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Introducing a new cycle of architectural eco-infrastructure that promotes the regeneration of local and native plant species within the Valldaura region. Wind vibration energy acts as a platform for new dialog between ecological systems and human interaction. AmpLeaf is a synthesized smart surface which is integrated into the anatomy of the forest to experiment from within, using energy directly harvested from the ecosystem and its many agents rather than energy from existing power grids.

With the rise of a new generation of technologies capable of integration on a nano-level, we, as designers, are able to think about our environments on a different scale and recognize the emergent logics which can be tapped into for experimentation. This project aims to make social impacts on the ecosystem, encouraging birds and animals to gather around targeted flora and fauna native to (or marginalized from) the Valldaura region. The goal is to develop infrastructure that works in sync with existing systems, lessening the disparity between densities of biodiversity in the region and creating a richer and more competitive environment.

Valldaura Self Sufficient Labs

Site occupies an optimal spot for the exploration of biosphere rejuvenation through passive systems. Located in the Collserola National Park, it is one of many sites that have experienced a notable decrease in diversity of plant and animal life due to nearby development. Many studies by CERFA and the Park Consortium have correlated the subdivision and transformation of land with the marginalization of specific species, their resulting relocation and, in some cases, disappearance from the area.

Project Objectives

Through simple, integrated and ecologically sensitive interventions, this project aims to catalyze the slow process of bio-regeneration. Conceptually, it follows four basic pillars of environmental design:

• Environmental Infrastructure: targeting native species of flora and fauna with the purpose of enhancing biological phenomena such as pollination, zoochory (dispersal by seeds), and biotic fertilization
• Passive Energy Systems: applying energy directly back into the environment from which it is derived without the need for external sources. this will lead to the development of a framework for future growth
• Multi-functionality: use of adaptable and flexible tools which can perform different functions depending on input from the immediate context
• Symbiotic Relationships: identifying mutually beneficially ecological advancements for human and bio-life such as increased soil fertility, strengthened phosphorus, carbon and nitrogen cycles, and insect management

Key Terms of Study

• Zoochory (seed dispersal) – involves the dispersal of seeds by the carrying of seeds, fruits and berries by wildlife, including small mammals. There are two subsets of this phenomenon: dispersal by digestion and defecation (Endozoochory), and dispersal on an animal’s exterior (Epizoochory)
• Ornithochory – seed dispersal by birds
• Pollination – defined as the transfer of pollen between plants for the purpose of sexual reproduction
• Biotic Pollination – involves the transport of pollen by insects, bees, birds, bats, and small animals through social behavior and naturally occurring activities
• Soil Fertilization – refers to the the increased levels of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus present in the humus and topsoil of the forest as a result of increased animal deification
• Large Seed Plants – include trees, larger ferns and some thickets
• Forest Migration – the movement of large seed plant populations over longer periods of time, including the expansion and contraction of forest sizes

Product Specifications

AmpLeaf is designed to fit the needs of on-site customization and adaptability. All components are included in a minimally packaged format. Each ‘control’ sheet is embedded with the electronics required for energy harvesting, conversion, and light and sound emission. One additional sheet without electronics is provided and can be installed with the control sheet to enhance material reverberation and increased production.

Energy Production

Energry production with AmpLeaf is simple. As wind flows over and between the surfaces, vibration occurs along the rigid materials, activating the nano-generating piezos. Energy is transferred to the ‘control’ corner, where it is stored for use in powering lights and sounds.  An integrated LDR light sensor in the FLORA microcontroller takes a light reading after each programmed sleep interval (typical interval is approx 30 min). Based on a value of 1 (daytime), the speaker is activated, playing the programmed bird sound. Based on a value of zero (night), the neopixel LEDs are activated until the next reading.

Variation in the voltage input to energy harvester is due to the variation in generation of current from the piezos, which fluctuates according to material reverberation in the surface. Energy produced from the piezos is trickled into the NI-MH battery over time. Output from the harvester to the battery is constant, albeit in small amounts. Output from the battery to the rest of the system via the FLORA occurs at the the 30-minute programmed interval, and differs depending on the function as determined by the light reading.

Social and Ecological Implications

Unlike conventional wind energy harvesters, this device is quiet and embedded into nature. Using wind vibration energy offers a solution to micro-production of energy which operates at a very low frequency and high level of integration due to the fact that it responds not only to windspeed, but also to its direct environment. The cycle of output from the device is directly linked to the amount of energy input in the surrounding by wind, movements of animals, and human-induced environmental changes.

Ecological Agents of Interest:

• Flora and Fauna: the park regions used to be home to a number of species which have now been virtually eliminated. Though human intervention has attempted to bring these species back, we are interested in passive, biological stimulants to the process – Native species of interest: Apricot Tree, Acerola Plantae, Sweet Chestnut Tree, Cherry Tree, Guava Tree, Raspberry Tree, Wolfberry Tree, Pomegranate, Apple Tree, Chillean Guava, Common Walnut, Pear, Common Plum, Wine Grape, Gooseberry

• Birds: Because of their response to blooming and fruit-bearing trees, we are interested in using a back-to-basics concept of attracting birds through sound waves, and utilizing their social nature to passively expand the biological networks at Valldaura – Native species of interest: European Stonechat, Warbler, Nightengale, Wren, Robin, Goldfinch

• Small Mammals and Insects: The possibility of interacting with small mammals and insects is intriguing. An increase in insect populations will attract more birds to the area. Small mammals will contribute to the zoochory and biotic pollination by digesting seeds and berries – Native species of interest: Wild boars, Foxes, Rabbits, Small rodents

Furthermore to its ecological programs, the surface performs another function at night. When light levels reach a certain low, energy from the storage device will be directed towards the production of lights through Neopixel LEDs which are sewn into the fabric.  The intention is to create spaces which are usable by both humans and animals for the enrichment of the area’s biodiversity.

Future Growth

• 2-year: The 2-year plan for growth of this intervention includes the installation of surfaces in 3 specific trees to create a triangulated area in which to study. The target area includes the hilltops to the south and south east of Valldaura campus (pictured). The surface should be checked once per week to ensure that the components are operational and the systems should be replaced after 2 years at the end of the winter season. This will ensure maximum efficiency in peak mating seasons. 

• 15-year: Two centuries ago most of the Valldaura region was occupied by vineyards and farmland which were self-sufficient and home to over 800 species of fauna. The future cultivability of the land is dependant on the strength of the ecological network. This 15-year plan includes a number of extensions of the focused areas surrounding Valldaura campus which will form a framework for biodiversity development, strengthening the fertility of the soils and the natural mineral cycles.

click below to animate

In 2014 AmpLeaf was on exhibit in the Barcelona Llum Festival (Festival of Lights) as part of the IaaC installation entitled ‘Dada’.   2 more AmpLeafs were fabricated for the installation, one of which was 40% bigger. Below are pictures from the event, which took place from February 7-9 in the patio of Museu Marès.

The North Wind Team – Sofia Kcomt Villacorta; Pong Santayanon; Atessa Zandi & Ian Harry Mann

The WindBlind is the product of the exploration of electricity generation and application.

A final product with multiple energy saving prospects, the WindBlind has been subject to thorough research & intense design development.

Initial Concept

The idea of harvesting energy from the wind is not new. There is evidently mass commercialisation of wind energy, mainly in the form of rotary wind turbines. Therefore the intent was not to create a new wind turbine, but rather to understand the natural energy, & any possible social & sustainable benefits which could be attained by adapting wind energy to various scales.

The concept of the wind belt was developed, refined, & revitalised. The wind belt was an attractive option to us due to it’s simplicity. The system required an input of slow speed wind to create aeroelastic flutter – a movement which would cause a magnet to osolate through a copper coil. The lack of mechanical or moving parts in the harvesting of energy has many fundamental benefits – mainly high durability & low maintenance.

The social implications of the technology were addressed, & the resultant design outcome was a self powered, automated, isolated shading device, whose application covered a range of functions such as shading for glazing & outdoor public and private spaces.

Electricity generation

Copper Coils & Magnets

Understanding the energy production of copper coils & magnets was a thorough part of our research. We fabricated many copper coils, with various combinations of turns, thickness in copper and using dual or single coils in one unit.

The relationship between the copper coil turns and the size of the magnets used was a direct indicator to the energy produced.

Thorough research of the efficiency of various copper coil & magnet combinations and piezo electric technology was conducted.

After several weeks of research and extensive testing, it was decided to use Piezo electric technology. The energy production is much greater (around 5 times higher per unit) than copper coils & magnets.

Piezo Electric Technology

Bending Technique

The total cost of each Piezo was roughly equivalent to that of each copper coil and magnet unit. However, as indicated in the above graphs, the Piezo Electric Technology has a far more substantial energy production compared to that of the copper coils and magnets. Taking into consideration the weight, it was an obvious transition from copper coils and magnets (with a very high weight per unit) compared to that of the Piezo’s, whose weight was almost negligible.

Design Development

A number of designs were explored throughout the 3 month period, ranging from hand-held devices and belts hanging from trees to
outdoor furniture.

A major recuring theme, due to the low energy production of individual units, was to create a product comprised of multiple belts, having multiple piezo’s in parrallel.

Wind belt technology could be incorporated into furniture – the structure of a bench would support wind belts between structural components, generating electricity for charging phones or lighting at night.

Hand-held, individual units were explored. Light-weight units would could be transported by hand, and could be taken camping to charge lights or phones/UHF’s.
Also developed at this stage of the design process was the “hanging belt” (in the centre of the image). This concept would would swing freely from a tree, and could be installed throughout forests.

An early idea developed was to infill a window from with multiple wind belts – an concept which could double as a shading device.

The above concepts had a number of problems to overcome, and were essential in our design process for understanding the problems that our product faced.

Firstly, individual units were too limited in their energy production. A system comprising of multiple units was essential for any significant output.

The second problem addressed was the disunified approach originally taken to the design. The structure, wind belt, and energy producing technology was all significantly seperated. This theme was continued through our design until late in the semester, when we developed the first wind blind – finding a design which could incorporate all of these systems into one unified product.

 Early in the design process, we explored other methods of generating electricity from wind energy. The obvious system uses a dynamo in a rotary mechanism. We experimented with a helix form, which allowed a very lightweight object to have a large surface area constantly exposed to wind.

This design faced limitations in its inability to change direction with the wind, as well as its limited application to the site.

Prototyping

#1                  The first model was to develop a small scale wind turbine that generated electricity using the aeroelastic flutter and induction copper coils. The intial prototype allowed us to test and explore the application of aeroelastic flutter, and the energy production associated with this method.

#2              The second prototype was an evolution of the first prototype, using multiple belts in a stacking system to increase the voltage output. It also worked with copper coils and magnets.

This prototype was developed mainly with the aim of testing voltage output from various copper coil and magnet combinations, as well as our first testing of Piezo Electric Technology. These tests were all combined in the one prototype.

#3             The third prototype constructed was to allow us to test a new design. The concept was based on the original theory of aeroelastic flutter, but used the Piezo Electric Technology in place of the copper coils & magnets, due to cost, weight and time of manufacture disadvantages caused by the copper coils & magnets. As well as being able to optimise the materials, we were also able to test the Arduino and electrical components, as well as optimized location and movement of the Piezo’s.

The new concept was designed to infill a window at Valldaura, and was intended to be highly adaptable.

#4            The final prototype – a refinement of #3 – was fabricated to minimise the overall weight and components of the product. The system was simplified in many areas – such as combining the cable system (which makes all blinds move in unison) and the Piezo’s into one component.

Arduino + Electrical Circuit

The WindBlind – A Product

The wind blind is designed to provide an automated, isolated, decentralized solar access control to any space.

Solar radiation and the access of sunlight to building interiors is a major factor in sustainable design. Although methods of controlling solar access are in abundance, these systems rely on human input, and therefore require direct monitoring from the building occupant.

The wind blind allows spaces to be sufficiently shaded or flooded with solar radiation based on the intensity of sunlight at any given time. Human interference and therefore the potential of human error is eliminated, ensuring precision and consistency.

Input & Output Processes

The Arduino is programmed to receive two inputs: one from the sun (light levels, read through a Light Sensor); and one from a remote control (SmartPhone).

In automated mode, the Arduino will take a light level reading. If the luminosity is below a pre-set level (adjustable for seasons), then this will trigger the output – for the Stepper Motor to change position – therefore opening the blinds. The Arduino will then sleep for 3 hours (to save battery and ensure that the blind is not opening and closing at every passing cloud). After 3 hours, a new light level reading will be taken, and the blind will open or close to compensate for any change in luminosity.

The Arduino has been programmed to receive a manual input – from a SmartPhone. This will overide both the sleep mode and the light level reading (in the case of the occupant wanting privacy, or more ventilation – for example).

Passive Design

Solar Heat Gains play an important role in sustainable design. Solar radiation can be significantly advantageous to thermal comfort, but can also be hugely detrimental.

By allowing solar access to the internal thermal mass of the building, you create access to a free and comfortable heating source. However, if over-exposed, this can create huge discomfort, lasting for hours due to the time-lag of thermal mass materials (such as concrete, with a 9 hour time-lag in releasing its stored heat).

By ensuring consistent and efficient monitoring and access of solar radiation – accessability when needed but also shading as required – we can greatly reduce cooling and heating loads for the applicable building.

From the above example of cooling load reductions at Valldaura, we can see that there is a substantial benefit to having external shading on a building – approximately 3/4 of the required energy consumption to cool a building from solar heat gains is eliminated.

Fabrication of the final Prototype

Installation Instructions

Cost

As displayed in this graph, the final prototype was relatively inexpensive to fabricate. The design process included consideration to the overall cost and weight of the materials used. It was important from the outset to reduce these features.

Weight

The overall weight of the unit was 2.4 Kilograms. This weight was mainly made up by the Stepper Motor (180 grams), the electronics & the mounting board.

Energy Production

Using 20 Piezo’s in Parrallel allowed us to average a 10 Volt Production with high wind speeds (>5 m/s), and a 2 Volt average during low wind speeds (>1 m/s; < 3 m/s). We were able to charge the 3.5 Volt Li-Po Battery in approximately 3 hours of average wind speeds at the Valldaura site (2 m/s).

Two Year Development

The major target for a two year development plan would be to create material made by laminated Lead Zirconate Titanite (Piezo electronic technology) in large sheets, allowing forms whose entire mass is dedicated to energy production.

Fifteen Year Development

The movement which is currently being controlled by a Light Sensor, Arduino and Stepper Motor (requiring the full energy produced by the system) will be replaced by using a Photoresponsive Polymer as the laminate material – as the material is exposed to sunlight, the polymers will change shape, forcing the material to bend to the designed form. This procecss will be reversed when there is no light.

The use of Photoresponsive Polymers will allow all of the harvested energy to be used for various outputs such as lighting public spaces and public charging bays (phones, computers, vehicles, etc.).

A static pavillion from ZHA. The WindBlind in 15 years could act as a second skin to buildings, allowing fully self-automated passive climate control. (source: www.bustler.net)

This pavilion from the South Korea SOMA Expedition was constructed in 2012. It uses a system inspired by biomimetic design. It’s limitation is the motor and mechanics required to change it’s form.

“One Ocean“ Thematic Pavilion EXPO 2012 : SOMA from Arch2O.com on Vimeo.