Archives for October 2016

Nanocatalyst Transforms Atmospheric CO2 Into Ethanol Directly

“This could help to balance a grid supplied by intermittent renewable sources.” Rondinone said

19 October 2016 From Paul Münzner Filed Under: Energy, Featured

Cities are on the frontlines of global climate change. We urgently need to reduce the amount of activities that create excessive carbon dioxide, smog and other greenhouse gasses. If at all possible, it will be a long way to completely prevent the emission of harmful greenhouse gasses caused by human activities. What kinds of options are available to deal with this situation? Maybe the coincidentally found solution from Oak Ridge National Labs?

Thanks to ORNL nanocatalyst CO₂ can be seen as chemical feedstock

Instead of perceiving carbon dioxide as a harmful waste product, it can be used as a raw material to produce ethanol if things go the way researchers from the United States want. Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) developed a new waste-to-fuel technology. A nanocatalyst with small spikes of carbon and copper is able to convert CO₂ to ethanol.

“We discovered somewhat by accident that this material worked,” said ORNL’s Adam Rondinone, lead author of the team’s study published in ChemistrySelect. “We were trying to study the first step of a proposed reaction when we realized that the catalyst was doing the entire reaction on its own.”

Nanocatalyst does not consist of exotic and uncommon materials

Furthermore, the nanocatalyst does not consist of exotic and uncommon materials. Expensive metals like platinum are not needed. The secret lies in Cu nanoparticles on a highly textured, N-doped carbon nanospike fil. Graphite, the crystalline form of carbon, is an abundantly available resource and occurs in many parts of the world. The provision of copper can be realized for decades trough recycling and the exploitation of reserves. Nitrogen, a further component, is the most common pure element in the earth. “By using common materials, but arranging them with nanotechnology, we figured out how to limit the side reactions and end up with the one thing that we want,” Rondinone said.

Nanocatalyst turns carbon dioxide into ethanol with a yield of 63 percent

According to the scientists, the catalyst possesses various advantages. With a Faradaic efficiency of 63 percent (at −1.2 V vs RHE), the nanocatalyst generates ethanol with a comparatively high proportion of transferred electrons during the electrochemical reaction. Additionally, with a selectivity of 84 percent, a large fraction of the feed can be converted into ethanol. Selectivity can be stated as the rate of conversion of the feed to the desired product divided by the total conversion rate of the feed. Furthermore, the electrochemical process runs in water at ambient pressure and temperature. This means there is no energy needed to generate differences in pressure and temperature. “We’re taking carbon dioxide, a waste product of combustion, and we’re pushing that combustion reaction backward with very high selectivity to a useful fuel,” Rondinone said. “Ethanol was a surprise — it’s extremely difficult to go straight from carbon dioxide to ethanol with a single catalyst.”

ORNL catalyst - nanocatalyst transforms carbon dioxide into ethanol - eco urban climate — Nano-spike catalyst appears like a mirror (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

Because of the mentioned advantages, the researchers think about a scale-up for industrial applications. Energy surpluses from renewable sources like wind and sun can probably be stored as ethanol after conversion. “A process like this would allow you to consume extra electricity when it’s available to make and store as ethanol,” Rondinone said. “This could help to balance a grid supplied by intermittent renewable sources.”

Biomorphic Living Screen – Self-Sustaining Ecosystem for Urban Environments

Engineered microbiomes are intended to minimize the use of space compared to parks or green corridors

09 October 2016 From Paul Münzner Filed Under: Featured, Green Building

For several of us, urban dwelling stimulates the longing for greenery and fresh air. An ecologically balanced built environment can reduce stress, influence our mood and immune system. The desire for nature needs to be satisfied. Maybe Biomorphic Living Screens (BLS) can satisfy the need for greenery. Curious about what it might be?

Designed by Daniel Inocente and Hooman Koliji from Creo, Biomorphic Living Screen promotes poly-cultural ecosystems in urban environments. The researchers aim to develop a balanced and sustainable built environment through a combination of structure and ecology which meets ecological and psychological demands. “Natural urban ecologies are becoming thinner and increasingly fragile.” Daniel Inocente reminds us.

Biomorphic Living Screen from Inocente and Koliji - ECO URBAN Green Building — (Inocente & Koliji)

Engineered microbiomes are intended to minimize the use of space compared to parks or green corridors, which require relative ample space and land – definitely expensive and rare in cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong, New York, or Paris. Through repetition and network growth across the city, micro-biomes promote an expanded web of urban ecology in symbiosis with existing ecological system in a given context.

Micro-biomes correspond to a range of forms, scales, functions, and technologies, providing individual nodes to a web of spatial ecologies in public spaces (Daniel Inocente)

An important element of this envisaged self-sustaining urban ecosystem is an aerated composite with a porous structure. It’s an ideal habitat for macro and micro cells – an adequate basis for keeping nutrients in place and cultivating a flora and fauna ecosystem. According to the designer, the microcells will be coated with a combination of growth agents, plant seeds, moss, and nutrients. A diversity of plant species, irrigated by misting nozzles, will be a living space for insects and birds.

Composite types of biomorphic Living Screen from Inocente and Koliji - ECO URBAN Green Building — Three different composite types - CLICK TO ENLARGE (Inocente & Koliji)

“I am interested in innovations at the intersection of design and ecology to create new forms of spatial ecologies.” Hooman Koliji says. “As an educator, I am very interested to see notions grow, and living processes present in the design in at a fundamental level and in a cohesive fashion. We envision that the Eco-Screen project can provide an integrated solution for the built environment to address ecological design in innovative ways.” he adds.

Paneling System of Biomorphic Living Screen from Inocente and Koliji - ECO URBAN Green Building — Paneling System - CLICK TO ENLARGE (Inocente & Koliji)

“The increased integration of scientific knowledge into digital environments is enabling designers to investigate materials in novel ways.” emails Daniel Inocente. “The understanding of material behaviors made possible by decades of research is leading us to rethink how we approach material applications in design and architecture. Biological systems are complex and unpredictable, that is why our design aims to materialize certain behaviors in growth to find the synergies between active and inactive materials.” he adds.

Urban Applications - Biomorphic Living Screen from Inocente and Koliji - ECO URBAN Green Building — Urban applications - CLICK TO ENLARGE (Inocente & Koliji)

The designers of Biomorphic Living Screen state:

This project investigates the effects of computational modeling and simulation on composite material structures which undergo fluid to solid states, with the digital environment used a validation tool for analysis and optimal material distribution. The goal of the project is to produce a series of intricately designed living wall systems which will be composed of fluid cement composites, testing various add agents for introducing increased aeration, water retention, and structural behaviors. The topology of the wall system is meant to enhance its function as a host for various species of plants and organisms coexisting within the network of cavities. The effect of the solidified composite on the living organisms will be one of symbiosis, where the designed wall behaves as a framework for optimizing the growth and maintenance of any organisms inhabiting this wall.

Morphologies-Biomorphic Living Screen from Inocente and Koliji - ECO URBAN Green Building — Morphologies - CLICK TO ENLARGE (Inocente & Koliji)

For the elaboration of Biomorphic Living Screen, Hooman Koliji and Daniel Inocente applied recursive growth and topological optimization tools. “The responsive materialization of our models propose to synthesize digital models with physical constructions and introduces these workflows to real living systems to discover novel ways of informing performative biomorphic design.”

Voxel model of Biomorphic Living Screen from Inocente and Koliji - ECO URBAN Green Building — Voxel model optimization - CLICK TO ENLARGE (Inocente & Koliji)

Daniel Inocente

Daniel Inocente is a lead designer and researcher at HKS in Washington DC, where he is also a member of HKS|LINE (Laboratory for INtensive Exploration). His work involves computational research and the development of design methodologies that lead to interdisciplinary exchanges within the field of architecture. He gained work experience in the field of design, science, and engineering, leading him to seek out approaches to problem-solving which challenge the role of technology in Architecture.

His past professional experience includes working at Gehry Partners and Gehry Technologies, where he focused on parametric modeling strategies, analysis, technologies research and geometric rationalization methods for façade systems. Inocente maintains the notion that biological systems are complex and unpredictable, that is why Biomorphic Living Screen aims to materialize certain behaviors in growth to find the synergies between active and inactive materials.

Hooman Koliji

Hooman Koliji, Ph.D. is a designer, author, and educator. Hooman is an associate professor of architecture at the University of Maryland, where he explores innovations at the intersection of architecture and landscape design and technology. As an educator, he seeks to address notions grow, living processes, and technology in the design pedagogy at a fundamental level and through system thinking. As a Director at Creo, a design innovation company, Hooman seeks to link technology, experience design, and spatial design in the built environment. Koliji’s design research on Biomorphic Living Screen envisions an integrated solution for the built environment to address ecological design for the future of the built environment.

Several serious projects are concerned with making dense cities greener. For example, Hyperions and Magic Breeze in India, Drivhus in Stockholm or The Green Wall from Adam Kalinowski incorporate plants in different ways and provide environmental and aesthetic solutions and benefits. Recently, the University of the West of England unveiled its energy generating and wastewater recycling smart living bricks. It is possible to create bioreactor walls with them. Even the San Francisco Planning Commission seems to be aware and requires to build 30 percent of roof space as green roofs, or a combination of green roofs and solar panels.

We thank Daniel Inocente and Hooman Koliji for the provision of images and accompanying information.

Collaborative Climate Action – Cities Can’t Do It Alone

Analyzed data and information from 533 participating cities from 89 countries around the globe

04 October 2016 From Paul Münzner Filed Under: Featured, SCIENCE & STUDIES

Quote 2 - Collaborative climate action - CDP AECOM - sustainable cities — (CDP and AECOM)

Thanks to the newly released report It takes a city: The case for collaborative climate action, we get a vivid overview how cities collaborate with businesses on addressing climate change. The report, provided by CDP and AECOM and sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies, includes collected and analyzed data and information from 533 participating cities from 89 countries around the globe.

“Nearly two-thirds (64%) of cities disclosing through CDP in 2016 say they are collaborating with businesses on climate action”

About 64 percent of the 533 participating cities indicate that they maintain business relationships. As stated in the paper, it is easier for cities to set emissions reduction targets if they are collaborating with businesses.

Quote - Collaborative climate action - CDP AECOM - sustainable cities — (CDP and AECOM)

Economic opportunities - Collaborative climate action - CDP AECOM - sustainable cities — Various economic opportunities - CLICK TO ENLARGE (CDP and AECOM)

But what exactly means collaboration? Five areas have been identified and evaluated for five regions: Knowledge sharing, business development, planning policy, project implementation and financing. It is noteworthy that there is a comparatively vivid exchange of information and knowledge in North or Latin America with 61 or 38 cities. North America is also leading regarding financing & incentives. When it comes to project implementation, Europe clearly takes first place with 22 cities. The figures are the result of the CDP cities questionnaire.

collaborating areas - Collaborative climate action - CDP AECOM - sustainable cities — Number of cities collaborating with businesses on climate action - CLICK TO ENLARGE (CDP and AECOM)

“Our report shows that cities do not need to go it alone when it comes to responding to climate change. They are recognizing there is power in numbers, which is why so many came together to form the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy this June. By partnering with the private sector, cities can not only spur the growth of new markets, they can deliver even greater emissions reductions. Tackling climate change is an enormous business opportunity. The time has come for cities to seize it.” says Maia Kutner, head of cities at CDP.

Collaborative Climate Action – With a combined value of US$26 billion, 277 cities are seeking private sector involvement on 720 climate-related projects

Some cities have set themselves ambitious goals. By 2040, the city of Stockholm tries to be 100 percent fossil fuel-free. “Stockholm will not be able to meet these objectives on our own – and collaboration is at the center of our climate change strategy.” says the Mayor of Sweden’s capital, Karin Wanngård.

Change related projects - Collaborative climate action - CDP AECOM - sustainable cities — Comparing climate change-related projects - CLICK TO ENLARGE (CDP and AECOM)

By 2050, the Mayor of New York, City Bill de Blasio, aims to reduce citywide greenhouse gas emissions up to 80% below 2005 levels. Such a project would not be feasible without the help of so many partners and supporters. “Since 2007, 17 of New York City’s leading universities, 11 global companies, its 11 largest hospital organizations, and 18 residential management firms have accepted the NYC Carbon Challenge, pledging to voluntarily reduce their building-based emissions by 30% or more within 10 years.” the reports states. A good basis for developing towards a sustainable city.

Targets and involvement - Collaborative climate action - CDP AECOM - sustainable cities — Cities' ambitions - CLICK TO ENLARGE (CDP and AECOM)