A simulation study was conducted to evaluate lighting energy savings of split-pane electrochromic (EC) windows controlled to satisfy key visual comfort parameters. Using the Radiance lighting simulation software, interior illuminance and luminance levels were computed for a south-facing private office illuminated by a window split into two independently-controlled EC panes. The transmittance of these was optimized hourly for a workplane illuminance target while meeting visual comfort constraints, using a least-squares algorithm with linear inequality constraints. Blinds were successively deployed until visual comfort criteria were satisfied. The energy performance of electrochromics proved to be highly dependent on how blinds were controlled. With hourly blind position adjustments, electrochromics showed significantly higher (62percent and 53percent, respectively without and with overhang) lighting energy consumption than clear glass. With a control algorithm designed to better approximate realistic manual control by an occupant, electrochromics achieved significant savings (48percent and 37percent, respectively without and with overhang). In all cases, energy consumption decreased when the workplace illuminance target was increased. In addition, the fraction of time during which the occupant had an unobstructed view of the outside was significantly greater with electrochromics: 10 months out of the year versus a handful of days for the reference case.

This paper presents results from an experiment to determine brain activation differences between problem-solving anddesigning of industrial designers. The study adopted and extended the tasks described in a previous fMRI study of designcognition and measured brain activation using EEG. The experiment consists of 4 tasks: problem-solving, basic designand open design tasks using a tangible interface and sketching. By taking advantage of EEG’s temporal resolution wefocus on time-related neural responses during problem-solving compared to design tasks. Statistical analyses indicateincreased activation when designing compared to problem-solving. Results of time-related neural responses connected toBrodmann areas cognitive functions, contribute to a better understanding of industrial designers’ cognition. The study ispart of a research project whose goal is to correlate design cognition with brain behavior across design domains. Bring-ing neuroscience methods to design research is contributing to a better understanding of the emergent field of designneurocognition.

Resenha do Dossiê Poética das margens no espaço literário e cultural franco-brasileiro, publicado pela Revue Silène: Centre de recherches en littérature et poétique comparées de Paris Ouest Nanterre-La Défense. Coordenação de Eliane Robert Moraes e Camille Dumoulié.