l i v i n g l i g h t process book 1
LIVING ENERGY by plants Graduation project by Ermi van Oers 3
Climate change and the growing scarcity of raw materials symbolise a need for urgent replacement systems and redefining our relationship with nature. I am fascinated by the fact that energy is hidden in places we are not aware of. I see my target as a designer to make this energy visible and inspire people with the potential power within natural processes in the next future systems. I want to show the beautiful poetic side of this living energy and make a new connection between human, nature and technique. With this fascination, I discovered plant microbial energy : Energy generated by bacteria in the soil and harvested by microbial fuel cells. - Ermi van Oers - 5
MICROBIAL ENERGY Microbial fuel cells are one of the renewable energy alternatives that generate electricity through the breakdown of organic matter to produce electrons. What if a household is supplied by energy from these ecosystems? Your power output will be connected to your toilet, bin and plants. 7
PLANT-E For my graduation project, I collaborate with Plant-e, a research group that is focussed on applying and developing the microbial fuel cell technology to living plants. 9
PLANT MICROBIAL FUEL CELL Plants use sunlight to photosynthesize, thus producing organic compounds. Part of these compounds is used by the plant to grow on and part is passively released or actively excreted via the roots into the soil. In the soil, naturally occurring bacteria break down the organic matter and release electrons and protons. The plant microbial fuel cell consists of an anode compartment made of a carbon electrode that captures these electrons. The electrons are transferred via a wire to the cathode. The flow of electrons through a wire enables to harvest this energy as electricity. The protons that were released at the anode side travel through a spacer towards the cathode. These protons together with the electrons and oxygen form water. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of plant microbial fuel cell. Figure 2 - Working mechanism of PMFC 11
TODAY S P-MFC POWER OUTPUT: POTENTIALS At the moment, the power output is quite low, but the plant microbial fuel cell is still in full development. Researchers expect the power output to increase and see a big potential in this renewable energy source; it is environmental friendly, clean, works during the whole day and reduces the greenhouse effect. 13
LIVING ENERGY Living energy, a not existing word yet, but I believe in a future where living energy will be our most important energy supply. With living energy, there arises a new connection between human, nature and technology. There arises a partnership between them. Ecosystems will take place inside and our house will work like a living organism that we need to take care of. It highlights our relationship to other life as an important factor to every individual s own survival. 15
DESIGN PROCESS the looks of living energy How does it get the shape it needs? How does it show it is alive? How can it visualise the magic that happens inside? 17
SKETCHES 19
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Imagine how we would take care of our lamps if they were actually alive. Light will change from something artificial in to something personal. 23
For me, the natural process of harvesting electrons through photosynthesis is so magical, something invisible becomes visible. That is why invisible structures in the plant light up by a breath of light and makes magical shadows which let you discover the beautiful shapes of this living organism. By a touch or a little water, it will light up, an artificial light switch becomes an emotional connection, a natural touch. It visualises that you need to care, give it love and attention, then you will receive its energy back. It is a living energy source and cannot produce constant energy, that is why the light breaths in and out. For me, this restriction is very poetic, the period of light depends on the well-being of the plant and is a reflection of your treatment. 25
THE MAKING OFF plant microbial fuel cell testing & building With Andrés Riestra Perna, nternee at Plant-e, Student MSc Urban Environmental Management. Set up microbial fuel cell research 27
mould making 29
glassblowing @ leerdam 31
ROOTS Roots are like a circuit, a transport network, it harvests nutrition from the ground and transports it back to the plant. This system is visualized in my design by the copper network. The copper wires transport the energy from the soil up to the LEDs. 33
THE SYSTEM 35
ELECTRONICS Many chips use unnecessary energy for applications we do not even use. This project is designed to be energy efficient as possible. It includes an Arduino which is totally stripped down to the bone, all the unnecessary things are taken away both hardware and software. Next to that the chip is even programmed to sleep when there is nobody around. Energy efficient LED Printed circuit board with ultra low-power boost converter and energy storage Arduino chip programmed with sleep-mode 37
DREAMS Imagine a park with breathing plants, imagine a grass field where you get followed by light sparkles, imagine that plants harvest and send data to your phone, imagine a house full of plants which provides for you living light. This is all already possible today and I want to make this dream come true. This product is the first step towards a future where plants will be part of our energy system and where technology and nature will merge. Now it is a little bit of electricity, but I assume that in ten years time, the technology is applicable in a commercially viable form. It will be normal to have all our lights working on microbial energy. We should keep dreaming and visualise our dreams to inspire others, to come closer to a more sustainable energy system. 39
SPECIAL THANKS The best part of this project was the collaboration with many specialists. Special thanks to: Andrés Riestra Perna, Pim de Jager & Daniel Groen, Plant-e Beam van Waardenberg, energy harvesting & electronics specialist Ian van Mourik, Industrial designer & electrician Marco van Noord, electronics specialist Mark Slegers, Blue City 010 Dana Cannam, designer Prof. Ioannis Ieropoulos, Bristol Bio Energy Centre Casper Borsje, PHD Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology 41
for more info: www.ermivanoers.nl 43