Special Session 3

SPECIAL SESSION #3

Sensors, Instrumentation, and Innovative Technologies to Improve People Wellbeing in the Built Environment: The Contribution of the Innovation Ecosystem Vitality

Nicole Morresi

University Polytechnic of Marche, Italy

• n.morresi@pm.univpm.it

Gian Marco Revel

University Polytechnic of Marche, Italy

• gm.revel@univpm.it

Science and measurement technology are essential to shaping the built environment (BE), which significantly impacts human health, wellbeing, and sustainability. Encompassing both working and living spaces, the BE includes buildings, infrastructure, energy systems, and materials—key contributors to global challenges like resource consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change. Tackling these issues demands innovative, holistic approaches to enhance sustainability. The Vitality Project, and specifically Spoke 5: Environmental, Economic, and Social Sustainability of Living and Working Environments, focuses on addressing these critical needs. Aligned with the European Union's objectives to reduce GHG emissions and achieve a sustainable transition, Spoke 5 is dedicated to creating holistic, user-centric solutions for resilient, inclusive, and sustainable spaces. By leveraging advanced measurement techniques, sensor networks, digital technologies, and innovative materials, it aims to foster long-term sustainability in both living and working environments.

This special session will explore key areas of innovation within the built environment, emphasizing advancements in four critical domains that are inherently connected to the BE:

• People-centric sustainable buildings;
• Active & Assisted Living (AAL) solutions;
• Eco-sustainability of products for living environments;
• Sustainable manufacturing for the living environment industry;

Participants are encouraged to delve into state-of-the-art measurement and evaluation methods for improving and assessing human wellbeing, as well as innovative measurement systems and sensor-based digital tools addressing these domains. The session fosters discussions on the integration of technologies, such as CAD, BIM, Digital Twin, and computational methods, to enhance sustainability, reduce environmental impact, and promote safe environments for occupants, workers, and vulnerable populations.

Papers on the metrological evaluation of devices and processes related to well-being parameters are strongly encouraged. Contributions on metrological evaluations, advanced materials, and their applications in real- world scenarios are particularly welcomed. Studies focusing on innovative measurement systems and technologies for a sustainable BE, including their characterization and improvements in measurement performance, are also invited.

Areas of Interest Include, but Are Not Limited To:

• Multi-domain interaction between occupants and the built environment to support both building design and operational phases;
• New tools for integrated and effective provisions and advanced monitoring of buildings;
• Innovative and smart digital AAL solutions (robotics, monitoring, and AI-based algorithms);
• Innovative tools and methods to foster environmental sustainability;
• Methods and systems for improving workers' experience.

Nicole Morresi PhD in Mechanical and Thermal Measurements from Università Politecnica delle Marche, is Research Fellow at Università Politecnica delle Marche. Her research focuses on the development of sensor networks and measurement techniques for supporting people in the built environment (e.g. IEQ, comfort and wellbeing), data analysis of heterogeneous datasets using AI-based techniques, and sensors for buildings and infrastructures, health and industrial application.

Gian Marco Revel is Full Professor in Mechanical and Thermal Measurement at Università Politecnica delle Marche, where he is Rector Delegate for European Research. He received the Ph.D. degree in mechanical measurements from Università degli Studi di Padova in 1998. His research focuses on sensors and measurement technologies for buildings, health and industrial applications, with a particular focus on comfort and human behaviour and diagnostics.