Brand new bold projects / Old nature engineering

  Silver Plank Logis Incorporated and ODIG Consultancy & Services LLC signed their Partnership on late August this year. The partnership activities search for the higher quality and the most efficient way of implementation and development of the activity regarding:

• technological part design;
• adaptation and installation of space-making devices;
• selection, testing and supply of materials for the manufacture of composite and metallic components;
• making scale models for aircraft and modular building structures;
• making scale models of the whole (vehicles, constructions and layouts) for marketing purposes; as well as
• the training and qualification activities of the specialized personnel who will install, uninstall and maintain the devices and various machines for the manufacture of components from composite and metallic materials, as well as the manufacture of components for assembly;
• design, fabrication and install of robotized production lines and systems for manufacturing on scale for market requirements for the products as per the prototypes realized on the clients demand.

The Partnership Agreement is based on the capabilities of each partner to appropriately distribute resources, risks and benefits.

After a thorough dialogue on-line, this October occurred the best instance to meet in person with Emil Pop. He is a proofed technology thinker and he applies his uncommon ideas to all clients' demands. Our consultation concluded towards the two directions on which ODIG sees business development niches: a) ultralight medium and short range aircrafts, also site operations; and b) parts of light structure for both disaster relief and new/next technology.

As previously discussed on this blog, additive manufacturing is the key technology for reducing volumes of installations and facilities on aircraft board and on static structures. It provides the means to integrate within both structures the micro and nano devices. Among of the obvious advantages are a reasonable position through the whole structure for a better facility coverage and an equal distribution of weight. It also provides better protection conditions and a lower conventional power supply need.

The most audacious project that Emil proposed has been discussed with several beneficiaries and investors, as a solution for both energy production and desalination of sea water for human use.

The Condense Passive Desalination Tower is giant erected structure which makes available a concentrated human habitat developed on vertical dimension. The principle relies on gas thermal exchanges as the maritime environment vapors are brought at the interior chimney cool walls. With a height of 330 meters on a base diameter of 300 meters, 30 meters clearance above the conventional local water level and a top diameter of 30 meters, the chimney uses the pressure difference between the suction base admission and the exhausting top end.

This is only one example of how humans could learn from nature and other species. Our project consists of a transmutation from complex structures of termite mounds, which maintain a constant temperature inside, regardless of the external climatic conditions, towards humanly used facilities.

How does this natural cooling system work? To better understand, let’s look at some sketches that illustrate the basic principles:

Schematic representation of a termite mound, 

The ventilation system with air intake and outlet points Tunnels and chambers: The mound is a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers that allow air to circulate. These passages are strategically designed to maximize ventilation and maintain an optimal temperature. Vents: At the base of the mound, there are vents that allow fresh air to enter. This air heats up as it circulates through the tunnels and chambers, and is then exhausted through openings located at the top of the mound.

Cross section of a termite mound, showing the air flow through the tunnels

Convection: The basic principle of ventilation in termite mounds is convection. Warm air, being less dense, tends to rise, while cold, denser air, descends. This phenomenon creates air currents that ensure constant ventilation. Thermoregulation: Termites have the ability to regulate the temperature inside the mound by opening and closing ventilation holes. On hot days, they widen these holes to allow warm air to escape and cool the interior. In winter, they close them to retain heat.

Comparison between a traditional building and a building inspired by termite mound ventilation

Why is this ventilation system important?

Maintaining a constant temperature: A constant temperature inside the nest is essential for termites to survive and for the colony to grow.

Protecting mushroom crops: Termites grow mushrooms for food, and these mushrooms require a constant temperature and humidity to thrive.

Removing carbon dioxide: The ventilation system ensures that the carbon dioxide produced by the termites during respiration is removed and fresh oxygen is brought in.

Inspiration for architecture

The complex structure and efficiency of the ventilation system of termite mounds have inspired architects to develop more energy-efficient buildings. For example, the Eastgate Centre in Zimbabwe is an office building modeled after termite mounds, using a natural ventilation system that significantly reduces energy consumption. In conclusion, the ventilation system of termite mounds is an amazing example of natural engineering. These tiny insects show us how much we can learn from nature and how we can apply this knowledge to create a more sustainable future.

Coming back to our CPDT project, the chimney is surrounded circular sheets for stability reasons. Dimensions of these washers/hangers allow useful areas at each level, offering room for logement, installations and production spaces. The main challenge that confronts structural designers is the range of specific requirement to be observed:

• erections higher than 100 meters from ground are exposed to supplemental loading efforts coming from: a) thermal day-night gradient among sunny and shaded faces, which renders them in the range of delicate structures; and b) there have been noticed the inertial binding of svelte structures in the opposite direction against Earth's rotation movement sense;
• the overall tower dimensions drive towards a super overload of the structure, sending the design calculus towards the built foundations and geological/water conditions extra support means, which requires genuine research programs.

Surrounded by this circle of restrictions, the owner/beneficiary would have to grant a larger approach concerning the light weight raw materials to be used within the erection, local geological and weather cycles, the altogether ways to ensure the coherence and safe use of the structure.

Last but not least, the machinery tools for such an uncommonly narrowed operation site should be able to transport and operate along a predominant vertical direction.

Thank you for your patience as you reached the end of this reading and please feel free to join us in our forwarding strive to combine concepts like useful, pleasant and safe for us, the people.