Smart Materials for Green(er) Cities, a Short Review

Abstract

The transition to sustainable or green(er) cities requires the development and implementation of many innovative technologies. It is vital to ensure that these technologies are themselves as sustainable and green as possible. In this context, smart materials offer excellent prospects for application. They are capable of performing a number of tasks (e.g., repair, opening/closing, temperature measurement, storage and release of thermal energy) without embedded electronics or power supplies. In this short review paper, we present some of the most promising smart material-based technologies for sustainable or green(er) cities. We will briefly present the state-of-the-art in smart concrete for the structural health monitoring and self-healing of civil engineering structures, phase-change materials (PCM) for passive air-conditioning, shape-memory materials (SMA) for various green applications, and meta-surfaces for green acoustics. To better illustrate the potential of some of the solutions discussed in the paper, we present, where appropriate, our most recent experimental results (e.g., embedded SAW sensors for the Structural Health Monitoring of concrete structures). The main aim of this paper is to promote green solutions based on smart materials to engineers and scientists involved in R&D projects for green(er) cities.

A Simple Method to Manufacture a Force Sensor Array Based on a Single-Material 3D-Printed Piezoresistive Foam and Metal Coating

“…Force sensors and strain gauges are extensively utilized in various applications across many fields. These sensors play a crucial role in monitoring structures for civil engineering applications [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ] and various machinery in different domains of engineering, contributing to improved performance and safety [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Additionally, the versatility and precision of these sensors have attracted interest in the medical sector, where they find application in biomechanics, patient monitoring, and medical device development [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”

Digitalization and Sustainability in Linear Projects Trends: A Bibliometric Analysis

“…Linear projects are of great importance, which has led to the development of a wide range of studies. In recent years, research on bridges, roads, and railways has become essential to improve all life cycle stages, aiming to combine safety, efficiency, and sustainability [11,12]. Implementing various methodologies and technologies has improved the planning and management of different types of linear projects, resulting in optimized resources and time [13,14].…”

“…Implementing various methodologies and technologies has improved the planning and management of different types of linear projects, resulting in optimized resources and time [13,14]. In terms of materials, the introduction of self-repairing materials and high-strength metallic alloys has increased the useful life and resistance of bridges, tunnels, and roads [12,15,16]. In the field of railways, research has focused on developing infrastructure systems that enable the operation of magnetic levitation trains and the optimization of railway networks' interconnection to improve mobility and reduce travel times [17,18].…”