development of emerging countries; so the need to adapt them to the changing environment becomes a priority to achieve prosperous and sustainable business in the long term. However, these small businesses lack a guide about how to start or transform their business towards a sustainable model, reflecting their commitment to environmental care and contribution to society. The objective of this Master Thesis is, firstly, to analyze the current business model of a Peruvian enterprise dedicated to the production and marketing of wooden articles from Amazonian forests, and secondly, to develop a proposal aimed at transforming it into a sustainable model incorporating the social and environmental dimension in its strategy. As a result of the applied methodology, we will be able to identify areas for improvement and possible future actions in social and environmental terms for the company and become a Sustainable Business Model. This study will use the approach of the Triple Layered Canvas model proposed by Alejandro Joyce y Raymond L. Paquin, and the compilation of information from in depth interviews conducted to staff of the company and other with whom the company has relationships.

Abstract. The role played by environmental factors in the functioning of forest ecosystems is relatively well known. However, the potential of the elemental composition of trees (i.e., elementomes) as a predictor of forest functioning remains elusive. We assessed the predictive power of elemental composition from different perspectives: testing whether aboveground element stocks or concentrations explain forest production and productivity (i.e., production per unit of standing biomass) better than leaf elements or environmental factors, and identifying the optimal set (combination and quantity) of elements that best predicts forest functioning. To do so, we used a forest inventory of 2000 plots in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, containing in-site information about the elementomes (C, Ca, K, Mg, N, Na, P, and S) of leaves, branches, stems, and barks, in addition to annual biomass production per organ. We found that models using leaf element stocks as predictors achieve the highest explained variation in forest production. The optimal dimensionality was achieved by combining the foliar stocks of C, Ca, K, Mg, N, and P and interactions (C × N, C × P, and N × P). Forest biomass productivity was best predicted by forest age. Hence, our results indicate that leaf element stocks are better predictors of forest biomass production than aboveground element concentrations or stocks, thus hinting at leaf measurements as critical factors for predicting variations in forest biomass production.

Introduction: The Danube Delta coast is part of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, thus being aimed to preserve its typical natural habitats. Over the last decades, human interventions along the Danube River, as well as coastal navigation and harbour protection works on the Romanian coast, have determined the reduction of sediment supply along the Danube Delta coast, which is nowadays affected by erosion on its widest part. Sustainable management plans for the Danube Delta coast include the use of working-with-nature solutions. In this work, the effectiveness of artificial reefs along the Danube Delta coast has been assessed, from the hydrodynamic point of view.Methods: The results of a previous wave climate study and a wave model have been used for this purpose. Simulations have been performed for different setup of artificial reefs, with different heights, and for extreme storms with various return periods, to test their effectiveness in reducing wave height and energy. Sea level rise has also been taken into account.Results: Our results show that artificial reefs are significantly effective in reducing the wave heights along the Danube Delta coast.Discussion: However, further detailed analysis concerning the impact of such a coastal protection solution is still needed, especially on the shoreline evolution and the local hydrodynamics.

This paper explores the viability of electric vehicle charging point operators to act as flexibility service providers in local flexibility markets. The work focuses on the requirements for operating in local intra-day markets and specifically in solving grid congestion at the distribution level. The explored approach assumes an alternative to bilateral agreements constrained to the capacity of the charging point operator to forecast the electric vehicle demand and flexibility effectively.The current paper analyses the flexibility capacity and proposes a methodology to address the re-dispatch process within the GOPACS (The Netherlands) context.The flexibility estimation methodology comprises two forecasting steps: forecasting the aggregated flexibility capacity and forecasting electric vehicles flexibility. A detailed case study presents data from the real electric vehicle sessions in Amsterdam City. The experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology, establishing a robust basis for further research.