Sunday, December 13, 2009

«اجازه نده احساسات تو را دیگران متوجه شوند»، «اجازه نده هیجان‌ها بر تو مسلط شوند»، «خودت را مانند یک کتاب باز نگذار» و مخصوصا «اجازه نده کسی گریه‌ات را ببیند».

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Guest Lecture - Ronald Roedel

The important part of the lecture was about structure of the solar cells and its operation. The main thing was about optical radiation which got absorb by the solar cells and the result creates active charged particle then particles will transferred by the solar.

Basically photons get collected by sunlight which we can call it "packets" of the sun energy. When solar cells were hit by photons the huge mass are get absorbed or reflected the quantity of high-energy photons will blow right away but most of the time they are get absorbed or reflected. While absorbing happened to a photon its energy is transported to a semiconductor. When an adequate amount of energy is transported the atom can run away from its regular position to the different position. Meanwhile the electron makes a hole to shape. Each photon with sufficient energy will usually give a way one electron plus one hole.

Each solar cell has three different and energetic layers. First “a top junction layer (made of the N-type semiconductor) second an absorber layer (which called the P-N junction) and third a back junction layer (made of the P-type semiconductor)”. But what is the P-N junction? In the P-N junction the cell includes its individual built-in electric field. This electric field offers the voltage which is necessarily to power electrons and holes by light absorption to run in their own instructions. In fact, it will direct the electrons to the N-type area, and the holes to the P-type area. Whether we offer an outer current path, electrons will run from side to side this pathway to their original area to join with holes the electric field send there. The electron surge offers the current and the electric field make a voltage. With both current path and voltage we can produce power.

Part of the lecture was about The Doping Model, The Fermi level (the chemical potential) and power and efficiency in the solar cell. About efficiency based on my research on the internet triple-junction compound solar cell can gain more efficiency than other product-around 35.8%. It is not similar to other silicon-based solar cells which normally used in solar panels for the home or office buildings. This product made from compounds “including indium and gallium”. Compound solar cells usually used on space satellites and they are costly to make.

Solar cells have three different generations. First Generation is “Silicon, second generation is Thin Film Structures which included Amorphous Silicon, III-V Solar Cells, II-VI Solar Cells, I-III-VI2 Solar Cells and organic Solar Cells and the third generation is Structures that exceed the single PN-junction thermodynamic conversion limit”.

The conclusion of the lecture was more concentrated on the Silicon. It is clear that the Silicon is the best and it will be the best for ever. Also second generation of solar cells provide a miniature competition to Silicon however this is momentary and third Generation of the solar cells are hardly challenging to make itself to the better position but technologically it is not possible.

Different Types of Solar Thermal Power Production

- Parabolic troughs systems
Parabolic trough system use a bended trough which reflects the direct solar radiation onto a pipe containing a fluid which is called a receiver, absorber or collector running the length of the trough above the reflectors. The trough is parabolic in one direction and straight in the other direction. For change of position of the sun perpendicular to the receiver the trough tilts so that the direct radiation remains focused on the receiver. One advantage of parabolic trough systems is their potential for storing solar thermal energy to use during non-solar periods and to dispatch when it's needed most.

- Paraboloid or dish systems
The advantage of a dish system is that it can achieve much higher temperatures due to the higher concentration of light. Higher temperatures lead to better conversion to electricity and the dish system is very efficient on this point. However, there are also some disadvantages. Heat to electricity conversion requires moving parts and those results in maintenance. In general, a centralized approach for this conversion is better than the decentralized concept in the dish design. Second the heavy engine is part of the moving structure which requires a rigid frame and strong tracking system. Furthermore, parabolic mirrors are used instead of flat mirrors and tracking must be dual-axis.

- Power tower systems
The advantage of this design above the parabolic trough design is the higher temperature as well. Thermal energy at higher temperatures can be converted to electricity more efficiently and can be more cheaply stored for later use. in addition, there is less need to flatten the ground area. In principle a power tower can be built on a hillside. Mirrors can be flat and plumbing is concentrated in the tower. The disadvantage is that each mirror must have its own dual-axis control while in the parabolic trough design one axis can be shared for a large array of mirrors.

- Solar chimneys
Solar chimney often referred to as a thermal chimney. It is a new method of improving the natural ventilation of buildings by using convection of air heated by passive solar energy. A simple description of a solar chimney is that of a vertical shaft utilizing solar energy to enhance the natural stack ventilation through a building. The solar chimney can work better by adding a tremble wall. The advantage of this design is that the system may be reversed during the cold season, providing solar heating instead. Another advantage is the collector can use all solar radiation, both direct and diffused. Also Due to the heat storage system the solar chimney will operate 24h on pure solar energy. Consider that the building materials needed for solar chimneys, mainly concrete and glass and they are available everywhere.

Different Types of Solar Thermal Collectors

Flat plate collectors
Flat-plate solar collector is one type of the solar collectors. The other major types are evacuated tube collectors and batch solar heaters. It is the most familiar solar collectors to use in solar water-heating systems and mostly use for homes and small office buildings for solar space heating. It is basically included of “an insulated metal box with a glass or plastic cover (the glazing) and a dark-colored absorber plate.”

- Tubular collectors
Different principals of evacuated tubular calculator are heat pipe evacuated tubular calculator and all glass evacuated tubular calculator. The simplest modules are made of two connected tube. The selective surface on the outer side of the inner tube is vacuumed incased. The fluid to extract heat must be passed in and out at the same end of the inner tube. One major of disadvantage of this collector compare to others is the necessity of using cylindrical shape.

- Compound parabolic collectors
If we want to stay away from the need of keeping the collector aperture pointed to the sun we are able to simply use compound parabolic collector. We can collect and concentrate solar energy from multiple directions to the one point. By using this technique when the sun moves across the sky we can accept and concentrate the solar thermal energy all day.

- Parabolic concentrators
Increasing solar energy capture can be reached by employing longer curved reflectors to take larger areas for sunshine and redirect that solar energy to a smaller center. The parabolic collectors can produce more solar energies at the focal plane or focal line. Because of the geometry and aperture of the collector it must directly face the sun to avoid loss of collection efficiency and maintain the location so the collector need complex and expensive mechanical tracking devices to keep it pointed to the sun all the time.

- Dish concentrators
Dish concentrators using parabolic dish formed mirrors to focus the received solar radiation onto a receiver that is situated at the focal point of the dish. The fluid in the receiver is heated to very high temperatures and then used to generate electricity in a small sterling engine which is attached to the receiver. Parabolic dish systems are the most efficient of all solar technologies “at approximately 25% efficient compare to around 20% for other solar thermal technologies.”

- Heliostat fields
The middle receiver solar power plant is composed to the lots of independently stirred mirrors which is called heliostat. They are focusing the solar radiation onto a tower mounted receiver. The amount of the energy which is received all depends on three different things. “First the characteristic angles of individual heliostats, second the incidence angle of the sun rays striking individual heliostats and the third the blocking and shading effect of each heliostat.”

Subsidizing Corn‐Based Ethanol

It is clear that scientists think the corn based ethanol is a very unfortunate policy because first, it offers a small amount of net energy after we consider the amount of the energy for production. As a fact, more energy we loss to make ethanol from grain than the combustion of ethanol produces. Second, using corn for fuel will raise food costs in the community. Third, ethanol has a negative balance power. “Ethanol from corn and wood biomass requires 29%, 50%, and 57% more energy” to create the ethanol than the energy restricted within the fuel. “Adding up the energy costs of corn production and its conversion to ethanol, 131,000 Btu are needed to make one gallon of ethanol. One gallon of ethanol has an energy value of only 77,000 Btu”

Unfortunately federal and state are disagreed and claimed that in Brazil people productively use sugar cane based ethanol. But the fact is sugar cane ethanol is more efficient -produces more net energy- and it made of waste left over after the extraction of sugar and also would not affect the food prices in society. The whole discussion about corn based ethanol brings two questions in the public minds. How federal and state public policies are -regarding to the issue- connected to the farming sector? And then how farmers assisted state and federal election campaigns to gain this?

Since the ethanol production requires a big quantity of energy and the majority energy in the country is created from coal the small reduction in CO2 and other polluting emissions from burning ethanol versus gasoline will be more than standard by the power needed to produce the ethanol. Also “ethanol produced has a small energy yield per hectare”. Therefore, it needs a large quantity of land to produce a significant amount of ethanol. Consider that the “20% of the whole corn crop was used to create ethanol, and it offset only 1% of US oil use” in 2008.

The majority of economic studies show that the manufacture of the corn to ethanol- if we believe the costs of environmental- it will damages our environment more than we can visualize. For example, soiling in the corn farming is a very difficult work to achieve. It is involved with “nitrogen fertilizer and petroleum-based pesticides”. Another consideration for ethanol is necessitating the farm to water. Water is limited in the country specially places close to the corn farm. As we mentioned before since corn can count as a food, ethanol production is increasing food prices like meat, milk, eggs and other grocery product because is about “70 percent of corn grain is fed to livestock and poultry in the United States”. For sure this change will attack the economy in the Unites States other parts of the world. Finally, although we want to be optimistic and wish that the all transportation services in the United States get the service with hundred percent of ethanol in the reality we will need to grow the corn feedstock all over on our land area and corn will cover nearly the total places in the United States.

But it is a big difference between the algae and corn based ethanol. For example since the country require the enormous oil needs the algae farms would take only about 15,000 square miles to produce sufficient biodiesel to meet our transportation requirements and it is possible in actuality. In fact each algae farm can be just 120 miles by 120 miles with less than 50 algae farms with only 300 square miles each to get the goal reach. Also algae is more economical and renewable as well as it will not going to displace food crop. In addition, algae are truly easier to handle than other resources since it does not require the level of filtering or titrating. In conclusion it is a desire that users learn how to make algae bio diesel for themselves at home or other places. Then they can to be more responsible for their own energy requirements and stop waiting for big energy corporations to deliver energy to them.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Guest Lecture Christopher Davey

The lecture started with two important points. First what are the renewable energy resources and what is the Enviro Mission in the 21 century. Renewable energy is energy produced from natural resources like sunlight, wind, rain, soil. “In 2006 around 18% of global final energy consumption came from renewable energy resources plus 13% from traditional biomass (wood-burning). The next largest renewable source is hydroelectricity which presents 3% of global energy consumption and 15% of global electricity generation. The Enviro Mission Global Solar is a tower developer who is established network of global partners and doing projects underway in the southwest. One of their big projects is a solar updraft tower power generating station recognized as “Solar Tower Buronga” in Buronga, New South Wales which started in 2001.” The height of the tower will be approximately twice as the world’s tallest structure.

The renewable energy resources have different benefits included 100% green resources with zero water, zero emission, zero fossil fuel, more reliable cost, more flexibility on hours to operate and site flexibility. Some of the technologies in renewable energy are nuclear, wind, photovoltaic and solar power. But need to consider that on top of the advantage they have disadvantage. Although nuclear power has a very high capital costs it has long development lifecycle and politically sensitive. Wind power doesn’t have a storage capability and really unreliable but the caption cost is moderate on that. Photovoltaic also has an extremely high caption cost with very expensive to install, expensive to storage and it just can operate 4 to 6 hours per day. Finally solar power is not economical in storage with high caption cost and can just operate 6 to 8 hours per day.

The attractive part in the lecture was solar tower section. Solar tower is a projected type of renewable-energy power plant. In fact it is a combination of three old and established technologies like chimney outcome, greenhouse outcome, and wind turbines. The producing skill of the solar tower mainly depends on two different factors. First the size of the tower such as collector size and chimney height and second the volume of air which needs to get warmed to run up to the chimney.

The solar tower has a big advantage over wind powers and other solar producer. The solar tower is based on no wind program and can work 24 hours and 7 days a week. They are also low costs with sustainable energy (zero water and fossil fuel use), it has more than 75 life expectation, integrates with variety of heat forms storage (hot air can be stored inside the collector region to be used to warm the air later on.) and being eco-energy for the 21st century. In addition, in our era solar tower can be a major motivated option in energy projects since it has lots of advantages compare to other developments.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Why do people hate wind energy so much?

Public perception to any new product is very important to shape people reaction to that product. Wind power was one of the subjects that bring lots of discussions and arguments to the public. As we know wind turbines are local issues and people have not experience them before so when wind farms started to develop in some areas the residence are affected by other peoples who doesn’t have any knowledge of wind power in action and other resources such as public media.

Some surveys exposed that 85% of the community support the use of general renewable energy and 80% are support of the use of wind power and even 70% would be have a problem to live within 5 miles of a wind power farms. Although it proves that the majority of the public report about wind turbines is positive considering the negative view of the wind power is necessarily.

There are couple reasons that people disgust the wind power. First people think wind turbines are not natural looking. This seems to come from the people who believe nature should be perfect and not spoiled by signs of human activity. Second people think wind turbines are not truly very effective and they are more a public relations trick. This is usually come from engineers who have done the numbers critical in the field. In fact those engineers are not disagreed with the wind generation as much as they are disappointed of the public reaction to the wind power. They try to argue that wind power will not solve all energy problems in the world. The third is wind turbines kill more birds than it should be but by checking the charts and graphs the numbers of the birds killed by glass tower is much bigger than wind turbines. Also in reality the number of the birds who killed by wind turbine is less than 1%. Fourth they are nice to look at but work as a noise factor. In fact wind farms are not really close to the resident area and the noise will not make any problems for dweller. As a result all these people think the wind generation is a dangerous distraction and it will make more problems instead of solving any.

People with negative approach should accept that the wind energy is one of the world's fastest growing sources of energy. Factually hundreds of new wind turbines are developing from fields across the world every year. With such explosive growth the questions about what they should look like or where they must and must not be installed is meaningless. The more important thing is be concerned about our usages in the world and try to conserve our natural resources.
Internal heat gain = electrical equipment and residents of the house give off the heat in the building. Heat gain from electricity is almost equal to the electricity usage in a building or zone. The average use of the electricity in American house is 11,000 kWh/yr. Some examples are microwave, computer laptop, coffee maker, TV and refrigerator. The best ways to manage or reduce internal heat are first change our equipments to more efficient product (energy star product), second reduce the use when it is not necessarily and the third use ceiling fans or indoor air motion in hit days of summer instead of air conditioning.

Conventional heating = since the conventional heating truly can save amount of energy and money for people the best way to reduce the energy consumption is check the existing heating system and ensure that the system works accurate. If not, consider purchasing a high efficiency model since they would help to reduce energy costs as well as conserve our natural resources. As the software recommended us for some area like Los Angeles, design a garage or storage space on the side of the building facing the coldest wind could help insulate.

Passive solar direct gain low mass and high mass = for passive solar gain main thing is help the building to gain more solar power and keep the heat inside. Material of the building would make a big difference in keeping heat. Accurate insulation for the floor and wall can keep the heat inside during the winter. As it is recommended on the program it is better to face most of the glass area south to maximize winter sun contacts but design some overhangs or sun shade to completely shade glass area in the summer time. Also it is better to not be planted trees in front of passive solar windows.

Sun shading = Sun shading is really important for Los Angeles area since they need maximum sun shading for winter and minimum sun shading for summer. So each season has a different approach to it. As mentioned on the top create some overhangs to completely shade glass area in the summer time help the house to keep the energy inside the building. In some windy climate sun shading can protect the house from the wind as well as sun.

Comfort = Comfort in the building deign need to consider as well. By design the Sunny wind-protected outdoor spaces we can reduce the energy waste in colder area. In addition, in some climate area like LA square footage of the building is important. When floor area is smaller the amount of the waste by heating and cooling energy is less as well.

Monday, October 5, 2009

I didn’t know it would be that hard. Well, I wrote about the baby in my notes during my classes when I was pregnant and it turned to be a problem now. Whenever I go through my notes to study I see my writing and the story start again. Tears, tears and tears.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

اینجا نشستم و با خودم حرف میزنم، از متیو میپرسم یعنی فکر میکنی من آخر داستان خوب میشم؟؟؟ میگه جسمی آره ولی مغزی مطمئن نیستم

Thursday, October 1, 2009


من سالها بود كه خدا را باور نداشتم چون همیشه فکر میکردم خدای كه نتونه جهانه بی نقص خلق کنه خدا نیست. خدای كه جنگ را برای لذت خلق کنه خدا نیست. خدای كه از درد کشیدن دیگران اخم نکنه خدا نیست. روزی كه این کوچولو ته دلم جوونه زد، داشتم شک میکردم به اعتقادم. كه شاید واقعا خدایی هم باشه كه بتونه شادی بیاره. حالا کاملا گم شدم
دلم قرص فراموشی میخواد. باید یادم بره. میخوام كه یادم بره. درد از روح ام آغاز شده و تمام جسمم را در از بین میبره. روز دوشنبه کوچولوی ۲ ماهه و نیمه ام را از دست دادم. دردش تمام بدنم را داره داغون میکنه

از چهارشنبه پیش شروع شد. صبح چهارشنبه وقتی كه رفتیم مطب دکتر ازم خواست كه برم برای اولترا سند. خیلی درد داشتم. چند روزی میشد كه از درد نتونسته بودم راحت بخوابم. ولی توی اتاق اولترا سند همه چی از یادم رفت. وقتی كه عکسش روی صفحه مانیتور ظاهر شد مثل اینکه همه دنیا دوره سرم میچرخید. داشت دست و پا میزد مثل ماهی قرمزی كه توی تنگ آب شنا میکنه. صدای ضربان قلبش آرامم کرد. اونجا بود. خیالم راحت شده بود از اینکه جاش راحته. تنها چیزی كه نگرانم میکرد این بود كه درد داشتم. دکتر باهام حرف زد و گفت كه همه چی خوبه ولی اگر بچه حس کنه كه نمیتونه کامل رشد کنه خودش جلوی رشد خودش را میگیره

جمعه درد بیشتر شد و بدن ام شروع کرد به خونریزی. وقتی كه زنگ زدم به بیمارستان گفتند كه اگه مقدار خونریزی کم است هیچ خطری نیست و بیخود نگران نباشم. این داستان تا یکشنبه شب ادامه پیدا کرد تا اینکه وقتی ساعت ۲ نیمه شب دیدم كه دیگه فاصله درد و خون را از هم تشخیص نمیدم فهمیدم كه دارم از دستش میدم. صبح روز دوشنبه توی مطب دکتر تا قبل از اینکه دستگاه اولترا سند را روشن کنه هنوز ته دلم امید داشتم كه حالش خوبه. وقتی دستگاه را روشن کرد خشک ام زد. بچه مثل ماهی قرمز های شب عید كه چند روز بعد از عید میمیرن مرده بود
I am so sorry sweetie هیچی نمیشنیدم. فقط صدای دکتر از ۱۰۰۰ کیلومتر اونطرف تر آمد كه گفت
و بعد دستی كه بغلم کرد و سعی کرد جلوی هق هق گریه ام را بگیره. بعدش را یادم نیست. فکر کنم چند ساعت را توی اتاق بودم تا حالم جا بیاد. دکتر میخواست بدونه كه تصمیم دارم چه کنم؟ میخوام برم برای جراحی یا اینکه صبر کنم كه بدن ام خودش بچه را پس بده. گیج بودم و نمیتونستم تصمیم بگیرم
سعی کرد جای هر دوتامون تصمیم بگیره Med
گفت كه جراحی میکنیم و قرار جراحی را گذاشت برای چهارشنبه صبح. ولی همون شب خونریزی بدتر شد و قبل از اینکه بفهمم زیر سرم مرفین بدن ام بچه را پس داد. بعد از آن فقط درد دارم و درد و درد. روحی بیشتر از جسمی

Monday, September 21, 2009

Computer Modeling Simulation

Although computer simulation in building is a main key for the study of energy efficiency in buildings first thing to consider is understand the definition of the computer simulation. Computer simulation is create a model of a theoretical physical system, complete this model on a digital computer program, analyze the output, compare the result and finally choose the best option which can give the most efficient result.

Inside the overall task of simulation there are three main sub-fields such as “model design, model execution and model analysis.” Simulation has a principle of leaning by practicing. To learn about the system is better to first build a model then operate this model. The use of simulation is an activity that is as natural as a child who role plays. Children understand the world around them by simulating. The majority of their connections with other people, animals, objects and their environment are based on learn by practice as well as make a mistake and gain experience. For instance they don’t know by pouring the sugar on the table they can build a sugar cone until they experience it. It is an opportunity that nature gave them to use their natural ability to learn during process. As an adult some of these childlike manners are lost during the time but it brings back to us through computer simulation design. In fact computer simulation is the electronic equivalent of role playing and it serves to drive synthetic environments and virtual worlds.

Simulation and modeling can be directly use as a design tool for any type of building and it has become essential part of many designs. It is a powerful and significant tool because offers a way to understand and explore different alternatives in design, plans and/or policies. Also it is less expensive, time-consuming and more practical to work with. Main advantage of simulation is before a building constructed it will allow the designers to optimize the energy use and efficiency of the building. During the design process designers have a chance to ask different question about the project like What if? Or how about this instead of that? These questions give them the opportunity to make changes as much as they want instead of changing the actual system.

In addition, for the exciting structures simulation could become a very helpful tool with the urge to improve efficiency of the buildings. Designers can model exciting building and try to optimize the energy use by varying different parameters in the structure such as window location, insulation materials, materials used for shading, lighting system, HVAC and air conditioning. Designers can monitor or measurer the impact of these changes on the overall energy efficiency and recommend changes to be implemented in the structure. With the recent development in the analysis and design tools modelers are able to correlate the simulation results with data collected from the actual structure. This has filled the gap between analyses and experiment.

Modeling process is a connection between designer, computer model, input data, and output result. Since many aspects of models need a fair conclusion designer and the model should be strongly connected to each other. As an example in the design process designer make an individual decision about which data is essential to use, how much detail need to be involved during the process and how to make the model more efficient and useful for public. In each particular project designer take time and effort to understand and recognize the limitation inherent in the model formulation, identify the errors, make a correction in details, calculation their response and obtain the best result.

Each model is generally designed for the specific project because in each project designer build the model based on the information and data on that specific situation and condition which is not similar to other circumstance. Sometimes the final result is not what a designer expected and it is fixable by comparison between simulation results. Also designer can check the result in different programs to get the most reasonable answer. After comparing the result in the simulation process designer need to replaced the exciting program to the better program if “better data is existing, more precise or more revealing analysis is performed on the data and an alternative formulation data provides as much insight with as much precision and more efficiently (lower data requirement or faster computational speed)”.

In the simulation programs the level of details of a model is a subject to concern. The model is worked based on variety detail and existing data which is really important in the modeling. Different programs give an opportunity to designers to add different type of detail during modeling but they should consider how much and what sort of detail they need to put in. Adding up the incorrect details to the process will change the numbers in the report and the result will not be practical at the end. The inclusion of extra detail can mislead the people because in some cases it shows that model is too expensive to use or need too much data requirement. Another duty of designer is collect all available data for the project because model can not create an outstanding result if data information does not exist or it is not completed. Also need to remember that if data were updated during the time of the design process it is a designer responsibility to replace or update the old information with new data.

Design process in meaning is similar to the meaning of investigation during design. If two designers attack a same challenge although they would naturally start from different points and process by dissimilar way they reach the same conclusion at the end. But during the design process both designers need to consider the all options such as R values, insulation, and door and window area and building construction.

Model should not be similar to a container that we just add information into it. The value of the model is dependent on the quality of the data, the way of designer using it and the amount of the details. It is good to remember that in design process first requirement for modelers is patient because sometimes the result of the work is disappointing and designers need to redo the all process of the design, add additional data to the program or compare data’s to get a better result. In general designers have three source of difficulty during their design process including:” experimental error (or noise), confusion of correlation with causation and complexity of the effects studies.”

If modelers consider some basic principles in modeling they make the design process simpler. “Model simple, think complicated” which means model doesn’t need to be as complicated as actuality and designers can think complex during process and have a simple final model. It seems little bit confusing because knowing how much simple or complicated the model needs to be is not an easy option to manage and some experience would be helpful. “Start small and add” is a second principle. The third principle is “dividing and conquers, avoid super large models”. As Pidd – professor of management science in the management school of Lancaster University- recommended in his paper, this is a common advice given to all modeler who is trying to understand how a complicated system operates. Designer should be stay away from falling in love with data and try to be realistic about them is another principle. The last principle for designers is “model building may feel like modeling through. “

Simulation system design in each project is developed by different alternative. In passive solar system simulations are developed by conduction, convection, and radiation relationship which describe the heat flow rate occurring in a building. In simulation some loads are more complicated to estimate than others. For instance, cooling load in passive solar system is more difficult loads to estimate compare to heating loads on both small (hourly) and large (annually) scale. The reason is “first, the difference between indoor and outdoor air temperature is typically smaller in cooling application so that the effect of solar radiation absorption on building surfaces is significant. Second, the ambient temperature may oscillate around the desired indoor temperature causing building thermal capacitance effects to be important. Third, the significant portion of the cooling load may result from the removal of water vapor from the air.”

In computer simulation it is really difficult to control the all parts of the design process and no matter how sophisticated a computer model becomes many limitation remains and they arise from the numbers of aspects. The mathematical imperfection that exits in the solution process, the difficulty of accurately modeling impacts and the rough calculation of complex modeling structure are some example of these limitation computers modeling in the building design process.

Design tool for building generally is classified as simulation or correlations. Simulations provide information on system performance over short (hourly) intervals of time. Correlations offer estimate of long term (monthly or annual). One of the best ways to establish a most excellent building design is to use simulation directly as a design tool. With a correct formulated simulation program and sufficient meteorological data every thing can be estimated and predicted. Simulation programs have a big variety in design field and they are available to community to use. However architect, engineers, designers and others who need to use the modeling program are more comfortable to use some programs that give them more options to play around during the design process, simpler to use, user friendly with more economical price.

Simulation programmers provide several suggestions to new designers to help them to accomplish a better design in the less period of the time. Planning a high-quality of process is as important as a planning a computer design. The model produced should be documented and maintained and be available to all designers to compare the result with each other and use the best available option. Superior contact with other designer is required because understanding and communication would develop across design group boundaries. Be cautious about each small detail which is involved in the design process since wrong number can lead the result to the wrong direction. The design should be carefully "partitioned" in the design process since it is easier to manage for later design groups. Even if it is possible for a small group of people to design and build out the entire project at the architectural level it is not possible at later levels of design.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

HVAC

The question is what HVAC is and why as an architect we need to be familiar with this system. Basically HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning and it is essentially heating and cooling systems in the building.

Choose the HVAC is the first priority in building system and use the right one which is size-appropriate to the building type is really important because achieve the high level of efficiency and human comfort is a main key in buildings. In addition, maintenance service and set up the accurate system, volume of the system not simple task for designers and architect. For example use the heating system which is too large or too small for the residential project will give an inefficient system that cost more money in long term of period. Also big air conditioner will make an uncomfortable climate inside the building plus extra cost to run. It is even more important for commercial building such as museum, aquarium, office building and skyscrapers because base on the size of the users of the building HVAC system have to be energy efficient and functional and it is also has to offer a healthy and safe place to consumers.

The main job of HVAC system is to control room humidity and temperature. Since the uncomfortable place can influence people’s abilities successful control of those factors will minimize health related problems. High humidity reduces strength in human body which typically causes tiredness as well as “hypothermia, heat stroke, and hyperpyrexia”.

HVAC system has different jobs. Heating job is important in maintaining room temperature especially during colder climate. There are two different type of heating system such as local and central. Central more frequently used because it is economical and safe. Ventilation job is the process of changing air in public or private spaces. It manages temperature and eliminates humidity, smoke, dust, extra heat and bacteria. It let carbon dioxide to go out and oxygen to get inside and make sure the air is circulating and people are getting fresh and clean air. The air-conditioning system and refrigeration job is managed the both heat and ventilation. It works base on the proccess of radiation, convection, and conduction. It means by removing the heat from the area make the place more pleasant for indoor user.

LEED

LEED or The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a global standard green building certification system which offers a new standard for environment friendly and sustainable design. It developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in United States at 1994 and provides a service to architects, engineers, developers, building owners and other industry leaders. It is also covers the building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. LEED has a different certification standard such as new construction and major renovation projects, existing building operations, commercial interiors projects, core and shell projects, homes and neighborhood development.

Comparing LEED certified building to other building which built base on building code; LEED regularly use resources more efficiently than others and frequently offers more eco friendly option to environment. Building types in LEED are includes offices, retail and service establishments, institutional buildings such as libraries, schools, museums and religious institutions and also hotels and residential buildings. LEED system provides the service to all 50 states of the United States and 91 countries and more than 40.000 projects are contributing.

LEED service works base on points. In face, “there are 100 possible base points plus 6 points for innovation in design and 4 points for regional priority”. Some of the categories are sustainable site 26 possible points, water efficiency 5 points, materials and resources 14 points, indoor environmental quality 15 points. Also each section divided by smaller option. For instance sustainable site has some option such as construction activity pollution prevention plan which is required, site selection 1 point, storm water manegment 2 points, reduse heat island 2 points, light pollution reduction 1 point and etc… By adding points building can be qualify for four special level of certification including Certified - 40-49 points, Silver - 50-59 points, Gold - 60-79 points, Platinum - 80 points and above. It is really user friendly service and after submitting an application online with documents and requirements consumer pay registration and certification fees and certification is going to process and decided by the Green Building Council.

Buildings including residential and commercial are account for 40% of energy usage and CO2 emissions and designing an eco friendly building is necessarily in our decade. Thus it brings a big responsibility to architects and other people who are involved in building industry. By having a good standard certification system architects could achieve their goals which is using less energy, water efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, CO2 emissions reduction and gaining healthier environment for all community.

ENERGY STAR

It is a worldwide standard program which created by United State Department of Energy and United State Environmental Protection Agency. This program is planned to recognize and promote energy efficiency of products, reduce greenhouse gas emission, reduce global warming gases, protect the environment, save money and energy for consumers around the world. This standard start working at 1992 in the United State by labeled computer and monitor and then they extended their service by labeling the additional office products, residential and commercial heating equipment, residential air conditioning, home electronics, and lighting products. Since the success of this program in United State was more than community expected, numerous European countries decided to adopt it as well. Due to the research any equipment which meets the standard and gain Energy Star Logo can save 20% to 30% on energy usages on average.

The Energy Star designed to use for residential, industrial and commercial. In fact using the service for residential can save at least a third on families’ energy bill and also for business can create twice the saving. For example last year Americans saved $19 billion on their utility bills plus improved home comfort. In addition they gained even more benefits such as tax credit from state and federal, avoid greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment. ENERGY STAR could effectively delivered energy to businesses, owners, designers and organization and saved money for them. Also influenced companies to use more efficient product such as fluorescent lighting, LED lighting (Light Emitting Diode) and low standby energy use. Fluorescent lighting uses 70% less energy than other lights and lasts up to more than ten times longer than normal incandescent lights.

One of the popular services of Energy Star is for entertainment sector. Probably we never imagine that saving energy will be a possibility when we go to museums, theater, stadium or convention center. ES has online tools and resources for entertainment industry and guides them to greener environment. Quick Reference Guide to Benchmarking, Webinars, and news articles about managing energy and being green are some of their tools. St. Louis Cardinals’ Busch Stadium and Virginia Beach Convention Center are two good examples of this service.

In the last decade energy prices turn to be a hot topic and a main alarm for community and also finding a trustable standard was not easy. Energy building by labeling equipment with better performance for each business and organization could open a new chapter in energy efficiency and cost savings. It brought a better product for better world.

Sustinable design...

01. The First Law of Thermodynamics is energy into the system = useful energy which is delivered + wasted energy. Energy efficiency is useful energy out divided by energy input. By achieve a bigger number from this calculation we increase our efficiency. For example by using a compacts fluorescents bulb in the house we can increase the efficiency

02. Buildings consume over 40% of the total energy and it is growing fast than we can imagine, this number by 2030 will enlarge to 55%. Current model for home use 190 thousand joules per square meter and the best prototype is 11 thousand joules per square meter which can make a big deference in saving energy. Most primary energy uses in US are lighting (for commercial sector 25.2% and residential sector 6.8%) and space heating and water heating (for residential sector 39.8%, 16.9% and commercial sector 32.4%).But climate make a big difference. For example in Phoenix area air conditioning has a bigger number compare to space heating. Data from US department of energy and Hunn Chapter 01.

03. ENERGY STAR Program is a program which “voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products in order to achieve long-lasting market transformation.” It is cover the entire building sector like office equipment, residential, new homes, commercial buildings, major appliances, home electronics, windows and also residential and commercial lighting.

04. LEED Green Building Rating System which is a national standard for sustainable buildings. It is Some LEED certification standards are New construction and major renovation projects (NC), Existing building operations (EB), Commercial interiors projects (CI), Core and shell projects (CS), Homes (H) and Neighborhood development (ND)

05. Simulation Programs is a building thermal simulation which allows us to model a building before or after renovations. Also give a chance to architects and designers to try different energy alternatives, compare them and use the best option. It is more economical and less time consuming.

06. HVAC = Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning. HVAC systems help to control the climate and humidity and keep dwellers comfortable by regulating the temperature and air flow.

Climate change motivation...

Climate change bring different question to peoples mind. What is the definition of the climate change? Is it the certain countries inaccuracy? What is the responcibility of the public? And how individuals can help? Although climate change is not a short term change and it happened over periods of time that range from decades to millions of years in current decade is become a huge intricate for the world. Some people even believe that climate change like global warming is out of control and no one has power to change the fact.

The climate-change motivation is have a discussion in three things. First “human fossil fuel burning causes carbon dioxide concentrations to rise, Second carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and third increasing the greenhouse effect increases average global temperatures (and has many other effects).”

Carbon dioxide was rising during the time (1000AD to the present) but after the Industrial Revolution from (1800AD to 2000AD) the increase rate has been exponential. It started increasing when James Watt introduced his steam engine to the society. At the same time British coal production started to go up as well. Coal production was used to create iron, to build and power transportation system like ships and locomotive and to heat up houses. The usage of the coal production was growing extraordinarily. For example in the 30 years from 1769 to 1800, yearly use of coal production doubled and then in 1830 it had doubled again and then in 20 years later doubled again and still continues. It was not just happening in England, in other countries same thing was starting after industrial revolution. In producing CO2 emissions oil production is slightly less effective than the coal.

Since people were successful by doubling or tripling CO2 concentration lot of things will be changed in the future. First increasing the intensity of the sun by 2%, second global temperature goes up almost 3 ◦C. third “the Greenland icecap would gradually melt, and, over a period of few 100 years, sea-level would rise by about 7 meters.” The last and not least is changing the ecosystem for humans, animals and plants.

Why it is important to use numbers in planning and policy debate?

Planning and policy debate is basically attached to the numbers and often questions can make a better explanation by numbers. When people are not aware of the amount of energy they use in a day the influence of using extra energy in the community will be harder to recognize for them. In addition by numbers they will have a better view of the amount of the each energy source in surrounding and the cost of it. One of our goals is decrease energy consumption in the world and to achieve this target it is better to use simple and acceptable numbers.

Simple numbers are more understandable, memorable and easier to compare information together. Apply the adjective instead of numbers will confuse public about reality. For example use “huge” as an alternative of actual amount. Using the acceptable number is as important as using simple numbers. Employ a huge number especially when it is not necessarily can be meaningless to the public. For example “American buys 2.6 billion napkin boxes per year” is not inform people but “Switching your gas and electricity supplier could save you up to $340 a year” is more real and practical.

Since sometimes numbers are selected to impress, change the fact, arguments or scare people instead of educating them using number when it is not a need can bring distrust to community. For instance in a climate when public don’t pay attention to numbers mass communication media such as news papers, radio and companies can provide wrong information.

Different questions about renewable energy, climate change, dioxide pollution and energy crisis are easier to explain with numbers. Some questions are: can people make a difference in the energy crisis by biking or walking instead of driving a car? How much energy efficiency will increase by using fluorescent lighting and LED lighting (Light Emitting Diode) instead of regular lighting? How much carbon dioxide pollution will reduce by changing our life style to advanced technology like hybrid car?

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Stephen Ehrlich

Tonight’s lecture was one of the best spring lecture series. I really enjoyed Stephen Ehrlich’s projects. Creative, clean and programmatic design was some of the main features of his designs. Culture and community needs were two different elements that helped him develop his experience through design. Inspiration was another important key for him that he utilized in his projects. In most of his work the footprints of the inspiration was noticeable. In one of his projects he got his inspiration from the color of the tree in the site which was amazing. His design process to me was similar to this: He got the plain idea, mixed it with culture, formed it with architectural scheme, added modern look to it, added inspiration, some more material and then design is ready.
The only thing that raised question in my mind was the budgeting. He didn’t talk about the budget and to me in most of his work budget was not an issue. In this economy I really want to see how he can apply his unique ideas to low income housing or tight budget projects?

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

White vs Gray Debate …

The establishment of the society can be seen as the establishment of order through conventions, or more specifically, the establishment of a language through symbolic codes.
The roots of the modern architecture lie on the functionalism that have driven architects to design buildings based on their purpose. The functionalism talks much about the origin of signs but little about their nature. It proposed new words but no rules for their combination and no grammatical frame work for their use. The greatest achievement of the artistic movements of late 20th century was to understand the limitation of functionalism.

There were two strong reactions against modern architecture and its aspirations toward an architectural language. Both movements stand in opposition to the ordered rationality of modernism. The first and most extreme form was characterized by The Grays which were known for their postmodernism way of thought. The Grays ideology began with the theory and practice of Robert Venturi. His publication “Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture” (1966) argues against the purity, simplicity and clarity of modernism.

The second reaction is most clearly represented by the work of Peter Eisenman and four other architects who were known as The Whites. Peter Eisenman attempted to address the more basic questions of language, the grammatical questions. “What are the limits, qualitatively and quantitatively to the lexicon of architectural signs? What makes certain configuration architectural? Which shapes can or can not be used? And more important is how should they be articulated?”

There is a noticeable difference between the two reactions. By comparing the house X built in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Vanna Venturi House which Venturi designed for his mother in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania we can recognize that Eisenman is mostly concerned with the systematization of an architectural formal language. “The process of design becomes an exploration of the syntactic combination of elements (beam, column, and frame)” . In House X the process of design is a process of research into formal structures and shapes which comes to life through the design.

Eisenman challenges the incoherent definition and languages of modernism. However, Venturi opposes the idea of a unique nature for architectural sign (classical or modernist), sees it as a more complex entity and detaches it from the underlying structure of language. Eisenman’s work is a reaction against the architectural signs itself and in particular the idea of the meaning of the sign. In the process of establishing this structure “Eisenman sacrifices not only functionalism but humanism itself”. Eisenman contributed in the development of a new inspiration to architecture and merged them with contemporary theories of linguistics and information theory.

These two architects have dissimilar approach to users. Eseinman named his buildings by numbers and designed houses that are more sculptural than livable. But Venturi and the other Gray architects designed not only with pure symbolism and historical example, but with the user in mind.

In Venturi’s design structure is more than just roof and walls. It is an organized space for a specific use and specific user. In his design space and user are part of the design process. The most famous picture of the Vanna Venturi House is the picture of the house with his mother sitting in a chair in front of her house. Also, Venturi considered history, context, social and cultural aspects in his design while Eisenman struggled with architectural form and language of modernism.

By comparing the works of these two architects side by side the similarities in their designs can be observed. “Concern for aesthetics of the single family house” and “lack of human scale in their design” are main similarities in House X and Vanna Venturi House. The material of the structure, building’s program and location of the houses obviously did not change their architectural agenda. In fact, they both considered the development of their ideology than any other aspect of their design.

Aside from the philosophy behind these two buildings, each house has its own uniqueness. They both have their own extraordinary features and manifest the ideology that is hidden in these buildings. It also depicts that thoughtful ideas by architects often result in outstanding designs. Both Eisenman and Venturi contributed significantly to architecture. They influenced and formed the future of the modern architecture although there were many differences in their design philosophy.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Eddie and Neal Jones

The lecture by Eddie and Neal Jones was incredible especially after a long day in studio and struggling with my project. I have a difficulty to solve the circulation in my studio project and at the end of the day I was almost losing my confidence and my patience. He started his lecture by telling a true story. The story was about his life and how he was working on his projects as a student with passion and creativity. During the lecture I was taking notes of his life lessons. In each project that he described you could see the philosophy behind each building design. “What does each building want to be?” Where landscape begins and ends and does it even have a beginning and ending or not?
Eddie Jones mentioned the beauty of a literal garden and in his projects landscaping was combined with buildings and one could not make a border between them. Everything that he did was followed by his final comment. “Never stop caring.” The passion and consideration for architecture in their designs were truly noticeable. He gave me plenty of positive energy and forced me to look at my project as a new opportunity to show my interest in architecture and to believe in my creativity.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Usman Haque and Omar Khan’s lecture

Although the Usman Haque and Omar Khan’s lecture was really interesting I had a hard time understanding the motivation behind their projects. For example “Open Burble” design by Usman Haque included of many white helium balloons attached together with a cell phone receiver inside each balloon. These cell phones were connected to colored lights separately. When people on the ground were calling a particular receiver inside one of the balloons, that balloon’s color was changing. It looks bright and incredible but what is his philosophy behind it? He didn’t provide any reason for coordinating and designing any of his work. Most of his design was excellent and flashy to watch for the first time and get excited with technology but nothing more than this. It was more about watching a new computer game with different colors and fancy look. “Moving Columns” by Omar Khan was another example of this absence of purpose. Depending on the level of carbon dioxide in the air, these columns were moving up or down. However, the reason behind using CO2 was not really clear. Why he didn’t use oxygen instead? On the other hand, Usman’s presentation was really nice but it did not discuss the philosophy and function of their design.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Gabby Shawcross’s lecture at ASU

Gabby Shawcross’ lecture was different in many ways than other lectures I have been to. In the first few minutes of the lecture two main questions popped in my mind. How sustainable their projects are? And also whether they used light in their design as an ornament or not? Although I got lots of good information from this lecture these questions are still unanswered for me.

At the end of the lecture I was certain that they picked light as a communication tool to make a connection between spaces and people. I believe that is what many architects attempt to achieve in their designs. For example Memory Project in London's Southbank is all about people, spaces and the relationship between them. It is a fascinating idea especially the ability to walk back to the earlier time of the day. Inside the structure, thermal cameras can detect people and show the surrounding of the building in a particular time as a function of people’s position with respect to the screen.

They are also very creative in using light features as an architectural tool. I think by listening to his lecture we could really observe their design philosophy. Also in some projects like Aeolian Tower, and Wind to Light I realized that there is a lot of usable energy in the nature that is not being used appropriately and has lots of potentials to be utilized in our day to day life.

Messie’s Lecture in ASU

Lecture was really interesting. Footprint of the nature was visible in all of his works especially when he was talking about frozen earth as a mold, using the beams with the same color of the landscape trees and having the skylight in the shower. He is very passionate about his work and honest about what he is doing and you can see this excitement in his designs. About digital world, I have had Jason Griffiths as a studio instructor last semester and he was giving us the lecture about digital world during the semester. I had to learn Rhino for my final project but I never deeply believed on digital methodologies to create building forms. In the lecture today I could really see the future of the design and how we can have our original ideas and push it to the unique design with technology. Also, I was fascinated with the way he builds things with his hands and experiences the new material in his design.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

It is good to be unknown

Well, I am so happy to write here. I can write about whatever I want because nobody knows about this blog and nobody really cares.:)

Sad Moment :(

Believe me, I really need to write. It made me cry so badly. I have an exam tomorrow but I can not even read a single page. It is crazy. I use to read the news every morning to know what is going on around the world but I wish I haven't had this habit. Today I read an article about execution in Iran. Well, article has some pictures of the person who has been executed. Oh, my god, I couldn't believe it. In one image he was smiling. Smiling like a baby. He seems so naive and innocent to me. Gosh, he didn't know what is going on around or probably he didn't care at all. Knock, knock, Excuse me Mr.God I am a stupid educated person. Can you please explain it to me? Can you give me a definition for bad person? What was his fault? He was so young most likely my age or even younger. It was not any other way to help him to change? Who was his judge?

I have got embarrassed and started crying like a baby. Seriously think about it. He was part of my family. He was Iranian. Damn it what am I doing here? I am sitting in another country and cry for my unknown brother. Man, it is not fare. I can just name it "geographical Compulsion".