Architecture Engineers Award

Photothermal Membrane Distillation (PMD) has emerged as a promising desalination and water purification technique; however, its practical viability is often hindered by low energy efficiency and restricted mass flux. Recent research addresses these concerns by developing advanced membrane designs that combine photothermal effects, robust water-repellency, and minimized mass transfer resistance. By engineering morphological architecture, a new generation of membranes can overcome existing limitations, offering enhanced solar efficiency and long-term operational stability. Morphological Architecture Engineering The study demonstrates how carefully engineered morphological architecture can simultaneously reduce mass transfer resistance, enhance photothermal energy utilization, and maintain strong water-repellency. The multilayer configuration ensures heat localization and structural integrity while avoiding delamination, a common challenge in composite membrane systems. This architectura...

Smart buildings are rapidly becoming a vital part of sustainable development, offering solutions that enhance energy efficiency, improve user comfort, and reduce environmental impact. However, their adoption in Nigeria and other developing nations remains limited due to cost constraints, lack of expertise, and insufficient awareness. This study highlights the urgent need to analyze the financial implications of smart building adoption, focusing particularly on Abuja as a case study. Cost Implications of Smart Building Implementation The study emphasizes that the most significant challenge in smart building development is the high cost of hardware components, which often discourages investors and builders. These financial barriers create a widening gap between traditional construction practices and smart building adoption, particularly in markets with limited financial incentives. Cost analysis becomes an essential step in identifying realistic approaches to reducing expenses without ...