Moss Voltaics is a proposal for a green façade system that aims to explore how moss might be used as a source of renewable energy. The emerging technology to be used is called bio-photovoltaics (BPV), which uses the natural process of photosynthesis to generate electrical energy. In this process plants using light energy consume carbon dioxide and water from the environment to convert it into organic compounds. Some of those compounds are released through the roots to the soil where a symbiotic bacteria occurs. The bacteria break down the matter, liberating free electrons. By providing an electrode for the micro-organisms to donate their electrons to, electricity can be harvested.

The system is represented as a set of batteries. Each one is a modular ceramic brick that contains moss with its own microclimate. The moss is planted in a “soil” made of hydrogel and carbon fibers. The containers are designed to interlock without any need for mortar. Interlocking also enables electrical connections in one circuit, which generates 3V/20mA, enough to charge LED lighting.

Moss Voltaics is a Research Project developed by the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IaaC) at Open Thesis Fabrication 2014 by:

Researcher: Elena Mitrofanova
IAAC Faculty: Silvia Brandi, Alexandre Dubor, Luis Fraguada
Scientific development: Paolo Bombelli, University of Cambridge
Collaboration: Toni Cumella, Ceramica Cumella

Bacteria are beautiful and strange—and they’re also part of a revolution in sustainable advances across food science, energy, health, and materials. Usually when we think about bacteria it’s because we’re trying to get rid of them, but a growing number of scientists, engineers, and hobbyists are using them as a stepping stone for tomorrow’s innovations.

By learning genetic engineering and biotechnology hands-on from the comfort of home or the classroom, you, your family or your students can be leading innovators of the 21st century!

Bioengineering involves lab equipment, lab reagents, analysis and protocols to follow.  Amino One replaces traditional bulky multi-user lab equipment with self-contained desktop systems that take you from theory to practice in one week and comes with all the necessary instructions and ingredients.

With on-screen instructions that are easy to follow, Amino One allows users to go at their own pace and explore bioengineering in depth to create fun things like flavor, colors, scents, materials and more! Each Amino One will be able to run a series of different experiments—start with our first experiment: producing pigments that you can for drawing!