A research collaboration between a recent MME PhD graduate and the Director of the School of Architecture has investigated the use of microalgae and machine learning to create an energy source from the walls of regular office buildings.
This is possible in buildings with double-skin façades that have two layers of glass walls with a cavity between them. In the walls, a photobioreactor is housed that grows microalgae to absorb energy from sunlight. This has the additional perk of providing indoor shade for thermal insulation.
PhD graduate Adham Elmalky and architecture director Dr. Mohamad Araji studied the geometrics of building glass walls, basing their research on curved and flat surfaces to ensure that the photobioreactor operated efficiently. The results from their study showed that the biomass of the microalgae grew by 80 per cent, which helps make a building more energy efficient.
This approach to renewable energy is welcomed in cold countries like Canada because it helps cut down on fuel use to stay warm. The pair plans to continue to engage with other research teams and the renewable energy industry to advance the photobioreactor’s design.
Head over to If these walls could…generate energy? to read more about the research.