2009 Winning Essay
School: Bexley Middle School
City: Novo-Mondum
Team: Tom Krajnak,
Abby Sharp,
Wyatt Peery
Teacher: Peg Engelhardt
Engineer: Mark Sherman
Novo-Mondum
Novo-Mondum, near Reykjavik, Iceland, epitomizes ecological innovations. Geothermal energy and microbial fuel cells power the city, minimizing negative environmental impact. The infrastructure system supports the continuance and growth of the community, as exemplified in the Spindolas, the newest residential units, featuring innovative, on-site water treatment systems.
Constructed around cylindrical access columns housing each structure’s utility infrastructures, the Spindolas spiral counter-clockwise in a staircase-like pattern, providing an interlocking storm water collection/transference system for each structure. Rising 400 feet, with individual units at five-foot increments, the Spindolas feature three-story, 2,100 square feet of living space per unit—with customizable walls surrounding a central, monitoring hub. The modifiable layouts feature cooking, dining, bath and living areas on the first floor, sleeping quarters and baths on the second level, and utilities and recreation on the third.
Each unit’s energy supply emanates from microbial fuel cells within the water systems. Voltage meters monitor and regulate energy output—establishing efficient usage. If malfunctions occur, geothermal-powered steam turbines provide auxiliary power.
The water system utilizes transpiration. The water is circulated through wastewater—from all interior sources in each unit--collected in a three-level, 8 foot tank filled with microbial fuel cells. The fuel cells consist of charged Desulfitobacterium that generate energy from eating waste and transferring it to membranes. Desulfitobacterium consume human waste, larger solids and smaller particles by ingestion. Exterior water collection from run-off collects in v-traps, and is reconstituted through nanofiltration sieves. All treated water filters through consecutive monitoring systems which re-circulate the water to gray and potable tanks.
Gray water travels through a series of pipes that lead to the vertical farm levels atop the Spindolas. Individual Spindolas will need 1/15th of an acre of hydroponic farmland. A=amount of pods, and V=acres of vertical farm: V=A x 1/15. Gray water also is distributed to commodes, material washing stations, and landscape usage.
Treated water is used to hydroponically grow soybeans. The soybeans absorb the water pollutants and transpire potable water. Encased solar panels provide energy to maximize condensation in ceiling panels above the farm. Condensation collects in a tank below the farm levels. This water is distributed to each Spindola unit, for immediate use or storage in an auxiliary tank below the home. Collection drains also convert storm water into usable water by circulating it through the main system.
Potable water passes through further microbial filtration. Dual-controlled, sensor-monitored faucets maintain limited or extended flow—minimizing wasteful consumption. Condensation units—related to problematic past home air-control systems—are another efficient, ecologically sound water source. Nanofiltration units assure standards for potable consumption.
Teams of Novite engineers (chemical, mechanical and civil) monitor the Spindolas’ hydrosystems’ overall performance from a remote location—receiving data from photo-telemitters and activating nano-reparations. The chemical engineer supervises the Desulfitobacterium and the steel creating-solvents as well as researching the most energy efficient charge for the fuel cells. The mechanical engineer inspects and refits malfunctioning pipe and monitors failure mechanical malfunctions. The civil engineer is in charge of the structure of the building, monitoring wear on the transparent alumina and overall building stress reports. Each has the ability to activate backup systems in each living unit.
System malfunctions follow a three-step hierarchy of solutions. The first mandates locations of problems. The second alerts citizens in the units—activating photosensory-monitors. The color-coded system guides the residents to activate backups systems from the home terminal. The system shows which type of problem is occurring and the suggested option. Options may include flushing self-sealing agents through the system, circulating unclogging fluids, or dispatching the nano-reparation units to maintain optimal water standards. Third, the engineers’ station is contacted. Back up potable water tanks, located in the utility housing, provide emergency water supplies if system support is required.
Water supplies are periodically renewed. Every three months, the water from each home recirculates to an urban, metro-filtration station and into a reservoir. Clean water from a secondary reservoir is used to fuel the vertical farm, the central exterior collection and filtration site.
Novo-Mondum’s Spindolas stands as an example to the world of ecologically sound engineering design and aesthetic architecture. Novo-Mondum pledges continued research and progress. It promises—its citizens as well as the world’s—to protect, preserve and prosper.
Works Cited
"Accelerating Future; 10 Futuristic Materials." Accelerating Future. 26 Nov. 2008.
"Fuel Cell That Uses Bacteria To Generate Electricity." Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. 6 Dec. 2008.
"LF Special Report: 10 Futuristic Materials." Lifeboat Foundation: Safeguarding Humanity. 26 Nov. 2008.
"NAEP | Types of Engineering." Home | Native Access. 26 Nov. 2008.
"Simply Hydroponics - What is Hydroponics?." Simply Hydroponics. 26 Nov. 2008.
"Stardust | JPL | NASA." Stardust - NASA's Comet Sample Return Mission. 6 Dec. 2008.
"The Vertical Farm Project." Vertical Farms. 23 Nov. 2008.
