Sustainability & Green Design
Human development activities have always demanded resources and produced waste in many forms, which resulted in the birth of the sustainability concept. However, this concept was not always well-received as it required innovative ways to be implemented while diverting some of the immediate economic gains into long term investments. As the concept became more refined and understood, it was realized that it could be applied more comprehensively and that it could even be an economic driver. Nevertheless, sustainability is still facing resistance and has a long way to go to be part of all human activities.
Along the way, another concept was developed, which is green design. Green in general refers to considerations related to environment and resources as implemented in the near future of localized activity. In a way, green can be considered as a subset of sustainability. Therefore, green design has also faced similar resistance like sustainability.
This seminar will provide a comprehensive understanding of the concepts of sustainability and green design, their similarities and differences, and their root and connections with the environment, which can help in understanding the resistance to their implementation and support further innovation in integrating them into future human endeavors.
Dr. Barakat is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and a registered professional engineer in Ontario, Canada. Dr. Barakat’s expertise and interests include Mechatronics, Control, Robotics, Energy Harvesting, Nanotechnology, and Engineering Education. He is also a certified Program Evaluator (PEV) for ABET. He has over 80 peer reviewed publications and numerous training workshops around the globe aiming at improving engineering education. Dr. Barakat holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from McMaster University, Ontario, and a Masters Degree from Concordia University, Canada. He is also the recipient of multiple awards including the ASME Edwin F. Church Medal (2020), ASME McDonald Mentoring Award (2014), ASME Dedicated Service Award (2011), and GVSU Distinguished Early-Career Award (2010). Dr. Barakat is active with related professional organizations and is currently serving on the executive boards of the ASME Engineering Management Division and Technology & Society Division. He also served as the past chair of the Engineering Ethics Division at the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) as well as in multiple leadership positions with ASME.
Dr. Barakat’s research interest includes the areas of: Mechatronics, Robotics, Dynamic Systems and Control, Energy Harvesting, as well as Engineering Leadership, Ethics, Professionalism, and Engineering Education. Currently he is working with a research group on energy harvesting devices implemented in different applications. Dr. Barakat is also working on parallel on Engineering education and leadership topics as well as sustainability and societal impact of technology.