Analytical tools based on Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) have become widely used for the evaluation of the environmental impacts associated with the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing, use, and end of life of materials and processes. The main goal of such an analysis is to identify the sources that contribute the most to adverse environmental pollution and to provide design and manufacturing engineers the necessary information that will allow them to choose among alternative materials and/or processes.
Design for the environment combines the impact of the product on the ecology with manufacturability, environmental resistance, quality, and economic considerations. A longer product life span assists the consumer and assists in the conservation of resources. It results in a reduction of waste and a more economical approach to energy conservation and environment impact.
This symposium intends to focus on LCA methodologies and studies that address materials and processes associated with conventional technologies as well as advanced product and manufacturing systems. Life Cycle Cost analysis will also provide a broader perspective of the business value of LCA assessments. Discussions of analytical tools and software packages with emphasis on transparency and validation will be included.
Session Topics
The proposed topics include, but are not limited to:
- Automotive materials and processes including fuel cells
- Solar cells and photovoltaic systems
- Other energy technologies including hydrogen production
- Comparisons of energy technologies
- Electronics and nanomaterials
- Aviation and space technology
- Reviews/comparisons of analytical LCA tools and databases
- Challenges of LCA studies
- Issues related to LCA of emerging technologies
- Issues related to implementation of LCA results to business
- Streamlined LCA methods for engineering and R&D decisions
- Impact assessment based on LCA inventory results
- Use of LCA in external cost quantification
- Use of LCA in material selection and education
- Design for the environment concepts
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Invited Speakers
Invited speakers include: Norm Brinkman (General Motors), Roberto Dones (Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland), Paolo Frankl (Ecobilancio, Italy; INSEAD, France), Amit Kapur (Univ. of Michigan), Elisa Kendall (Univ. of Michigan), Greg Keoleian (Univ. of Michigan), Lester Lave (Carnegie Mellon Univ.), Heather MacLean (Univ. of Toronto, Canada), John Sullivan (Ford Motor Co.), and Candace Wheeler (General Motors). |
Symposium Organizers
Vasilis
Fthenakis
US
DOE EH&S Research Center
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Environmental Sciences Dept.
P.O. Box 5000
Upton, NY 11973-5000
Tel: 631-344-2830
Fax: 631-344-4486
vmf@bnl.gov |
Stella
Papasavva
GM R&D
Center
MC 480-106-269
30500 Mound Rd.
Warren, MI 48090
Tel
, Fax ,
Tel: 586-986-1620
Fax: 586-986-1910
stella.papasavva@gm.com
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Steven
J. Skerlos
University
of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Environmental and Sustainable Technologies (EAST) Laboratory
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Tel: 734-615-5253
Fax: 734-647-3170
skerlos@umich.edu |
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