Ivonete Borne

Sustainable mobility in university environments presents both a challenge and an opportunity to reduce environmental impact and promote energy efficiency. This study assesses the feasibility of implementing electric buses in the internal transportation system of the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), considering environmental, economic, and operational aspects. The analysis demonstrates that transitioning to this model can lead to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, noise pollution mitigation, and optimization of operational costs throughout the vehicle’s life cycle. The study examines technical, structural, and financial factors, emphasizing the necessary infrastructure, academic community acceptance, and the economic viability of the project, as well as the strategic advantage of integrating the electric fleet with photovoltaic energy generation. The key highlights of this research include: (i) Sustainability and energy efficiency, emphasizing a reduction of up to 52.52% in CO₂ emissions when vehicles are powered by photovoltaic energy in an LCA context, alongside improvements in air quality and noise pollution mitigation. (ii) Economic feasibility analysis, comparing operational and maintenance costs between electric and conventional diesel buses, evaluating the financial viability and potential return on investment. (iii) Infrastructure and implementation challenges, addressing the need for charging stations, adaptation of UFPB’s infrastructure, and financing models, including government subsidies and strategic partnerships. (iv) Impact on the academic community, analyzing student and staff perceptions and acceptance of fleet electrification and the promotion of sustainable practices. (v) Future projections and replicability, exploring trends in the sustainable transportation sector, as well as the potential expansion of the electric fleet and its integration with energy storage systems. The results indicate that adopting electric buses at UFPB can position the institution as a benchmark in sustainable mobility, serving as a replicable model for other universities and contributing to carbon emission reduction and modernization of university transportation.

Objective: This paper proposes an alternative water treatment system for isolated communities in the Amazon, such as riverside, Indigenous, and Quilombola populations, using copper ionization and ultraviolet radiation to purify water in autonomous stations with a capacity of 1m³/day. Theoretical: Despite being home to one of the largest freshwater reserves in the world, much of the Amazon's population faces significant challenges in accessing potable water due to the lack of basic sanitation infrastructure. Waterborne diseases, caused by consuming contaminated water, severely impact public health in these remote and hard-to-reach areas. Method: A modular system was developed, comprising a copper ionizer, an upflow slow sand filter, and an ultraviolet radiation filter, designed to remove biological and chemical contaminants. The components were sized based on criteria of efficiency, durability, and cost. Performance tests evaluated the system’s ability to eliminate suspended particles, heavy metals, and microorganisms. Results and Discussion: The system demonstrated high efficacy in water purification, effectively removing coliforms, bacteria, protozoa, and viruses, as well as reducing concentrations of metals such as iron and zinc. However, limitations were identified, including the inability to remove mercury in areas impacted by mining activities, underscoring the need for future improvements. Research Implications: This study presents an innovative and accessible solution for water treatment in isolated communities, contributing to public health and sustainability in the Amazon region. Future research should explore the economic feasibility of the system and its large-scale implementation.

Objective: The objective of this research is to analyze the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of using lignocellulosic residues and grease for the production of briquettes, proposing a model for an industrial plant with a capacity of 26,250 tons per year. Theoretical Framework: The increasing generation of urban and industrial solid waste, such as rice husks, sugarcane bagasse, and residual lubricating oil, represents a significant environmental challenge. Briquetting emerges as a sustainable solution, allowing the reuse of these wastes into energy alternatives that contribute to mitigating environmental impacts and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Method: The methodology included linear programming using the Generalized Reduced Gradient (GRG) method to optimize the briquette composition, state trees to map technological flowcharts, and heuristic rules to select equipment. Additionally, a preliminary economic analysis based on the Venture Profit criterion was performed. Results and Discussion: The study identified the optimal briquette composition as 75.23% rice husk, 14.57% sugarcane bagasse, 4.16% tree pruning residue, and 6.04% residual lubricating oil. The economic analysis indicated an estimated profit of USD 206,341.23 over 10 years, confirming the economic and environmental feasibility of the enterprise. Research Implications: This study demonstrates that low-value waste can be transformed into products with high energy and economic potential. Future research should focus on optimizing flowcharts and experimentally validating briquettes to ensure their quality and market competitiveness.

Objective: The aim of this research is to develop a Bibliographic Portfolio on the contribution of public green spaces to promoting quality of life through a systematic literature analysis applying the Proknow-C method (Knowledge Development Process – Constructivist). Theoretical Framework: One of the main challenges faced by cities is the need to balance urban development with environmental preservation, integrating vehicle flow, pedestrian movement, and efficient waste management. In this context, there is a growing focus on the concepts of "environmental quality" and "quality of life," leading to studies that seek to understand how elements of the urban environment can contribute to people's well-being and the improvement of their quality of life. Public green areas are characterized by the presence of tree vegetation, offering various benefits that ensure environmental quality in urban spaces, such as thermal comfort, soil stabilization through plant root systems, reduction of air, noise, and visual pollution, as well as shelter for wildlife. Method: The study's method comprises Proknow-C, which involves selecting and analyzing relevant articles on the subject to create a bibliographic portfolio that enables literature analysis. The most significant research in the scientific literature at both national and global levels was presented. Results and Discussion: During the process, 95 articles were identified as relevant to the topic, forming the Bibliographic Portfolio (BP) of this research. Brazil is noteworthy as one of the countries that contributed the most publications, accounting for 57% of the articles in the BP. Regarding the growth of studies related to green spaces, the years 2022 and 2023 stand out, corresponding to 31% of the total publications in the BP analysis. Research Implications: It is important for future research to investigate innovative strategies for integrating green infrastructures in urban areas. Investing in expanding and improving these spaces can contribute to healthier, more sustainable, and resilient cities.