Background

As our planet warms, the demand for space cooling (air conditioning and refrigeration) will rise.

Because of the combination of population growth, rising incomes, falling equipment prices and urbanization, the number of air-conditioning units installed globally is set to jump from about 1.6 billion today to 5.6 billion by the middle of the century, according to the International Energy Agency.

Using and producing air conditioning equipment exacerbates climate change. The organic compound Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) is the primary refrigerant used in air conditioning and refrigeration units. HFCs are a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide and are leaked anywhere from manufacturing air conditioning equipment, to installation, to the disposal of old units. HFCs represent a small portion of total greenhouse gas emissions, but they trap thousands of times as much heat in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Additionally, air conditioning and refrigeration units run on electricity that relies primarily on fossil fuels to generate power.

Challenges faced and overcoming.

Biomimicryis an approach to innovation that seeks sustainable solutions to human challenges by emulating nature's time-tested patterns and strategies.

Inspired by leaf-cutting ants, we Took advantage of plants, wind and sun, and designed a gadget that will produce continuous bio-friendly air-conditioning. With the rose-shaped frailejón, the gadget, which will be installed on windows, will capture and direct the air to the room. By mimicking the process of evapotranspiration, we reduced the temperature of the air.

Evapotranspiration, Loss of water from the soil both by evaporation from the soil surface and by transpiration from the leaves of the plants growing on it.

In low air flow conditions, a solar powered fan will be activated.

To monitor and control the plant status, we will use smart irrigation system.

Spending too much time in an artificially air-conditioned environment can contribute to health problems such as asthma, tightness in the chest and other respiratory ailments.

On the other hand, Using fresh natural air :

-Helps improve blood pressure and heart rate.

-Strengthen immune system.

-Cleans lungs.

-Gives more energy and conscious mind.

Future plans:

We aim to customize the gadget to use it in cold weather for heating.

Our second plan is to redesign the fan using the concept flywheel to store rotational energy.

References:

-Bollazzi, M., Forti, L. C., & Roces, F. (2012). Ventilation of the giant nests of Atta leaf-cutting ants: does underground circulating air enter the fungus chambers? Insectes Sociaux, 59(4), 487–498. doi: 10.1007/s00040-012-0243-9

- Dovale, S. (2018). “Cooltiva, sustainable innovation in technologies for air conditioning.” Virtual Magazine Universidad Católica del Norte, (53), 18-34

-Ospina, C. (2018, August 7). “Cooling Your Home but Warming the Planet: How We Can Stop Air Conditioning from Worsening Climate Change”. Retrieved from shorturl.at/tvyF8

- North Carolina Climate Office. “Evapotranspiration”. Retrieved from shorturl.at/btNPQ

Software:

-AutoCad

-Sketchup

-Arduino IDE

-Sony Vegas

Flow Chart: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rz5cRqVkFJxBm7mGoSjlnpfCkpow3Z2a/view?fbclid=IwAR3DOmouJNJYxJb4vid4dz_8uM2tHEamzzaRGS_Da_B9F9WnEl-BY55xs1M