Archive for the ‘Buildings’ Category

« Older Entries

Healing Plastic

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009

Everyone has scraped or cut themselves at one point or another. Once a finger has an unfortunate encounter with the edge of a knife or your knee falls against rough pavement, exposed skin is damaged and you start bleeding. It’s all temporary, though. A scar is eventually all that is left from a painful injury.

Machines aren’t so lucky. Tiny cracks that form in all plastic structures widen over time. Fixing these cracks before they become an issue would increase the overall integrity of anything made from plastics. This isn’t an unrealistic concept: In 2001 aeronautics engineers at the University of Illinois developed a self-healing man made material. The idea was to eliminate microscopic cracks that form on a material’s surface.

The whole process works with the help of microcapsules filled with dicyclopentadiene (a liquid) that are dispersed throughout the plastic surface. These microcapsules rupture as soon as a crack reaches them. Once these capsules burst and release the diclopentadiene inside, the liquid comes into contact with a catalyst which turns the liquid into a more solid state while it fills the crack, thereby healing the plastic. The healed plastic is then about 80% as strong as it was before it acquired the (now healed) crack.
post resumes below image


Self-healing plastic hosts a microvascular network containing a healing
agent that automatically oozes in to repair cracks.
(Photo: National Science Foundation)

It may take a while before this technology is perfected but self healing plastics have obvious benefits: We tend to grow less interested in our gadgets as they get scratched up. If our cell phones or ipods stayed scratch free, we would probably hang on to them a lot longer. Not only that, but it would be incredibly practical to incorporate self healing plastics into structures that are difficult (and costly) to get to, such as satellites, wind turbines and the inside of complex machinery.

Self healing plastics have already evolved since 2001: The original researchers in Illinois have eliminated the need for the catalyst (thereby cutting down production costs) while Biswajit Ghosh and Marek W. Urban from the University of Southern Mississippi have also taken things a step further by developing a polymer that uses natural sunlight to repair itself. (Polyurethane networks have been proven to exhibit self-repairing tendencies with exposure to ultra-violet light.) Click HERE to link to the scientific article.

As a whole, I look forward to when my cell phone looks new for longer than a day.

Tags: ,
Posted in Buildings, CleanTech | No Comments »

‘Energy Tower’ Combines the Old with the New

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009

When innovative buildings pop up in the news, no one is ever surprised to hear that the next architectural wonder will be built in the UAE. Dubai, Bahrain, and Abu Dhabi all seem to be competing in the green building department.

The eventual goal is for buildings to generate much of their own energy. Burj-al-Taqa (translated to mean energy tower), which will hopefully break ground in Dubai soon, follows this principle and will supposedly be completely self-sufficient.

Plans for its creation began in 2007 when the German architect Eckhard Gerber, dreamt up the design. Virtual images of the building popped up in hundreds of articles and we all wondered if this candle-shaped building would revolutionize the green building industry.
post resumes below image

The proposed Burj-al-Taqa zero-energy skyscraper.

A couple of interesting differences between this burj and all the rest, is its cyclindrical shape and the building materials used-both meant to help dissipate the heat. The tubular design is meant to minimize the surface area exposed to the sun while the special vacuum glazing used on the glass covering the entire structure will also help keep the heat out. This type of glass was only recently made available.

Burj-al-Taqa’s architects are also learning from history: Ancient Arabian houses used energy efficient technologies at a time when there were no other alternatives. (It is ironic how many buildings are reverting back to older technologies these days.) These old homes used a natural air conditioning system that sucked cold air into the living space via lateral vents which in turn forced the hot air out into the 120 degree summer heat.

The Spiegel describes how Burj al-Taqa hopes to use a similar process with their in-depth article: “The negative pressure created by winds breaking along the tower will suck the spent air from the rooms out of the building via air slits in the façade. The plan is for fresh air to be pumped into the interior of the building by means of a duct system at the same time.”

It doesn’t stop there. Seawater running through the cellar and under each floor will cool the air, while a large wind turbine on the roof of the 322 meter building will help generate enough electricity to power the skyscraper. Massive photovoltaic facilities will help charge the rest of the power grid.

After construction, burj-al-Taqa will be the 22nd tallest building in the world, but if all goes well, it will tower above the rest when it comes to energy efficiency.

Editor’s Note: For more on buildings like the burj-al-Taqa, a very interesting website we have uncovered is the skyscraper category of “Jetson Green,” dedicated reporting on innovative green building design.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Buildings | 3 Comments »

Outdoor Air Conditioning

Friday, December 19th, 2008

Sitting on a beach is the last thing most of us think about in the cold month of December, but it is an appealing escape. Beaches are the most popular destination spot and who could blame the millions of tourists whose tension is washed away by warm waves, exotic drinks and sunny skies. Nothing is ever perfect, though. The ocean may be too cold, and the sand is often scalding hot. It is just the nature of the beast and humans have to accept the fact that we cannot control everything. Yet, designers in Dubai may disagree.

The Palazzo Versace Hotel, breaking ground on Dubai’s coastline, is planning on creating its very own climate. The hotel’s sand will never burn sensitive soles thanks to a network of heat absorbing pipes under the beach and 820sq foot refrigerated pool will always refresh guests trying to escape the rising temperature. Not only that, but whenever temperatures become uncomfortably hot, fans may be placed around the hotel’s beach to force a cool breeze towards lounging guests.

Making outdoors indoors…

In addition to the one-of-a-kind beach, the 10-story hotel will incorporate indoor pools in some of the 213 rooms. For a more detailed list of the hotel’s guest features click HERE.

It comes as no surprise that environmentalists are not happy with the situation. It is also a slap in the face to countries facing the current economic crisis. A climate controlled beach seems like a waste of money, and the energy required to control an outside environment is immense. Not only that, but it is not even necessary: certain variables may be unappealing but they add to the charm of visiting a natural area.

Soheil Abedian, founder and president of Palazzo Versace, argues that luxuries like this can also be sustainable. Rather than forcing cool air onto the sand which requires more energy, for example, the heat will get sucked out. Unfortunately, the exact plans for the project are still unknown.

Dubai is already home of the world’s top resorts and countless luxury hotels, the most famous of which is Burj al’Arab-the first hotel ever to boast a 5 star rating. Abedian is simply following UAE tradition and attempting to compete with countless other hotels that have offer such amenities as private butlers in gold plated rooms that can cost up to $40,000 a night. He hopes that the climate controlled beaches will provide the edge to lure high class tourists through his hotel’s doors which are planned to open in 2010.

via The Australian News

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Buildings | 2 Comments »

Moses Project Planned to Part Venice Floods

Monday, December 15th, 2008

Venice floods more than one hundred times a year. At the beginning of this month, Venice was caught in another onslaught, as the sea level around the city rose higher than most people can remember. The last time locals and countless visitors had to wade through water this deep was over thirty years ago. It is floods like the most recent one that make it clear how important a flood barrier really is.

Things were different a century ago when floods occurred at an average of ten times a year, but Venice has always been sensitive to changes in water levels because the city itself is built on hundreds of small islands. It doesn’t help that Venice is sinking a few centimeters every year, as well.

One proposed solution comes in the form of a barrier that would use hydraulic pressure to raise steel plates that cut off the rising water flow. This controversial Moses Project-named after the religious figure who parted the red sea-was originally shelved because of the 4.2 billion dollar price tag and the millions (if not billions) of dollars it would take to maintain the structure annually. The hefty price tag isn’t the only cause for concern,  environmentalists worry that the artificial barriers will harm protected ecosystems. They claim that closing off the tide flow will cause water to stagnate and kill off marine life.

In an in-depth article by the Times, journalist Richard Owen explains that  the project “involves 79,300-tonne hinged steel panels or “buoyancy flap gates”, which most of the time will lie beneath the water but will fill with compressed air when the high-tide alarm sounds, closing off the three inlets. There are 700 workers at the three construction sites, a workforce due to double as completion approaches in 2012. A €1.5 million simulator at Malamocco shows how the locks will allow shipping to pass when the lagoon is blocked off.”

Any barrier that affects the natural flow of floods and tides will obviously have an impact on the underwater ecosystems. The question is how much of an effect? Not only that, but shouldn’t the ancient historical architecture be protected as well? Either way, Moses is currently scheduled for completion in 2012.

Overall land subsidence in the region surrounding Venice has
been 1.5 to 2.0 meters during the past 70 years, making high
tides far more problematic (ref. Wessex Institute).

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Buildings | No Comments »

Dynamic Tower-Room with a Rotating View

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

An apartment with a view is coveted property. After a hard day at work, sitting down in front of a panoramic window while sipping a glass of wine is a wonderful way to unwind.

A decent view is hard to come by. Not only that, but when actually given options, it may be hard to decide between the ocean view, city view, west side, or east side facing apartments. The answer: Individual rotating floors. Just make a choice and viola! The apartment slowly turns to face whatever you are in the mood to see that day.

Dubai, home to 1/3 of the world’s cranes, is constantly expanding. High rise buildings, hotels and skyscrapers are popping up like daisies. The latest technology and newest ideas are often used in the building process here, so it is no wonder that the revolutionary, rotating Dynamic Tower, designed by architect Dr. David Fisher, will break ground in Dubai.

The 420 meter (1,380) high tower will be constructed of 80 individual floors, which are divided into luxury apartments, small villas, offices and a hotel. Each section will rotate at various speeds, depending on the owners specifications. This amazing building will take on a life of its own as the individual sections slowly turn next to one another, constantly revolving and never looking exactly the same.

The Rotating Dynamic Tower
(Image: Rotating Tower
Technology International Ltd.)

This skyscraper isn’t just going to look pretty, either: It is meant to generate electricity thanks to the wind turbines that will spin between each floor.

The construction technique is yet another feat in itself, making the complicated design amazingly quick to build. Fisher explains that the Dynamic Tower will be “the first skyscraper to be built entirely from prefabricated parts that are custom made in a workshop, resulting in fast construction and substantial cost savings. This approach, known as the Fisher Method, also requires far less workers on the construction site. [To put things into perspective, 2000 workers are typically needed on sites as big as this, but only 80 technicians are required for the tower].” In the end, it only takes 7 days to complete each floor!

Dynamic Tower should be opening its doors as soon as 2010.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Buildings, Energy | 1 Comment »

The Dirt On Solar Panels

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008

Solar panels have been the topic of thousands of articles over the past couple of years. It seems like everyone is going pro-solar, but there is one thing that few people have addressed: Dirt. Solar panels glisten in the sun after first being installed, and make any building look modern, shiny and new when viewed from above. But after a little while, these panels reflect a little less and don’t function as well. Tree branches hanging overhead drop sap onto anything below, flocks of birds leave behind a mess after spending the night overhead while dust, grime and mold adds to the layers of dirt already coloring the solar panels a splotchy brown.

Dirt is a major problem with solar panels, and letting it accumulate over a few months may reduce a solar panel’s efficacy by almost 25%. It is suggested that solar panels are cleaned on a regular basis, but this can be time consuming and even dangerous.

OCS Energy has developed a practical solution with the use of an automated cleaning system. In a recent press release, the company explains why they came up with the novel idea:

“After receiving numerous maintenance inquiries from clients over the years, and seeing no practical cleaning solutions, Rich O’Connell, CEO of OCS Energy, developed the SolarWash system. The patent pending SolarWash system provides a complete solar cleaning solution including maintenance free nozzles, a web‐based interface, and a programmable logic controller (PLC). The end‐to‐end solution allows operators of large PV systems to effectively manage their resources, initiating the washing of panels without the need to schedule a maintenance crew.”

Panel performance declines without regular
cleaning - OCS Energy has an automated solution.
(Source: OCS Energy, Inc.)

Buyers of solar panels often assume that the work is over after the panels are installed.

Obviously this isn’t the case when cleaning crews need to be hired on a regular basis in order to keep the panels functioning properly.

SolarWash isn’t exactly cheap, but it will pay for itself in under five years by eliminating cleaning costs and increasing the amount of energy absorbed by the panels.

Solar panels will now really be maintenance-free with SolarWash’s fully automated fanning nozzles spraying the panels down whenever they get too dirty.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Buildings, Photovoltaic, Solar | 4 Comments »

Beans As Building Blocks

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

Few plants show up on the table in as many forms as the soybean. This hairy legume has been an important component of various foods and drugs in asia for over 5,000 years. In that time, it has been squeezed, pressed, boiled and engineered into soymilk, tofu, edamame, sprouts, flour, or vegetarian cheeses. Soybean oils are also found in soaps, cosmetics, plastics, clothes and biodiesel. Soy is everywhere and now we can literally surround ourselves with the stuff by using it as foam insulation in our homes.

Insulation is appealing to homeowners because it reduces energy costs: A properly insulated home will stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter since the flow of heat is restricted. This cuts down immensely on heating and cooling costs. Not only that, but thicker, insulated walls absorb sound, so neighbors yelling at the traffic passing by won’t wake you up at night.

Most traditional insulation materials are non-biodegradable polystyrene and polyurethane blends, which require petroleum for production. A soy based foam, on the other hand, is just as easily sprayed throughout the home and besides having the highest percentage of renewable resource ingredients, it is also biodegradable.

Ohio based Emega technologies proudly states that “EMEGA Soy-based Spray Foam Insulation is manufactured from renewable American grown soy beans. Among its best features is that it expands to 100 times its volume to completely fill every space and void creating a barrier and thermal seal. The EMEGA thermal seal keeps your heating and cooling costs low. The barrier keeps pollutants out of your home and greatly reduces noise pollution. As an inert substance EMEGA Soy-Based Spray Foam Insulation retains its structural integrity for the life of your home. It is not effected by moisture, mold, insects or rodents.”

Bio Based Insulation is another company specializing in Soy based insulation. Their success is obvious, with an article about the company finding its way into magazines on a regular basis since 2003. They developed the first water-blown, closed-cell spray foam, which eliminates the need for spraying agents than contain harmful chemicals. Once sprayed, the foam does not shrink or settle and is comparable to, if not better than, other insulation products.

An average home requires about 2 acres of soybeans for full coverage. The foam lasts practically forever, and with a 30-50% reduction in energy usage per home because of added insulation, these beans are definitely being put to good use.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Buildings, CleanTech, Energy | 1 Comment »

« Older Entries