Can positive input ventilation tackle surface condensation and mould growth? Literature review and case study of a UK dwelling

Author's Biography

Paula Lopez-Arce PhD currently works as Head of Research at The Property Care Association (PCA), co-director and Head of Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation at Maple Research and Development Ltd. She also holds an Honorary Research Fellow position at the Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering (IEDE) of University College London (UCL) and serves as external adviser researcher to co-supervise PhD students at Leeds Becket University, Leeds Sustainability Institute (LSI), School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing. She holds a PhD on earth science and geological processes obtained in 2004 at Complutense University of Madrid (Spain). During the last 22 years she has been working as a research scientist and project manager on knowledge transfer research projects between industry and academia, ie trade associations, universities, museums and other institutions in Europe, UK, Australia and America, gaining a strong expertise in conservation science, architectural and archaeological heritage. Her research lines and numerous publications include scientific articles, book chapters and conference proceedings in the following topics: I) characterisation of building materials and products (stone, bricks, mortars, cements, ceramics, nanoparticles, etc.); 2) identification of causes of decay (rising damp, atmospheric moisture, mould growth, salt crystallisation, environmental pollution); 3) diagnostic methods based on analysis, testing, measuring and monitoring the built environment (use of data loggers and non-destructive techniques, physico-chemical analyses and standard tests) to assess the effect of moisture, conservation products and rectification treatments, and the compatibility and durability of materials and structures for the preservation of both residential and historic buildings. At Maple R&D she works on research and development of innovate diagnostic systems applied to measure and monitor the environmental conditions. One main goal is to quantify moisture levels and to assess the root cause and severity of related problems such as condensation damp and mould growth for gaining more resilient properties and getting better indoor air quality living environments.