Abstract

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Climate change impacts everyone while the need for more electricity is expanding exponentially with electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, and cryptocurrency. Low-cost, reliable electricity without sun, wind, waves, tides, currents, or batteries is needed. This report describes how Poseidon Hydroelectric System produces electricity on any water source without a dam to reduce climate change by eliminating carbon emissions, reducing transmission line costs, and expand the opportunity to provide electricity to people of the world. 

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Three proven technologies used for hundreds of years have been blended in a new way using a siphon to lift water from any source, a hydraulic ram pump to capture the kinetic energy of flowing water and deliver pressurized water to an electric generator for less than .002 of a penny/kWh. Controlled operation provides efficiencies for minimizing water waste, eliminating fish kill, noise control, and dam hazards while allowing controlled 24/7 electricity production.

Conclusion & Significance: Renewable Ocean Energy, Inc.’s working prototype will be described with an operational video of the generator. Power may be generated on or offshore with an aesthetically pleasing modular generator without harm to fish, birds, marine life, or the environment. Vetted by the Texas Environmental Quality Board and the National Atmospheric Administration Agency. 

Biography

Abstract

Physical AI and Sustainable Bioproducts for Forest Sector Retooling

Fred Schwartz1,2

1)   Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change (York University), Toronto (On)

2) Accelerator LTG, Campbell’s Ba (Qc)

Abstract: The Canadian forest industry’s historical reliance on a single-product commodity model (pulp and lumber) has left it dangerously exposed to global market volatility and trade tariffs. This paper advocates for a systemic "retooling" of the sector, transitioning from centralized commodity production to a decentralized, high-value biorefinery model. We propose a diversified output strategy that integrates advanced mass timber for housing, biomass for energy, and specialized dissolving pulps for textiles, biochemicals, and rigid insulation. By shifting production closer to the source, this model retains economic value within local and Indigenous communities rather than exporting profits to external stakeholders. Central to this transition is the application of a proprietary gPAI (generalized physical AI) platform designed to optimize multi-product streams and supply chain logistics. The authors demonstrate how this technology-driven, localized approach fosters economic sovereignty and industrial resilience in a fluctuating global landscape.

Biography

Abstract

Shape memory polymer composites (SMPCs) are thermally activated materials capable of fixing a temporary shape and recovering their original configuration through temperature-induced modulus transition of the polymer matrix. In such systems, the thermomechanical stability of the reinforcing fibers plays a critical role in determining structural integrity, recovery efficiency, and long-term reliability. Among the possible instability modes, fiber microbuckling is particularly important because it is strongly coupled with matrix softening, thermal loading history, and stress redistribution during programming and recovery.

This study investigates the thermomechanical microbuckling behavior of fiber-reinforced SMPCs with emphasis on the role of temperature-dependent matrix properties and thermal activation. As the temperature approaches the glass transition region, the matrix undergoes a pronounced reduction in stiffness, which weakens lateral support to the fibers and increases susceptibility to local compressive instability. The initiation and evolution of fiber microbuckling are therefore governed by the competition between thermal softening of the matrix, elastic constraint of the fiber phase, and internal stress redistribution during thermomechanical cycling. Particular attention is given to how temperature affects the critical stability condition, local deformation morphology, and the resulting recovery response of the composite.

The results indicate that fiber microbuckling is not only a mechanical instability phenomenon but also a thermally controlled microstructural response closely related to matrix viscoelasticity and energy storage-release behavior. The study highlights the importance of thermomechanical design in suppressing local fiber instability and improving the structural reliability of SMPCs under thermal actuation. These findings provide useful insight for the design of high-performance smart composites in deployable structures and other thermally responsive engineering systems.

Biography

Dr. Dou Zhang is an Assistant Researcher and M.S. Supervisor at Harbin Institute of Technology, China. Her research focuses on the mechanical behavior of shape memory polymer (SMP) composites and their application-oriented validation, with particular emphasis on constitutive behavior, thermo-mechanical coupling, and structure-function integration for deployable mechanisms. The SMP-based locking-and-release deployment mechanism developed by her team enabled the first dynamic unfurling of the national flag on China’s inaugural Mars mission, Tianwen-1. This achievement was selected as one of the “Top Ten Scientific and Technological Advances of Chinese Higher Education Institutions” in 2021.

Abstract

The urgent transition from carbon-emitting fossil fuels to clean energy with zero or minimal carbon footprint is critical in mitigating climate change, improving public health, and ensuring long-term energy security. As global carbon emissions continue to rise, the need for clean, renewable alternatives becomes increasingly pressing. Key green energy technologies based on renewable energy sources including solar,
wind, hydropower, and bioenergy are being deployed at growing scales though often face the challenge of intermittent nature. Hydrogen has emerged as a pivotal energy carrier of a decarbonized energy system due to its high energy density, and potential for large-scale storage and transportation.[1] The hydrogen can be also coupled with intermittent renewable energy sources, ensuring sustainable energy usage and efficient energy storage for future use or the production of useful chemicals. Hydrogen can be produced through various pathways, classified by color codes based on carbon intensity: grey hydrogen (from natural gas with emissions), blue hydrogen (with carbon capture), and green hydrogen (via renewable-powered water electrolysis). Green hydrogen is particularly important, as it offers a zero-carbon solution when produced from renewable electricity.
To produce green hydrogen, water electrolysis technologies such as alkaline water electrolysis (AWE), proton exchange membrane electrolysis (PEM), anion exchange membrane electrolysis (AEM), and high- temperature solid oxide electrolysis (SOE) are employed. Each has distinct advantages and challenges: AWE is mature and cost-effective but limited by lower efficiency; PEM offers high efficiency and dynamic response but relies on scarce, expensive precious metal catalysts like platinum and iridium; AEM combines benefits of AWE and PEM but is less developed; SOE offers high efficiency at elevated temperatures but faces materials stability issues, making AEM water electrolysis crucial [2]. Reducing the cost of green hydrogen is vital for its competitiveness and scalability. Advanced electrocatalysts play a crucial role in improving the efficiency and durability of electrolysis, thereby lowering costs. However, the best-performing catalysts are often based on
precious metals that are scarce and unevenly distributed globally. Addressing this challenge requires the development of non-precious metal alternatives, such as transition metal-based catalysts, which can offer comparable performance and enable sustainable, large-scale green hydrogen production [3].

Acknowledgments
JMVN acknowledges the funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program
under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 101102946.

Biography

Dr. Jean Marie Vianney Nsanzimana earned a First-Class Honours B.Sc. in Applied Chemistry. He received an M.Sc. from Kyungpook National University, South Korea, and later obtained a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Nanyang Technological University. He worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the CNRS in France before undertaking another postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Siegen in Germany. In 2024, he joined the University of Padova, Italy, as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow. He is an internationally experienced researcher in materials science and chemical engineering, particularly in the design and engineering of materials for electrochemical energy conversion and storage technologies. He has authored several papers in high- impact journals, including Nature Energy, Advanced Energy Materials, and Nano- Micro Letters, among others, and his work has been cited more than 3,400 times.

Abstract

As global energy systems transition toward renewable sources, education plays a decisive role in shaping community‑level engagement, resilience, and sustainable decision‑making. This talk explores how ecological sustainability can be embedded into educational practices that actively involve communities in the co‑creation of solutions for renewable energy adoption. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from environmental education, community development, and sustainability science, the presentation highlights innovative pedagogical pathways that empower citizens to understand, evaluate, and implement sustainable energy practices in their local contexts. Through case‑based reflections and participatory methodologies, the session illustrates how educational interventions can strengthen ecological literacy, foster collaborative problem‑solving, and support equitable transitions toward renewable energy futures. By bridging knowledge, practice, and community action, this contribution aims to demonstrate how education can serve as a catalyst for ecological sustainability in diverse social environments.

Keywords: ecological sustainability; renewable energy education; community engagement; sustainable transitions; ecological literacy; participatory methodologies.

Biography

Helena Belchior Rocha, PhD in Social Work, is an Assistant professor at ISCTE- University Institute of Lisbon in the Department of Political Science and Public Policies and subdirector of the Soft Skills Lab and Director of the Transversal Competences Nucleos. Integrated researcher at CIES, Centre for Research and Studies in Sociology, linked to national and international research projects, namely 3 from Marie Curie Actions. She was pionner in Ecology and sustainability in Social Work creating the EcoSocial Model for intervention. Coordinator of the 1st year of Social Work Graduation,. Scientific Coordinator of the Cost Action Line - Digital Human Rights, and member of K-Peritia (culture ex pertize) Cost Action Line. Author of papers and communications at national and international con gresses, in the areas of social work theory and methodology, environment, sustainability, community Intervention, ethics, human rights, social policies and Well-being, education and soft skills. Member of the Editorial Board of national/international journals. Member of Inclusive Policy Lab UNESCO. Award of the Development Networks Award - Project "Promotion of Education for Global Citizen ship - UN17" (ISCTE-IUL / COI Foundation).

Abstract

The name "Mpemba effect" was given to the finding that "the state that is initially more distant from the equilibrium state may come to the latter earlier" [1,2]. It may seem that this assertion violates fundamental laws of physics, but it has been supported by many experiments on various systems, from water to qubits, and discussed in leading scientific journals [3,4]. In fact, the above statement is not as paradoxical as it seems at first glance, since it is well known that a trivial harmonic oscillator (when the potential energy ΔU(x) is proportional to x2, the squared deviation from the equilibrium) comes to its equilibrium point in a time independent of its initial displacement 

 from this point, while the time of free fall (when ΔU(x) is proportional to the height x) increases with the initial height 

. Thus, one can figure out that a mechanical [5] or molecular system where 

 grows as 

 or sharper should demonstrate the Mpemba effect: starting from a position that is farther from the equilibrium point, it will attain it earlier.

Biography

Graduated with honors from the Moscow Phys.-Tech. (1970). Ph.D. (1976); D.Sc. (1991). Since 1970, member of the Laboratory of Protein Physics (then headed by Prof. O.B. Ptitsyn) at the Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences. Heads this Laboratory since 1999. Professor at the Moscow Lomonosov University since 1998. Soros Professor (2001). Author of ~300 papers, of a book "Protein Physics", published in Russian (6 editions), English (2 editions), Chinese (2 editions), and of a book "Physics of Protein Molecules" (in Russian). Citation index: ~12000, Hirsch index: 51. Expertise: molecular & protein physics; theory of protein structures, folding and design; structural transitions in proteins and amyloids; antifreeze proteins and ice nucleators, phase transitions; force fields; molecular biology; bioinformatics. Awards from FIRCA, INTAS, CASP, HHMI (3 times), NWO, RSF, etc. State Prize of Russia in Science & Technology (1999). Elected to the Russian Academy of Sciences (2008).

Abstract

Maintaining thermal comfort in residential and industrial buildings remains a significant energy challenge. Traditional Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems are energy-intensive, contributing substantially to both operational costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As the building sector seeks to improve energy performance, attention has increasingly turned to Thermal Energy Storage (TES) and passive energy management strategies. This contribution goes significantly beyond the current state of the art by introducing a novel, compact, and modular TES solution that leverages bio-based Phase Change Materials (PCMs) heat exchangers reinforced with aluminium foam skeletons, integrated into an underground water/ice reservoir. The use of bio-based PCMs (e.g., coconut or tamanu oils, animal fats, vegetable oils, etc.) offers a low-carbon alternative to petroleum-derived materials. Reinforcement with aluminium foams significantly improves thermal conductivity and prevents leakage, solving two core limitations of conventional PCM systems. A heat exchanger embedded at the base enables the repeatable storage and release of latent heat for ventilation air conditioning. The proposed system significantly reduces capital and operational costs, making TES more accessible for urban, residential, and retrofit applications. The use of renewable, biodegradable PCMs, combined with low-energy seasonal storage, supports circular economy principles and offers a path to net-zero building operation. This contribution addresses a new generation of high-performance, bio-based TES systems that offer practical, scalable, and climate-resilient alternatives to current technologies.

Biography

Jaroslav Jerz has completed his PhD from Vienna University of Technology (Austria) with dissertation dedicated to the development of aluminium foam by powder metallurgy. He is materials scientist at the Institute of Materials & Machine Mechanics of Slovak Academy of Sciences (Slovakia). His scientific work is devoted to advanced metallic materials, development of technologies for their industrial production and transfer of knowledge gained by material research into industrial practice.

Abstract

The presentation will start by introducing the area of environmental science . Technologies for Sustainable Energy, Clean Energy and Renewable Energy will be discussed next . Issues related with AI and Satellites, Biodiversity , Sustainable Materials and the Storage Revolution will be presented .Other areas to be tackled include Green Hydrogen , Solar and Wind Hybrids, Physical AI, Smart Grids and Virtual Power Plants. Finally, Energy Prosumption and Green Stell will be analysed.

Biography

Professor Luiz Moutinho (BA, MA, PhD, MAE, FCIM) is the Visiting Professor of Marketing at Faculty of Arts, Business and Applied Social Science, Univ. of Suffolk, Ipswich, England, UK. In 2020 he was elected as the member of The Academia Europaea. In 2017 he received a degree of Prof. Honoris Causa from the Univ. of Tourism and Management Skopje, North Macedonia. In 2025 was rated among the top 85 in 100 best scientists in Business and Management by Research.com as well as Top 0.05% of Scholars in the Areas of Marketing and Management by ScholarGPS. During 2015 - 2017 he was a professor of BioMarketing and Futures Research at the DCU Business School, Dublin City University, Ireland. This was the first Chair in the world on both domains - BioMarketing and Futures Research. Previously, and for 20 years, he had been appointed as the Foundation Chair of Marketing at the Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow, Scotland. He completed his PhD at the University of Sheffield in 1982. He has been a Full Professor for 36 years and held posts at Cardiff Business School, University of Wales College of Cardiff, Cleveland State University, Ohio, USA, Northern Arizona University, USA and California State University, USA. He has held Visiting Professorship positions at numerous universities in China, Lithuania, Austria, New Zealand, Denmark, Slovenia, Portugal, Hungary, Taiwan, Brazil, Colombia, Fiji and Cyprus. Between 1987 and 1989 he was the director of the Doctoral Programmes at the Confederation of Scottish Business Schools and at the Cardiff Business School between 1993 and 1996. He was director of the Doctoral Programme in Management at the University of Glasgow between 1996 and 2004. Professor Moutinho is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Modelling in Management (JM2) and Co- editor-in-Chief of the Innovative Marketing Journal. He has another 4 associate editorships as well as being in the editorial boards of another 47 international academic journals. His areas of research interest encompass marketing and management futurecast, artificial intelligence, biometrics and neuroscience in marketing, futures research algorithmic self, EmoWear - a wearable tech device that detects human emotions, evolutionary algorithms, human-computer interaction, the use of artificial neural networks in marketing, modelling processes of consumer behaviour and tourism futurecast. He has developed a number of conceptual models over the years in areas such as tourism destination decision processes, automated banking, supermarket patronage, among other areas. The testing of these research models has been based on the application of many different statistical, computer and mathematical modelling techniques ranging from multidimensional scaling, multinomial logit generalised linear models (GLMs) and linear structural relations to neural networks, ordered probit, simulated annealing, tabu search, genetic algorithms, memetic algorithms and fuzzy logic. Prof. Moutinho has given keynote speeches, lectures, seminars, talks, etc. in 64 countries worldwide. Prof. Moutinho has 41 books published, over 163 articles published in refereed academic journals.

Abstract

Biography

Abstract

Current commercial projects of tidal current energy converters (TCECs) are still in the demonstration phase. While many drivetrain designs and configurations of TCECs inherit from those of wind turbines, different operational constraints, e.g., high-torque and low-speed conditions, make TCECs potentially suffer from high failure rates in harsh deep-sea environments. High operation performance of a TCEC requires a gear transmission with a continuously variable speed ratio for high-torque and low-speed conditions. A nonlinear closed-loop control combined with an integral time-delay feedback control is developed to adjust the speed ratio of an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) system for TCECs. A speed ratio control for the IVT system involves a forward speed controller and a crank length controller for different tidal current speed ranges. A time-delay control is designed to reduce speed fluctuations of the output speed of the IVT with an accurate speed ratio. Experimental investigation was carried out to test validity of the proposed control strategy for the IVT system. An instrumented rotation speed measurement system is designed so that quantities needed for the time-delay control variable can be measured. Experimental results show that the speed ratio of the IVT with the proposed control strategy can achieve an excellent tracking response for the desired constant output speed and reduce speed fluctuations of the output speed of the IVT by the time-delay feedback control. The methodology is validated on a real horizontal-axis wind turbine system in water tank tests.

Biography

Weidong Zhu is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and the founder and director of its Dynamic Systems and Vibrations Laboratory and Laser Vibrometry and Optical Measurement Laboratory. He received his double major BS degree in Mechanical Engineering and Computational Science from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 1986, and his MS and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Arizona State University and the University of California at Berkeley in 1988 and 1994, respectively. He is a recipient of the 2004 National Science Foundation CAREER Award. He has been an ASME Fellow since 2010, and has served as an Associate Editor of the ASME Journal of Vibration and Acoustics and the ASME Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement, and Control, as a Subject Editor of the Journal of Sound and Vibration, and as a Topical Associate Editor of Nonlinear Dynamics. His research spans the fields of dynamics, vibration, control, structural health monitoring, renewable energy, and metamaterials, and involves analytical development, numerical simulation, experimental validation, and industrial application. He has published 334 SCI-indexed journal papers in these areas and has ten issued U.S. patents. He is a recipient of the 2020 University System of Maryland Board of Regents Faculty Award for Excellence in Research and the 2024 ASME Rayleigh Lecture Award.