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Introducing a novel method for simulating stochastic movement and occupancy in residential spaces using time-use survey data (2023)
Journal Article
Zhang, R., Zhou, T., Ye, H., & Darkwa, J. (2024). Introducing a novel method for simulating stochastic movement and occupancy in residential spaces using time-use survey data. Energy and Buildings, 304, Article 113854. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.113854

In the context of growing concerns over energy consumption and sustainability, accurate modelling of occupancy patterns within residential buildings is critical. In this study, a novel stochastic occupancy model is introduced for simulating human beh... Read More about Introducing a novel method for simulating stochastic movement and occupancy in residential spaces using time-use survey data.

Enhancement of thermal and mechanical properties of microencapsulated phase change materials with graphene oxide (2023)
Journal Article
Hu, M., Wang, D., Kokogiannakis, G., Darkwa, J., Li, Y., Wang, L., …Su, W. (2024). Enhancement of thermal and mechanical properties of microencapsulated phase change materials with graphene oxide. Chemical Engineering Journal, 479, 147855. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2023.147855

The low thermal conductivity of microencapsulated phase change materials (MEPCMs) limits the latent heat charging and discharging rates for various applications. To overcome this limitation, we prepared MEPCM by co-surfactants of polyvinyl alcohol an... Read More about Enhancement of thermal and mechanical properties of microencapsulated phase change materials with graphene oxide.

The effect of nucleating agent on the multiphase change materials for energy storage in buildings (2023)
Journal Article
Sinaga, R., Darkwa, J., Worall, M., & Su, W. (2024). The effect of nucleating agent on the multiphase change materials for energy storage in buildings. Applied Thermal Engineering, 239, Article 122153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2023.122153

Phase change materials (PCMs) have the potential to be used for widespread energy storage applications in buildings. However, available PCMs can only function at fixed phase transitional temperatures, restricting their seasonal applicability. To this... Read More about The effect of nucleating agent on the multiphase change materials for energy storage in buildings.

Synthesis and Characterization of Doped Magnesium Hydroxide for Medium Heat Storage Application (2023)
Journal Article
Albeladi, N., Kur, A., Mokaya, R., Darkwa, J., Roger-Lund, S., Worall, M., …Boukhanouf, R. (2023). Synthesis and Characterization of Doped Magnesium Hydroxide for Medium Heat Storage Application. Materials, 16(18), Article 6296. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186296

The amount of waste heat generated annually in the UK exceeds the total annual electricity demand. Hence, it is crucial to effectively harness all available sources of waste heat based on their varying temperatures. Through suitable technologies, a s... Read More about Synthesis and Characterization of Doped Magnesium Hydroxide for Medium Heat Storage Application.

Development of Composite Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials for Multi-Temperature Thermal Energy Storage (2023)
Journal Article
Su, W., Darkwa, J., Zhou, T., Du, D., Kokogiannakis, G., Li, Y., …Gao, L. (2023). Development of Composite Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials for Multi-Temperature Thermal Energy Storage. Crystals, 13(8), Article 1167. https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst13081167

Phase change energy storage materials have been recognized as potential energy-saving materials for balancing cooling and heating demands in buildings. However, individual phase change materials (PCM) with single phase change temperature cannot be ad... Read More about Development of Composite Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials for Multi-Temperature Thermal Energy Storage.

Experimental investigations into thermal performance of phase change emulsion in a fin-and-tube heat exchanger (2023)
Journal Article
Wei, C., Shao, J., & Darkwa, J. (2023). Experimental investigations into thermal performance of phase change emulsion in a fin-and-tube heat exchanger. International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies, 18, 175–183. https://doi.org/10.1093/ijlct/ctad001

Phase change emulsions (PCMEs) are always identified as potential working fluids that could be used to reduce circulating pump energy consumption in chill water air conditioning systems. But how PCME behaves in a fin-and-tube heat exchanger is still... Read More about Experimental investigations into thermal performance of phase change emulsion in a fin-and-tube heat exchanger.

Solid–Gas Thermochemical Energy Storage Materials and Reactors for Low to High-Temperature Applications: A Concise Review (2023)
Journal Article
Kur, A., Darkwa, J., Calautit, J., Boukhanouf, R., & Worall, M. (2023). Solid–Gas Thermochemical Energy Storage Materials and Reactors for Low to High-Temperature Applications: A Concise Review. Energies, 16(2), Article 756. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16020756

Thermochemical energy storage materials and reactors have been reviewed for a range of temperature applications. For low-temperature applications, magnesium chloride is found to be a suitable candidate at temperatures up to 100 °C, whereas calcium hy... Read More about Solid–Gas Thermochemical Energy Storage Materials and Reactors for Low to High-Temperature Applications: A Concise Review.

Development of spectrally self-switchable cover with phase change material for dynamic radiative cooling (2022)
Journal Article
Su, W., Kang, R., Cai, P., Hu, M., Kokogiannakis, G., Darkwa, J., …Wang, L. (2023). Development of spectrally self-switchable cover with phase change material for dynamic radiative cooling. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 251, Article 112125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2022.112125

Radiative cooling promises an effective strategy against global warming by sending waste heat to the deep universe in a passive manner. However, the mismatch between cooling supply and demand can significantly compromise the efficacy of spectrally-st... Read More about Development of spectrally self-switchable cover with phase change material for dynamic radiative cooling.

Enhancing the detection performance of a vision-based window opening detector (2022)
Journal Article
Tien, P. W., Wei, S., Calautit, J., Darkwa, J., & Wood, C. (2022). Enhancing the detection performance of a vision-based window opening detector. Cleaner Energy Systems, 3, Article 100038. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cles.2022.100038

In favourable climates and building types, employing natural ventilation can lead to significant energy savings and health benefits. However, in cold climates or conditions, the use of natural ventilation could result in significant heat loss and, co... Read More about Enhancing the detection performance of a vision-based window opening detector.

Parametric study of a novel combination of solar chimney and radiative cooling cavity for natural ventilation enhancement in residential buildings (2022)
Journal Article
Suhendri, S., Hu, M., Su, Y., Darkwa, J., & Riffat, S. (2022). Parametric study of a novel combination of solar chimney and radiative cooling cavity for natural ventilation enhancement in residential buildings. Building and Environment, 225, Article 109648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109648

The application of radiative cooling (RC) is expanding to a diverse research field, with some current studies trying to apply RC for natural ventilation. One proposed strategy is to use RC for the enhancement of solar chimney (SC) ventilation, and th... Read More about Parametric study of a novel combination of solar chimney and radiative cooling cavity for natural ventilation enhancement in residential buildings.

Experimental Investigation on Compressive Strength, Ultrasonic Characteristic and Cracks Distribution of Granite Rock Irradiated by a Moving Laser Beam (2022)
Journal Article
Kuang, L., Sun, L., Yu, D., Wang, Y., Chu, Z., & Darkwa, J. (2022). Experimental Investigation on Compressive Strength, Ultrasonic Characteristic and Cracks Distribution of Granite Rock Irradiated by a Moving Laser Beam. Applied Sciences, 12(20), Article 10681. https://doi.org/10.3390/app122010681

Efficient fracturing is the key issue for the exploitation of geothermal energy in a Hot Dry Rock reservoir. By using the laser irradiation cracking method, this study investigates the changes in uniaxial compressive strength, ultrasonic characterist... Read More about Experimental Investigation on Compressive Strength, Ultrasonic Characteristic and Cracks Distribution of Granite Rock Irradiated by a Moving Laser Beam.

Machine Learning and Deep Learning Methods for Enhancing Building Energy Efficiency and Indoor Environmental Quality – A Review (2022)
Journal Article
Tien, P. W., Wei, S., Darkwa, J., Wood, C., & Calautit, J. K. (2022). Machine Learning and Deep Learning Methods for Enhancing Building Energy Efficiency and Indoor Environmental Quality – A Review. Energy and AI, 10, Article 100198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyai.2022.100198

The built environment sector is responsible for almost one-third of the world's final energy consumption. Hence, seeking plausible solutions to minimise building energy demands and mitigate adverse environmental impacts is necessary. Artificial intel... Read More about Machine Learning and Deep Learning Methods for Enhancing Building Energy Efficiency and Indoor Environmental Quality – A Review.

Enhancement of Syngas Production in Co-Pyro-Gasification of Biomass and Plastic Waste Materials: Computational Study (2022)
Working Paper
Darkwa, J., Kwawu, C., Corner, J., Kemausuor, F., Adei, E., Agyekum, K., & Boateng, I. D. Enhancement of Syngas Production in Co-Pyro-Gasification of Biomass and Plastic Waste Materials: Computational Study

The process of co-pyro-gasification of biomass and plastics appears to have the potential for increasing syngas production for power generation and thus minimizing the impact of plastic waste on the environment. This study was based on co-pyro-gasifi... Read More about Enhancement of Syngas Production in Co-Pyro-Gasification of Biomass and Plastic Waste Materials: Computational Study.

Enhancing the detection performance of a vision-based occupancy detector for buildings (2022)
Journal Article
Tien, P. W., Wei, S., Chow, T. W., Darkwa, J., Wood, C., & Calautit, J. K. (2022). Enhancing the detection performance of a vision-based occupancy detector for buildings. Proceedings of the ICE - Engineering Sustainability, https://doi.org/10.1680/jensu.22.00013

Occupant behaviour is one of the key parameters that significantly impact the operation of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems and the energy performance of buildings. The detailed occupancy information can improve HVAC operatio... Read More about Enhancing the detection performance of a vision-based occupancy detector for buildings.

Evaluating urban heat island mitigation strategies for a subtropical city centre (a case study in Osaka, Japan) (2022)
Journal Article
Zheng, T., Qu, K., Darkwa, J., & Calautit, J. K. (2022). Evaluating urban heat island mitigation strategies for a subtropical city centre (a case study in Osaka, Japan). Energy, 250, Article 123721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.123721

Urban heat island (UHI) effects were first observed in London in the 19th century. The urban heat island is identified by developing higher temperatures in urban areas than the surrounding rural areas that directly surround them. However, there are s... Read More about Evaluating urban heat island mitigation strategies for a subtropical city centre (a case study in Osaka, Japan).

The microencapsulation, thermal enhancement, and applications of medium and high-melting temperature phase change materials: A review (2022)
Journal Article
Sinaga, R., Darkwa, J., Omer, S. A., & Worall, M. (2022). The microencapsulation, thermal enhancement, and applications of medium and high-melting temperature phase change materials: A review. International Journal of Energy Research, 46(8), 10259-10300. https://doi.org/10.1002/er.7860

Microencapsulated phase change materials (MEPCMs) have made tremendous advancements in recent years, owing to their increased demand for a variety of energy storage applications. In this paper, current microencapsulation techniques, enhancement, and... Read More about The microencapsulation, thermal enhancement, and applications of medium and high-melting temperature phase change materials: A review.

Prospects of Bioenergy Production for Sustainable Rural Development in Ghana (2021)
Journal Article
Nelson, N., Darkwa, J., & Calautit, J. (2021). Prospects of Bioenergy Production for Sustainable Rural Development in Ghana. Journal of Sustainable Bioenergy Systems, 11(04), 227-259. https://doi.org/10.4236/jsbs.2021.114015

Biomass supplies about 80% of the energy needs for cooking and heating in rural Ghana. It is predominantly used in traditional and inefficient forms (firewood and charcoal), which presents environmental and health concerns. In order to better the liv... Read More about Prospects of Bioenergy Production for Sustainable Rural Development in Ghana.

Real-time monitoring of occupancy activities and window opening within buildings using an integrated deep learning-based approach for reducing energy demand (2021)
Journal Article
Tien, P. W., Wei, S., Calautit, J. K., Darkwa, J., & Wood, C. (2022). Real-time monitoring of occupancy activities and window opening within buildings using an integrated deep learning-based approach for reducing energy demand. Applied Energy, 308, Article 118336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.118336

Occupancy behaviour in buildings can impact the energy performance and operation of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. HVAC, which uses conventional control strategies or “fixed” setpoint schedules, could not adjust to the cond... Read More about Real-time monitoring of occupancy activities and window opening within buildings using an integrated deep learning-based approach for reducing energy demand.

Performance evaluation of combined solar chimney and radiative cooling ventilation (2021)
Journal Article
Suhendri, S., Hu, M., Su, Y., Darkwa, J., & Riffat, S. (2022). Performance evaluation of combined solar chimney and radiative cooling ventilation. Building and Environment, 209, Article 108686. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108686

Passive cooling is inevitable for buildings to be resilient to global warming. While many forms of passive cooling techniques have been developed, passive radiative cooling (RC), as an emerging technology, is still not widely applied in buildings. Du... Read More about Performance evaluation of combined solar chimney and radiative cooling ventilation.