Decision Support for Planning Eco-Effective Product Systems
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Principal Investigators
MIT: J.Ehrenfeld
UT: F.Kimura, T.Kiriyama
ETH: R.Zuest, M.Frei, M.Meier, L.Baraf, S.Meuller, J.Soth, S.Schaufleberger
EPFL: P.Xirouchakis, D.Kiritsis
DTU: L.Alting
KTH: C.Luttrop, J.Persson
Goal/Objective
The goal of this research was to develop methodology and tools for planning environmentally friendly product systems based on life-cycle modeling, by moving back to the product planning and pre-design phase prior to the point where the product designer determines both 90-95% of all the costs AND all environmental impact of activities, products and services, with the aim of causing a shift in industry paradigm.
Expected Deliverables:
- Formal, well-structured product systems requirements model to form the basis for product development before the later phases (such as conceptual design and embodiment design); over a product system’s life phases and must generate clear and consistent holistic goals
- Ways to assess environmental and business aspects simultaneously (life-cycle analysis including factory model and usage model)
- Direct behavioral change of practicing designers throughout the research add the corresponding exchange of information.
- Change of the education of designers and mechanical engineers
- Broad dissemination o results by developing computer aided education modules accessible on the Internet or as CD-ROM
- Possibly to outreach to LDCs through establishing linkages with other projects.
Results
Research contributed to different ECODESIGN approaches and educational material, including a book in the AGS series entitled “Eco-Design Pilot – Produce Investigation, Learning and Optimization Tool for Sustainable Product Development with CD-ROM”. The book complements the ECODESIGN PILOT developed by the Institute for Engineering Design at the Vienna University of Technology.
More Information
ECODESIGN PILOT
December 31, 2015
Alliance