Artificial neural networks (ANN's) are more and more widely used in energy management processes. ANN's can be very useful in optimizing the energy demand of buildings, especially of those of high thermal inertia. These include the so-called solar buildings. For those buildings, a controller able to forecast not only the energy demand but also the weather conditions can lead to energy savings wh...

The solar{wind driven magnetosphere{ionosphere system is a classic example of a complex dynamical system (CDS). The de ning properties of a CDS are (1) sensitivity to initial conditions; (2) multiple space{time scales; (3) bifurcation sequences with hysteresis in transitions between attractors; and (4) noncompositionality. Noncompositionality means that the behavior of the system as a whole is ...

Satellite performance and capability have increased dramatically, particularly for micro- nanosatellites, requiring more power supply higher thermal conditions. Problems worth considering include how to provide with little or no weight increase, reduce satellite control difficulties. A new way decrease the temperature of solar panels on a was proposed. Firstly, model cells is presented, relatio...

Heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) are parts of the major energy consumption in a building. Conventional heating and cooling systems are having an impact on carbon dioxide emissions, as well as on security of energy supply. In this regard, one of the attempts taken by researchers is the development of solar heating and cooling technologies. The objective of this paper is to revie...

Integration of phase change materials (PCMs) into building fabrics is considered to be one of the potential and effective ways of minimizing energy consumption and CO2 emissions in the building sector. In order to assess the thermal effectiveness of this concept, composite PCM drywall samples (i.e. randomly-mixed and laminated PCM drywalls) have been evaluated in a model passive solar building....

This paper deals with the architectural design process and the digital tools able to support a creative activity. Evolutionary devices are expected to support the architect in the initial phase of his work in progress and to stimulate his creativity through analogical thinking. An experimental tool is described, this one is using a genetic algorithm to explore the solution space, and it is base...