http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11960/2382 2026-08-27T12:48:52Z http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11960/4729 Title: Novel high-performance ETICS coatings with cool pigments incorporation Authors: Curado, António; Figueiras, Ricardo; Gonçalves, Hélder; Sambento, Filipe; Nunes, Leonel J. R. Abstract: External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) enhance building aesthetics and optimize thermal performance while offering protection against weather, fire, and harmful agents. Key to these capabilities are properties of ETICS rendering. We have applied specialized organic renderings, including modified acrylic resins, additives, and reflective pigments, to mitigate color bleaching and stress cracking induced by high surface temperatures, resulting in improved color stability and water protection. In a practical application at a shopping center in Portugal, we observed reduced coating layer failures, better thermal resistance, and lower maintenance costs over one year. Subsequent research reveals the benefits of Near Infrared Reflective (NIR) pigments and nanocomposites such as titanium dioxide, which increase solar reflectance, enhance resistance to dirt, and promote self-cleaning. Synthetic colored inorganic pigments improve heat stability, thermal inertia, and mechanical resistance. The application of cool pigments also reduces surface temperature by up to 10 C. These advancements in ETICS technology mark a significant step towards sustainable building practices. 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11960/4723 Title: The harmonization of radon exposure mitigation for the sustainability of buildings: Assessing the impact of the EURATOM directive on european legislation Authors: Nunes, Leonel J. R.; Curado, António Abstract: Radon exposure is a major health concern associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, particularly in smokers, highlighting the need for effective mitigation measures in enclosed spaces by improving indoor air quality (IAQ), thus ensuring more sustainable buildings. The Euratom Directive, a key piece of EU legislation, sets standards for the protection of workers and the general public from ionizing radiation throughout Europe. It requires member states to implement safety measures, set exposure limits, monitor radon levels, and develop emergency plans and mitigation strategies for nuclear accidents and radiation incidents. The directive also sets reference and action levels for indoor radon. The aim of this article is to analyze the legislation on indoor radon exposure in European countries and to evaluate the impact of the directive on the standardization of the action and intervention levels. By conducting a comprehensive legislative review, this study will compare the action levels, assess the directive’s ability to harmonize the regulations, and identify legislative trends and developments. In addition, it will examine the factors contributing to the discrepancies between countries and highlight areas for improvement to ensure adequate protection against the risks of radon exposure and thereby increase the sustainability of buildings. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11960/4722 Title: Indoor radon and energy efficiency: A “short blanket” problem that demands for balanced ventilation Authors: Curado, António; Nunes, Leonel J. R. Abstract: A historic school building was recently retrofitted. Due to its high architectural quality, the building is listed as National Architectural Patrimony, and therefore the rehabilitation process has met very challenging requirements regarding its conservation to maintain the original layout. In view of its age, the building is done with thick stone walls which help energy conservation and enhance thermal inertia. Its primitive architecture enables natural lighting, increases solar radiation gains, and favors natural ventilation, assuring, consequently, an improved energy efficiency. The implemented rehabilitation actions tried to preserve the original architecture and the building restorations were designed to conserve as much as possible the ancient distinctive architectural style. Given the imposed constraints, matters like Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and thermal comfort in rooms and offices for administration and staff were not met. The current situation has resulted in justifiable complaints from the building users, reporting poor rooms IAQ due to a lack of air renovation. Because of the impossibility to install mechanical ventilation ducts, the building rooms are operated through natural ventilation, which makes the adoption of constant air flow regimes difficult to implement. To evaluate the problem and promote measures to deal with it, an experimental campaign to assess IAQ and building thermal comfort was implemented during the Winter of 2022. In the framework of the campaign, two identical rooms with similar occupancy, size, volume, building typology, heating regime, and with the same equipment installed, were measured in situ for 3 months, by monitoring continuously the following variables: indoor radon concentration, air temperature and relative humidity, under distinct regimes of ventilation. By using statistical analysis of the experimental data, the results show, as expected, that the room with a permanent air renovation has an improved IAQ than the other monitored room, operated with a restricted ventilation schedule, without jeopardizing the energy efficiency. Based on the results, natural ventilation in a steady state mode is the key to balancing IAQ and energy efficiency. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11960/4721 Title: Preliminary approach for the development of sustainable university campuses: A case study based on the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions Authors: Araújo, Ivo; Nunes, Leonel J. R.; Curado, António Abstract: University campuses consume a significant amount of energy. Given the high volume of people who commute to and from campuses, the resources consumed, such as water and energy, and the amount of waste that must be managed, they can be compared to small towns. To address this issue, university managers and decision-makers have implemented various technical measures to improve water and energy efficiency and waste management. These measures aim to increase campus sustainability and enhance the well-being of the academic community. One popular measure is the installation of autonomous energy production systems, such as photovoltaic (PV) systems, which replace external energy sources and reduce GHG emissions. For example, a PV system installed on a university campus has been found to supply 19% of the campus’s electricity needs and replace 21 tCO2·yr−1. However, adopting organizational measures to manage the use of produced energy and increasing school community’s environmental awareness about energy efficiency is crucial in order to change behavior and improve campus sustainability. 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z