2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

This student-led project opened excellent research opportunities for community college first year and second year students, motivated retention, and prompted innovative teaching and studying. It also inspired more students to participate in academic research and aspire to higher levels of education, including master’s and doctorates in engineering.

As carbon emissions are at high levels, we need to think of ways to reduce contribution from our daily lives. We need to try to actively lower levels through innovation, and new ways of thinking. I propose we investigate the design of large structures. Instead of looking to keep them upright in the wind. I feel we could better benefit using the wind to our advantage. I feel with the implementation of bioreactors in design, we could potentially harness the wind that is usually pushing against the built structures and funnel it into bioreactors built into the structure. Allowing the introduction of fresh air to the building, and letting it pass through bioreactors to help remove CO2 from the air. With an added benefit of collecting the biomass to help off-set the use of fossil fuels by the structure itself.

We believe that if we capture the wind on the prevailing side forcing into piping or channels to the south side of the structure to allow for adequate capture of light to stimulate the bio reaction. With proper monitoring of the bioreactor using various sensors, the reactors could actively monitor and harvest the growth of algae. This could be removing excess buildup and deposit it for use in a fermenting tank to produce ethanol for the building energy needs, with the flue gasses being collected and introduced into the bioreactors.
This type of early research is a great opportunity for these students to practice team-work, group cooperation and communication skills. All of which are helpful and will prove important in their future professional careers and employment. This project brought the student participants together from different backgrounds, genders, and the various science and engineering disciplines to collaborate as a team. It made more understanding among the various participant, increased friendship and comradery.