-Other big news came from MIT via this article describing their efforts perfecting vertical gardening.
If MIT sets its mind on creating a food producing green wall, the burgeoning vertical gardening movement could be turned upside down very quickly.
-A couple of years ago I wrote about Boston urban gardens wrestling with contamination and wondered if this could be problematic for other jurisdictions. It appears it is in New York too...or was...maybe???
OMAN-
The Agriculture and Fisheries Development Fund (AFDF) plans to
introduce an integrated system of aquaponics (agriculture and
aquaculture) throughout the country.
Introduced recently in a limited way as a pilot project, aquaponics has been found to be most suitable to Oman, Ahmed Shams al Siyabi, who heads the AFDF’s Technical Section, told the Observer.
Aquaponics is a system of aquaculture in which the waste produced by farmed fish or other aquatic animals supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which in turn purify the water.
Shedding light on AFDF’s future plans, Al Siyabi said the fund has a programme to cover more people for giving financial and advisory assistance, and to introduce new ideas and techniques in order to improve breeding, farm and fishing activities.
There is also a plan to provide better boats to fishermen so that they can have access to farther places in the sea. The AFDF gives partial and full funds to farmers, breeders, fishermen to start and expand their projects.
Al Siyabi said the Ministry of Finance gives around RO 3.5 million to the AFDF for extending free financial assistance to projects in agriculture, livestock and fisheries.
The projects are spread out from Musandam to Dhofar, including very remote and difficult places like Jabal Abiad in Sharqiyah, and Jabal Akhdhar in Dhakhiliyah. More funds will be available for people everywhere.
- See more at: http://www.thefishsite.com/fishnews/23148/aquaponics-to-boost-acquaculture-output-in-oman#sthash.TpzcXAPQ.dpuf
-After successful trials, government officials in Oman have announced a plan to subsidize aquaponics programs and production across the country. Introduced recently in a limited way as a pilot project, aquaponics has been found to be most suitable to Oman, Ahmed Shams al Siyabi, who heads the AFDF’s Technical Section, told the Observer.
Aquaponics is a system of aquaculture in which the waste produced by farmed fish or other aquatic animals supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which in turn purify the water.
Shedding light on AFDF’s future plans, Al Siyabi said the fund has a programme to cover more people for giving financial and advisory assistance, and to introduce new ideas and techniques in order to improve breeding, farm and fishing activities.
There is also a plan to provide better boats to fishermen so that they can have access to farther places in the sea. The AFDF gives partial and full funds to farmers, breeders, fishermen to start and expand their projects.
Al Siyabi said the Ministry of Finance gives around RO 3.5 million to the AFDF for extending free financial assistance to projects in agriculture, livestock and fisheries.
The projects are spread out from Musandam to Dhofar, including very remote and difficult places like Jabal Abiad in Sharqiyah, and Jabal Akhdhar in Dhakhiliyah. More funds will be available for people everywhere.
- See more at: http://www.thefishsite.com/fishnews/23148/aquaponics-to-boost-acquaculture-output-in-oman#sthash.TpzcXAPQ.dpuf
OMAN-
The Agriculture and Fisheries Development Fund (AFDF) plans to
introduce an integrated system of aquaponics (agriculture and
aquaculture) throughout the country.
Introduced recently in a limited way as a pilot project, aquaponics has been found to be most suitable to Oman, Ahmed Shams al Siyabi, who heads the AFDF’s Technical Section, told the Observer.
Aquaponics is a system of aquaculture in which the waste produced by farmed fish or other aquatic animals supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which in turn purify the water.
Shedding light on AFDF’s future plans, Al Siyabi said the fund has a programme to cover more people for giving financial and advisory assistance, and to introduce new ideas and techniques in order to improve breeding, farm and fishing activities.
There is also a plan to provide better boats to fishermen so that they can have access to farther places in the sea. The AFDF gives partial and full funds to farmers, breeders, fishermen to start and expand their projects.
Al Siyabi said the Ministry of Finance gives around RO 3.5 million to the AFDF for extending free financial assistance to projects in agriculture, livestock and fisheries.
The projects are spread out from Musandam to Dhofar, including very remote and difficult places like Jabal Abiad in Sharqiyah, and Jabal Akhdhar in Dhakhiliyah. More funds will be available for people everywhere.
- See more at: http://www.thefishsite.com/fishnews/23148/aquaponics-to-boost-acquaculture-output-in-oman#sthash.TpzcXAPQ.dpuf
Introduced recently in a limited way as a pilot project, aquaponics has been found to be most suitable to Oman, Ahmed Shams al Siyabi, who heads the AFDF’s Technical Section, told the Observer.
Aquaponics is a system of aquaculture in which the waste produced by farmed fish or other aquatic animals supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which in turn purify the water.
Shedding light on AFDF’s future plans, Al Siyabi said the fund has a programme to cover more people for giving financial and advisory assistance, and to introduce new ideas and techniques in order to improve breeding, farm and fishing activities.
There is also a plan to provide better boats to fishermen so that they can have access to farther places in the sea. The AFDF gives partial and full funds to farmers, breeders, fishermen to start and expand their projects.
Al Siyabi said the Ministry of Finance gives around RO 3.5 million to the AFDF for extending free financial assistance to projects in agriculture, livestock and fisheries.
The projects are spread out from Musandam to Dhofar, including very remote and difficult places like Jabal Abiad in Sharqiyah, and Jabal Akhdhar in Dhakhiliyah. More funds will be available for people everywhere.
- See more at: http://www.thefishsite.com/fishnews/23148/aquaponics-to-boost-acquaculture-output-in-oman#sthash.TpzcXAPQ.dpuf
-Guess where North America's first aquaponics restaurant is located? Portland! Here's a wild thought, in the future could we see very exotic (perhaps endangered in the wild) fish grown in house for very lucky and wealthy patrons?
oduced
recently in a limited way as a pilot project, aquaponics has been found
to be most suitable to Oman, Ahmed Shams al Siyabi, who heads the
AFDF’s Technical Section, told the Observer.
Aquaponics is a system of aquaculture in which the waste produced by farmed fish or other aquatic animals supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which in turn purify the water.
Shedding light on AFDF’s future plans, Al Siyabi said the fund has a programme to cover more people for giving financial and advisory assistance, and to introduce new ideas and techniques in order to improve breeding, farm and fishing activities.
There is also a plan to provide better boats to fishermen so that they can have access to farther places in the sea. The AFDF gives partial and full funds to farmers, breeders, fishermen to start and expand their projects.
- See more at: http://www.thefishsite.com/fishnews/23148/aquaponics-to-boost-acquaculture-output-in-oman#sthash.TpzcXAPQ.dpuf
Aquaponics is a system of aquaculture in which the waste produced by farmed fish or other aquatic animals supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which in turn purify the water.
Shedding light on AFDF’s future plans, Al Siyabi said the fund has a programme to cover more people for giving financial and advisory assistance, and to introduce new ideas and techniques in order to improve breeding, farm and fishing activities.
There is also a plan to provide better boats to fishermen so that they can have access to farther places in the sea. The AFDF gives partial and full funds to farmers, breeders, fishermen to start and expand their projects.
- See more at: http://www.thefishsite.com/fishnews/23148/aquaponics-to-boost-acquaculture-output-in-oman#sthash.TpzcXAPQ.dpuf
OMAN-
The Agriculture and Fisheries Development Fund (AFDF) plans to
introduce an integrated system of aquaponics (agriculture and
aquaculture) throughout the country.
Introduced recently in a limited way as a pilot project, aquaponics has been found to be most suitable to Oman, Ahmed Shams al Siyabi, who heads the AFDF’s Technical Section, told the Observer.
Aquaponics is a system of aquaculture in which the waste produced by farmed fish or other aquatic animals supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which in turn purify the water.
Shedding light on AFDF’s future plans, Al Siyabi said the fund has a programme to cover more people for giving financial and advisory assistance, and to introduce new ideas and techniques in order to improve breeding, farm and fishing activities.
There is also a plan to provide better boats to fishermen so that they can have access to farther places in the sea. The AFDF gives partial and full funds to farmers, breeders, fishermen to start and expand their projects.
Al Siyabi said the Ministry of Finance gives around RO 3.5 million to the AFDF for extending free financial assistance to projects in agriculture, livestock and fisheries.
The projects are spread out from Musandam to Dhofar, including very remote and difficult places like Jabal Abiad in Sharqiyah, and Jabal Akhdhar in Dhakhiliyah. More funds will be available for people everywhere.
In these endeavours, AFDF seeks cooperation from various foreign bodies such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which provides technical cooperation, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), some agencies in Jordan, Morocco, and other countries.
A report released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries last year shows that fish and agricultural production in 2012 increased to RO 462 million in comparison with RO 362.2 million recorded in 2009, as the annual growth average recorded in 2009-2013 was 8.5 per cent and the value of the agricultural production has steadily increased.
Fish production increased from RO 110,700 in 2009 to 142,000 in 2012, which marks a promising growth in the value of production of key sectors. The study indicated that the agricultural sector is a cornerstone of agricultural development and its contribution is significant in increasing the GDP and employment, as the sector has seen a significant increase in the rate of self-sufficiency in agricultural products.
- See more at: http://www.thefishsite.com/fishnews/23148/aquaponics-to-boost-acquaculture-output-in-oman#sthash.TpzcXAPQ.dpuf
Introduced recently in a limited way as a pilot project, aquaponics has been found to be most suitable to Oman, Ahmed Shams al Siyabi, who heads the AFDF’s Technical Section, told the Observer.
Aquaponics is a system of aquaculture in which the waste produced by farmed fish or other aquatic animals supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which in turn purify the water.
Shedding light on AFDF’s future plans, Al Siyabi said the fund has a programme to cover more people for giving financial and advisory assistance, and to introduce new ideas and techniques in order to improve breeding, farm and fishing activities.
There is also a plan to provide better boats to fishermen so that they can have access to farther places in the sea. The AFDF gives partial and full funds to farmers, breeders, fishermen to start and expand their projects.
Al Siyabi said the Ministry of Finance gives around RO 3.5 million to the AFDF for extending free financial assistance to projects in agriculture, livestock and fisheries.
The projects are spread out from Musandam to Dhofar, including very remote and difficult places like Jabal Abiad in Sharqiyah, and Jabal Akhdhar in Dhakhiliyah. More funds will be available for people everywhere.
In these endeavours, AFDF seeks cooperation from various foreign bodies such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which provides technical cooperation, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), some agencies in Jordan, Morocco, and other countries.
A report released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries last year shows that fish and agricultural production in 2012 increased to RO 462 million in comparison with RO 362.2 million recorded in 2009, as the annual growth average recorded in 2009-2013 was 8.5 per cent and the value of the agricultural production has steadily increased.
Fish production increased from RO 110,700 in 2009 to 142,000 in 2012, which marks a promising growth in the value of production of key sectors. The study indicated that the agricultural sector is a cornerstone of agricultural development and its contribution is significant in increasing the GDP and employment, as the sector has seen a significant increase in the rate of self-sufficiency in agricultural products.
- See more at: http://www.thefishsite.com/fishnews/23148/aquaponics-to-boost-acquaculture-output-in-oman#sthash.TpzcXAPQ.dpuf
OMAN-
The Agriculture and Fisheries Development Fund (AFDF) plans to
introduce an integrated system of aquaponics (agriculture and
aquaculture) throughout the country.
Introduced recently in a limited way as a pilot project, aquaponics has been found to be most suitable to Oman, Ahmed Shams al Siyabi, who heads the AFDF’s Technical Section, told the Observer.
Aquaponics is a system of aquaculture in which the waste produced by farmed fish or other aquatic animals supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which in turn purify the water.
Shedding light on AFDF’s future plans, Al Siyabi said the fund has a programme to cover more people for giving financial and advisory assistance, and to introduce new ideas and techniques in order to improve breeding, farm and fishing activities.
There is also a plan to provide better boats to fishermen so that they can have access to farther places in the sea. The AFDF gives partial and full funds to farmers, breeders, fishermen to start and expand their projects.
Al Siyabi said the Ministry of Finance gives around RO 3.5 million to the AFDF for extending free financial assistance to projects in agriculture, livestock and fisheries.
The projects are spread out from Musandam to Dhofar, including very remote and difficult places like Jabal Abiad in Sharqiyah, and Jabal Akhdhar in Dhakhiliyah. More funds will be available for people everywhere.
In these endeavours, AFDF seeks cooperation from various foreign bodies such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which provides technical cooperation, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), some agencies in Jordan, Morocco, and other countries.
A report released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries last year shows that fish and agricultural production in 2012 increased to RO 462 million in comparison with RO 362.2 million recorded in 2009, as the annual growth average recorded in 2009-2013 was 8.5 per cent and the value of the agricultural production has steadily increased.
Fish production increased from RO 110,700 in 2009 to 142,000 in 2012, which marks a promising growth in the value of production of key sectors. The study indicated that the agricultural sector is a cornerstone of agricultural development and its contribution is significant in increasing the GDP and employment, as the sector has seen a significant increase in the rate of self-sufficiency in agricultural products.
- See more at: http://www.thefishsite.com/fishnews/23148/aquaponics-to-boost-acquaculture-output-in-oman#sthash.TpzcXAPQ.dpuf
Introduced recently in a limited way as a pilot project, aquaponics has been found to be most suitable to Oman, Ahmed Shams al Siyabi, who heads the AFDF’s Technical Section, told the Observer.
Aquaponics is a system of aquaculture in which the waste produced by farmed fish or other aquatic animals supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which in turn purify the water.
Shedding light on AFDF’s future plans, Al Siyabi said the fund has a programme to cover more people for giving financial and advisory assistance, and to introduce new ideas and techniques in order to improve breeding, farm and fishing activities.
There is also a plan to provide better boats to fishermen so that they can have access to farther places in the sea. The AFDF gives partial and full funds to farmers, breeders, fishermen to start and expand their projects.
Al Siyabi said the Ministry of Finance gives around RO 3.5 million to the AFDF for extending free financial assistance to projects in agriculture, livestock and fisheries.
The projects are spread out from Musandam to Dhofar, including very remote and difficult places like Jabal Abiad in Sharqiyah, and Jabal Akhdhar in Dhakhiliyah. More funds will be available for people everywhere.
In these endeavours, AFDF seeks cooperation from various foreign bodies such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which provides technical cooperation, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), some agencies in Jordan, Morocco, and other countries.
A report released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries last year shows that fish and agricultural production in 2012 increased to RO 462 million in comparison with RO 362.2 million recorded in 2009, as the annual growth average recorded in 2009-2013 was 8.5 per cent and the value of the agricultural production has steadily increased.
Fish production increased from RO 110,700 in 2009 to 142,000 in 2012, which marks a promising growth in the value of production of key sectors. The study indicated that the agricultural sector is a cornerstone of agricultural development and its contribution is significant in increasing the GDP and employment, as the sector has seen a significant increase in the rate of self-sufficiency in agricultural products.
- See more at: http://www.thefishsite.com/fishnews/23148/aquaponics-to-boost-acquaculture-output-in-oman#sthash.TpzcXAPQ.dpuf
Researchers
from the School of Architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
working at the Institute’s Center for Architecture Science and Ecology
(CASE) in New York City have spent the past several years researching
ways to harness plants’ natural abilities to filter toxins out of the
air into an application that could be used in indoor spaces like office
buildings.
On Monday, May 12, those researchers will unveil the first public-scale
prototype of their green wall. Two panels of plants, each 6 feet long
and 7 feet tall and containing about 30 densely packed plants, will hang
on a wall in the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies
(CBIS) building on the Rensselaer campus.
“The work that will be unveiled at CBIS is the result of years of
interdisciplinary research at CASE spanning the fields of environmental
and mechanical engineering, biology, and architectural sciences. We have
recently expanded the team to include collaborators from the Rensselaer
Smart Lighting Research Center and the departments of chemistry and
chemical engineering. The technologies CASE researchers are developing,
like this green wall, have the potential to revolutionize our ability to
deliver clean air to urban populations, and reduce the carbon footprint
of cities and buildings, by reducing the fossil fuel consumption of the
heating, cooling, and ventilation systems,” said Anna Dyson, director
of CASE.
CBIS is supporting the installation as part of an ongoing interest in
expanding the boundaries of biotechnology research – beyond the core
disciplines of science and engineering – to include interdisciplinary
projects in architecture, humanities, arts and social sciences, and
management.
“We are very pleased to host the first public-scale prototype of this
technology in CBIS,” said Deepak Vashishth, director of CBIS. “Our
partnership with CASE is one example of the broad spectrum of research
we are developing. As our efforts mature, we expect to draw many more
partners under our roof, and realize the vision of CBIS as a true campus
hub of research. ”
The concept of bringing the outdoors inside buildings isn’t a new one in
architecture, but what makes this green wall prototype different is the
way air is pulled through the plants to maximize the amount of airborne
toxins filtered out.
“This particular green wall takes a step beyond previous green walls in
that it seeks to improve air quality by amplifying the air filtration
that naturally occurs in plants,” said Matt Gindlesparger a lecturer at
CASE who has led the research and prototyping of the green wall.
Removing toxins from the air is an increasingly important area of
research, Gindlesparger said, because nearly every material used in
building construction – including paint and carpeting – involves
synthetic finishes that contain, and slowly release, volatile organic
compounds, or VOCs. By harnessing the power of plants, the effects of
those VOCs can be mitigated.
Gindlesparger said CBIS was a natural choice as a venue to showcase the
green wall prototype: “CBIS is uniquely situated as part of the larger
research culture of the Rensselaer campus and so this is a strategic
alliance of the work we’re doing at CASE and the School of Architecture
and the larger Institute.”
- See more at:
http://news.rpi.edu/content/2014/05/09/researchers-unveil-green-wall-prototype#sthash.w9iD2PtB.dpuf
Researchers
from the School of Architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
working at the Institute’s Center for Architecture Science and Ecology
(CASE) in New York City have spent the past several years researching
ways to harness plants’ natural abilities to filter toxins out of the
air into an application that could be used in indoor spaces like office
buildings.
On Monday, May 12, those researchers will unveil the first public-scale
prototype of their green wall. Two panels of plants, each 6 feet long
and 7 feet tall and containing about 30 densely packed plants, will hang
on a wall in the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies
(CBIS) building on the Rensselaer campus.
“The work that will be unveiled at CBIS is the result of years of
interdisciplinary research at CASE spanning the fields of environmental
and mechanical engineering, biology, and architectural sciences. We have
recently expanded the team to include collaborators from the Rensselaer
Smart Lighting Research Center and the departments of chemistry and
chemical engineering. The technologies CASE researchers are developing,
like this green wall, have the potential to revolutionize our ability to
deliver clean air to urban populations, and reduce the carbon footprint
of cities and buildings, by reducing the fossil fuel consumption of the
heating, cooling, and ventilation systems,” said Anna Dyson, director
of CASE.
CBIS is supporting the installation as part of an ongoing interest in
expanding the boundaries of biotechnology research – beyond the core
disciplines of science and engineering – to include interdisciplinary
projects in architecture, humanities, arts and social sciences, and
management.
“We are very pleased to host the first public-scale prototype of this
technology in CBIS,” said Deepak Vashishth, director of CBIS. “Our
partnership with CASE is one example of the broad spectrum of research
we are developing. As our efforts mature, we expect to draw many more
partners under our roof, and realize the vision of CBIS as a true campus
hub of research. ”
The concept of bringing the outdoors inside buildings isn’t a new one in
architecture, but what makes this green wall prototype different is the
way air is pulled through the plants to maximize the amount of airborne
toxins filtered out.
“This particular green wall takes a step beyond previous green walls in
that it seeks to improve air quality by amplifying the air filtration
that naturally occurs in plants,” said Matt Gindlesparger a lecturer at
CASE who has led the research and prototyping of the green wall.
Removing toxins from the air is an increasingly important area of
research, Gindlesparger said, because nearly every material used in
building construction – including paint and carpeting – involves
synthetic finishes that contain, and slowly release, volatile organic
compounds, or VOCs. By harnessing the power of plants, the effects of
those VOCs can be mitigated.
Gindlesparger said CBIS was a natural choice as a venue to showcase the
green wall prototype: “CBIS is uniquely situated as part of the larger
research culture of the Rensselaer campus and so this is a strategic
alliance of the work we’re doing at CASE and the School of Architecture
and the larger Institute.”
- See more at:
http://news.rpi.edu/content/2014/05/09/researchers-unveil-green-wall-prototype#sthash.w9iD2PtB.dpuf
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Researchers To Unveil Green Wall Prototype
Plant-Filled Wall Panels Filter Impurities From the Air, School of Architecture Researchers Find
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May 9, 2014
Researchers from the School of Architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute working at the Institute’s Center for Architecture Science and Ecology (CASE) in New York City have spent the past several years researching ways to harness plants’ natural abilities to filter toxins out of the air into an application that could be used in indoor spaces like office buildings.
On Monday, May 12, those researchers will unveil the first public-scale prototype of their green wall. Two panels of plants, each 6 feet long and 7 feet tall and containing about 30 densely packed plants, will hang on a wall in the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies (CBIS) building on the Rensselaer campus.
“The work that will be unveiled at CBIS is the result of years of interdisciplinary research at CASE spanning the fields of environmental and mechanical engineering, biology, and architectural sciences. We have recently expanded the team to include collaborators from the Rensselaer Smart Lighting Research Center and the departments of chemistry and chemical engineering. The technologies CASE researchers are developing, like this green wall, have the potential to revolutionize our ability to deliver clean air to urban populations, and reduce the carbon footprint of cities and buildings, by reducing the fossil fuel consumption of the heating, cooling, and ventilation systems,” said Anna Dyson, director of CASE.
CBIS is supporting the installation as part of an ongoing interest in expanding the boundaries of biotechnology research – beyond the core disciplines of science and engineering – to include interdisciplinary projects in architecture, humanities, arts and social sciences, and management.
“We are very pleased to host the first public-scale prototype of this technology in CBIS,” said Deepak Vashishth, director of CBIS. “Our partnership with CASE is one example of the broad spectrum of research we are developing. As our efforts mature, we expect to draw many more partners under our roof, and realize the vision of CBIS as a true campus hub of research. ”
The concept of bringing the outdoors inside buildings isn’t a new one in architecture, but what makes this green wall prototype different is the way air is pulled through the plants to maximize the amount of airborne toxins filtered out.
“This particular green wall takes a step beyond previous green walls in that it seeks to improve air quality by amplifying the air filtration that naturally occurs in plants,” said Matt Gindlesparger a lecturer at CASE who has led the research and prototyping of the green wall.
Removing toxins from the air is an increasingly important area of research, Gindlesparger said, because nearly every material used in building construction – including paint and carpeting – involves synthetic finishes that contain, and slowly release, volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. By harnessing the power of plants, the effects of those VOCs can be mitigated.
Gindlesparger said CBIS was a natural choice as a venue to showcase the green wall prototype: “CBIS is uniquely situated as part of the larger research culture of the Rensselaer campus and so this is a strategic alliance of the work we’re doing at CASE and the School of Architecture and the larger Institute.”
The prototype green wall is designed to be mobile so research on its effects can be conducted in different settings. The two panels can be coupled or de-coupled and moved into different environments within the building; they will initially be connected directly to the plumbing at CBIS, but the system is also designed with a water tank so it can operate without being directly connected to plumbing.
The green wall will be unveiled at 2 p.m. Monday, May 12, in the atrium of the CBIS building.
Researchers from the School of Architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute working at the Institute’s Center for Architecture Science and Ecology (CASE) in New York City have spent the past several years researching ways to harness plants’ natural abilities to filter toxins out of the air into an application that could be used in indoor spaces like office buildings.
On Monday, May 12, those researchers will unveil the first public-scale prototype of their green wall. Two panels of plants, each 6 feet long and 7 feet tall and containing about 30 densely packed plants, will hang on a wall in the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies (CBIS) building on the Rensselaer campus.
“The work that will be unveiled at CBIS is the result of years of interdisciplinary research at CASE spanning the fields of environmental and mechanical engineering, biology, and architectural sciences. We have recently expanded the team to include collaborators from the Rensselaer Smart Lighting Research Center and the departments of chemistry and chemical engineering. The technologies CASE researchers are developing, like this green wall, have the potential to revolutionize our ability to deliver clean air to urban populations, and reduce the carbon footprint of cities and buildings, by reducing the fossil fuel consumption of the heating, cooling, and ventilation systems,” said Anna Dyson, director of CASE.
CBIS is supporting the installation as part of an ongoing interest in expanding the boundaries of biotechnology research – beyond the core disciplines of science and engineering – to include interdisciplinary projects in architecture, humanities, arts and social sciences, and management.
“We are very pleased to host the first public-scale prototype of this technology in CBIS,” said Deepak Vashishth, director of CBIS. “Our partnership with CASE is one example of the broad spectrum of research we are developing. As our efforts mature, we expect to draw many more partners under our roof, and realize the vision of CBIS as a true campus hub of research. ”
The concept of bringing the outdoors inside buildings isn’t a new one in architecture, but what makes this green wall prototype different is the way air is pulled through the plants to maximize the amount of airborne toxins filtered out.
“This particular green wall takes a step beyond previous green walls in that it seeks to improve air quality by amplifying the air filtration that naturally occurs in plants,” said Matt Gindlesparger a lecturer at CASE who has led the research and prototyping of the green wall.
Removing toxins from the air is an increasingly important area of research, Gindlesparger said, because nearly every material used in building construction – including paint and carpeting – involves synthetic finishes that contain, and slowly release, volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. By harnessing the power of plants, the effects of those VOCs can be mitigated.
Gindlesparger said CBIS was a natural choice as a venue to showcase the green wall prototype: “CBIS is uniquely situated as part of the larger research culture of the Rensselaer campus and so this is a strategic alliance of the work we’re doing at CASE and the School of Architecture and the larger Institute.”
The prototype green wall is designed to be mobile so research on its effects can be conducted in different settings. The two panels can be coupled or de-coupled and moved into different environments within the building; they will initially be connected directly to the plumbing at CBIS, but the system is also designed with a water tank so it can operate without being directly connected to plumbing.
The green wall will be unveiled at 2 p.m. Monday, May 12, in the atrium of the CBIS building.
Contact: Emily Donohue
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