Amirkabir University of TechnologyAdvances in Energy Sciences and Technologies3115-91172120260701Integrated passive active design towards Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB): A life cycle and circularity perspective125610710.22060/aest.2026.25901.1007ENMohammadRezaMehdizade MarzebaliNo. 350, Hafez Ave, Valiasr Square, Tehran, IranMasoumehMohamadianNo. 350, Hafez Ave, Valiasr Square, Tehran, Iran0000-0001-9964-1462MasoumehBararzadeh LedariNo. 350, Hafez Ave, Valiasr Square, Tehran, IranJournal Article20260522This study investigates the life cycle environmental performance of a large office building (11,400 m²) in Tehran’s semi arid climate towards NZEB. A sequential simulation framework is developed: DesignBuilder for passive optimization (EPS insulation, PCM, multi layer green roof) and HOMER Pro for a 273 kWp grid connected PV system without battery storage. A cradle to grave LCA (One Click LCA, EN 15978) and circularity assessment are performed over a 60 year service life. The best passive configuration reduces total energy demand by 11.8%. Adding PV cuts annual grid electricity purchase by 65.5% (from 271.1 to 171.2 MWh), making the building a net electricity exporter (110.6% annual penetration). Although the active scenario increases embodied carbon by 16% (from 6,887 to 7,990 t CO₂e), it lowers operational carbon by 58.7% (from 30,871 to 12,755 t CO₂e), resulting in a 44.7% lower total life cycle GWP (20,902 vs. 37,758 t CO₂e). The carbon payback of the full passive active package is only 5 years. A negative trade off for PCM is observed (+154 t total carbon vs. EPS only), and circularity improves from 11.5% to 13% material return to cycle. The proposed battery less passive active framework demonstrates a fast repaying, low carbon NZEB pathway suitable for developing countries with unstable grids. The findings also caution against using PCM in climates where EPS already provides effective insulation.https://aest.aut.ac.ir/article_6107_29586cb449c90e249f1f09a0a4ee245a.pdfAmirkabir University of TechnologyAdvances in Energy Sciences and Technologies3115-91172120260701Energy assessment and smart readiness evaluation of an educational building: A case study at Amirkabir University of Technology2643610810.22060/aest.2026.25945.1010ENSetayeshMirhosseiniDepartment of Physics and Energy Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran, Iran.Mohammad RezaAghaeiDepartment of Sustainable System Engineering (INATECH), Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.FarzadHatami BarghStructural and Earthquake Research Center, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran, Iran.Journal Article20260530This study evaluates the smart readiness of the two faculties at Amirkabir University of Technology using the Smart Readiness Indicator framework. To address building energy impacts, it provides a unified tool for assessing technical system functionality. Method B is applied through site inspections, interviews, and operational data. This study examines adapting the EU‑based scheme to Iran, focusing on user‑defined weighting. The results reveal an overall SRI score of 5.3%, indicating a low level of smart readiness in the assessed educational building. While energy-related functionalities achieved the highest performance, grid flexibility and occupant interaction remained particularly limited. The assessment identified significant opportunities for improvement through practical measures such as smart metering, occupancy-based control strategies, and enhanced building management systems. The findings contribute to the localization of SRI applications and provide guidance for future smart-retrofit strategies in higher-education buildings.https://aest.aut.ac.ir/article_6108_c09b1eadea0efc7914f73ac698494b5e.pdfAmirkabir University of TechnologyAdvances in Energy Sciences and Technologies3115-91172120260701Optimization of silicon solar cell performance through RF magnetron sputtered WS₂ thin films: Effect of coating thickness on photovoltaic characteristics4451616110.22060/aest.2026.26208.1012ENSeyedeh ZahraMortazaviPhysics and Energy Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), P.O. Box 15875-4413, Tehran, Iran0000-0002-4420-6655Shir AqaBarekziPhysics Department, Faculty of Science, Imam Khomeini International University, P.O. Box 34149-16818, Qazvin, IranAliReyhaniPhysics Department, Faculty of Science, Imam Khomeini International University, P.O. Box 34149-16818, Qazvin, IranJournal Article20260707This study investigates the effect of tungsten disulfide (WS₂) thin-film coatings deposited by Radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering on the performance of silicon solar cells. WS₂ layers with thicknesses of 120, 240, 400, and 600 Å were applied, and the photovoltaic characteristics were evaluated through I–V and P–V measurements. The results showed that coating thickness significantly influences cell performance. Efficiency improved for thicknesses between 120 and 400 Å, with the best performance obtained at 400 Å, where the fill factor increased from 0.5 to 0.6 and the conversion efficiency increased from 9.5% to 10.0%. However, a thickness of 600 Å reduced efficiency due to increased optical and electrical losses. The findings indicate that an optimum WS₂ thickness exists and that RF magnetron sputtering is an effective method for enhancing silicon solar cell performance.https://aest.aut.ac.ir/article_6161_5bf73bc6c6e6775d472621264309a88b.pdfAmirkabir University of TechnologyAdvances in Energy Sciences and Technologies3115-91172120260701Exact analytical modeling of a solar-ventilated modernized qanat for atmospheric water harvesting: Decoupling proof and closed-form solutions for Chabahar's humid climate5270616210.22060/aest.2026.26301.1013ENSalehGhassemiDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran0009-0009-5023-6584Journal Article20260720Arid-coastal regions face a paradoxical coexistence of acute water scarcity and abundant atmospheric humidity,<br>demanding low-carbon harvesting solutions. This study develops an exact one-dimensional analytical<br>framework for a modernized, solar-ventilated underground Qanat equipped with horizontal aluminum fins,<br>designed for passive atmospheric water harvesting in Chabahar, Iran—a hot-humid coastal city subject to<br>Indian Ocean monsoons. Moving beyond conventional lumped-parameter and numerical approaches, we<br>rigorously prove the mathematical decoupling of the sensible heat and species transport equations under<br>constant ground-temperature boundary conditions, yielding explicit closed-form solutions for the spatial<br>evolution of air temperature and humidity ratio. Applied to a 500-m finned tunnel at 20 m depth under peak<br>summer conditions (40°C, 92% RH), the model reveals two critical design parameters: the thermal and<br>mass penetration depths (𝛿_ℎ ≈ 218 𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝛿_𝑚 ≈ 246 𝑚), demonstrating that over 99% of<br>condensation occurs within the first 250 m of the tunnel. At an optimized airflow velocity of 1.5 m/s—<br>analytically determined as the thermodynamic optimum balancing residence time and fan power—the system<br>yields 𝟑𝟕𝟖 𝑳/𝒉 of freshwater, equivalent to 𝟏𝟑𝟔 𝒎³/𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒉 under 12 h/day operation. The specific energy<br>consumption is merely 𝟎. 𝟑𝟕 𝑾𝒉/𝑳, over three orders of magnitude lower than conventional vaporcompression<br>atmospheric water generators. A parametric sensitivity analysis confirms the robustness of the<br>design and enables rapid optimization without computational fluid dynamics. The proposed modernized<br>Qanat represents a scalable, off-grid, mathematically optimized solution bridging ancient Persian hydraulic<br>heritage with modern renewable energy integration for the water-energy nexus in arid-coastal climates<br>worldwide.https://aest.aut.ac.ir/article_6162_6aaba9a124857622930ca4e50f5afed2.pdf