Living in the urban areas exposes you to not only air pollution but also noise pollution from the traffic.
Other than its negative impact toward the wildlife, traffic noise is also not pleasant to human ears.
Well, with the help of our advanced technology, a team has developed a system that turns irritating traffic noise into biofuel.
The system is called Algaewave. It uses passive noise to optimize biomass production, designed by product designer Felix Chen and his colleagues.
Essentially, the system captures and filters passive ambient noise into specific frequencies to boost microalgae growth.
The team behind Algaewave designed the system to increase microalgae growth rate and production efficiency. More specifically, growth rate in terms of biomass production.
While at the same time, it absorbs noise and purifies the polluted air.
But what does microalgae have to with all of this?
As we know, microalgae are organisms that can grow in aquatic environment, and they use both light and carbon to create biomass.
We can turn this biomass into different products like biofuel, and it can contribute positively to carbon neutrality goals.
The team chose to use microalgae in their developed system due to its speedy growth rate compared to traditional crops or micro-greens.
Chen’s research showed that noise could actually benefit plant life by enhancing microalgae yields.
The system is great to help green energy initiatives and noise pollution reduction strategies.
So… how does a noise-capture exactly work to boost microalgae growth by using urban noise?
It’s briefly mentioned above that the noise is tunneled into certain frequencies.
Chen explained that the team’s sound technology is crucial in converting wide-band noise into specific frequencies that help microalgae growth.
The team has designed a tweeter to capture noise and a specialized resonator shape cavity. This amplifies the frequencies and sends vibrations to the microalgae.
These frequencies will then induce mechanical stress on the microalgae cells. It’ll enhance plasma membrane traffic and increase cellular activity—and in the end, accelerate growth.
Questions and comparisons may arise, contesting Algaewave with other methods in microalgae cultivation. There are also concerns about environmental management.
Does it have any difference or plus point?
As mentioned, Algaewave utilizes passive methods. To be specific, it uses the vibration from city noise when it’s installed near urban spaces like motorway sides and facades.
This technology takes some of the limits when it comes to microalgae farming. Instead of doing it in new, large spaces, it only needs negative spaces within cities.
One of the main aims of the system is to harness the potential of urban negative space.
It’s an autonomous system that reduces costs while achieving higher yields. That is, when compared to existing algae cultivation systems.
In terms of numbers, the system can transform noise into an agent to raise biomass production by 30%. At the same time, it can cut costs by 27%.
Moreover, it has a modular design which offers seamless integration into existing photobioreactor systems. It promises a quick and flexible change.
Chen claims that Algaewave is efficient and inherently versatile, making it invaluable across industry sectors.
Since the system will help with sustainability goals, it represents an innovation that’s beneficial for the environment and the economy.
Speaking of versatility, Algaewave can be a potential system to boost biopharmaceuticals, biopolymers, and biofuels production.
For now, microalgae is only primarily used in producing supplements and superfoods. It’s driven by the high margins that those products offer.
According to Chen, there’s increasing production costs when it comes to microalgae.
Algae farms have been confined to large factories due to the high costs associated with space and maintenance.
While, as photosynthetic organisms, microalgae have great potential for the shift to a greener future.
Therefore, there’s a need to lower production costs, boost output, and increase the lipid content of the algae. This way, there will be more microalgae-based biofuels and biopolymers.
Chen stated that addressing the issue is what his team has been focusing on. They want to unlock the full potential of Algaewave, contributing to sustainable solutions.
Wasn’t always a smooth ride
When the team was developing Algaewave, they encountered several challenges. One that stood out was the sound module segment.
What’s difficult was experimenting with various technologies to focus and intensify the necessary sound frequencies.
Chen said, “This process required us to delve into acoustic lenses and mirrors. Addressing these challenges involved creating and testing numerous prototypes.”
“Through this iterative process, we identified an optimal shape that significantly enhanced sound efficiency. This shape also facilitated easy stacking, which was a crucial aspect of the design.”
After several trials, the team found that the solution was a stackable design. It led them to high efficiency in sound manipulation, and they could maintain a low-maintenance profile.
It was a combination of efficiency and practicality that became vital to the team’s success in overcoming the challenges.
What’ll be the future of Algaewave?
Algaewave sounds like it’s something that can revolutionize sustainability-focused sectors. Will there be collaborations to refine and enhance the system?
According to Chen, the team’s future plans will focus on microalgae farm owners and commercial entities.
“Partnering with microalgae farms is crucial to our advancement in research and the development of diverse algae varieties,” Chen said.
At the same time, the team is exploring possibilities to work together with architects and artists.
They have art installations and building facade projects in mind. It aligns with their plan of integrating Algaewave in public and visible places.
Implementing their modules on highways is still the focus, as it remains a challenging aspect of their expansion plan.
The team needs to navigate through complex safety certifications and diverse regional regulations to do it.
But, they remain persistent, as the team wants to broaden the impact and application of Algaewave in public infrastructure.
Long-term plan
Chen stated that the team’s vision for this project centers around creating a sustainable, self-sufficient ecosystem.
So, the important thing is to develop a closed-loop system. For instance, biopolymers made from their biomass production become materials to make new Algaewave modules.
This approach will significantly contribute to the scalable and sustainable expansion of the technology.
The team plans to start doing this closed-loop system on a smaller scale. They want to start with building facades and gradually progress to incorporating Algaewave to broader projects.
Chen explained, “This phased approach will allow us to refine and adapt our technology in various settings.
“We are also encouraged by the increasing trend of using microalgae as an alternative to traditional plants in numerous applications.
“This shift aligns perfectly with our vision, offering a promising avenue for Algaewave to evolve and become an integral part of various industries and infrastructures in the near future.”
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