Design for sustainability (DFS): New challenges in developing and implementing a curriculum for next generation design and manufacturing engineers

This paper presents recent trends in innovative product design and manufacture requiring a paradigm shift in traditional methodologies that are becoming increasingly ineffective for applications built for sustainable futures. The well-known concept of sustainable development, which is based on sustained growth for environmental, economic and societal benefits, is brought in focus for highlighting the significance of product design and manufacture. This paper is aimed at tackling these challenges with a proposed new curriculum at five different levels. Perpetual material flow and multi-life cycle/multi-use self-healing materials, innovative product and process design and development are in the core of the proposed design for sustainability educational programs.