living light
process book
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LIVING ENERGY
by plants
Graduation project by Ermi van Oers
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Climate change and the growing scarcity of raw
materials symbolise a need for urgent replacement
systems and redefining our relationship with
nature.
I am fascinated by the fact that energy is hidden
in places we are not aware of. I see my target as
a designer to make this energy visible and inspire
people with the potential power within natural
processes in the next future systems. I want to
show the beautiful poetic side of this ‘living
energy’ and make a new connection between
human, nature and technique.
With this fascination, I discovered ‘plant
microbial energy’: Energy generated by bacteria in
the soil and harvested by microbial fuel cells.
- Ermi van Oers -
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M IC ROB IA L E N E RG Y
Microbial fuel cells are one of the renewable energy
alternatives that generate electricity through the breakdown of
organic matter to produce electrons.
What if a household is supplied by energy from these
ecosystems? Your power output will be connected to your
toilet, bin and plants.
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P L A N T- E
For my graduation project, I collaborate
with Plant-e, a research group that is
focussed on applying and developing the
microbial fuel cell technology to living
plants.
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P L A N T M IC ROB IA L
FUEL CELL
Plants use sunlight to photosynthesize, thus
producing organic compounds. Part of these
compounds is used by the plant to grow on
and part is passively released or actively
excreted via the roots into the soil. In the
soil, naturally occurring bacteria break down
the organic matter and release electrons and
protons.
electrode that captures these electrons. The
electrons are transferred via a wire to the
cathode. The flow of electrons through a wire
enables to harvest this energy as electricity.
The protons that were released at the anode
side travel through a spacer towards the
cathode. These protons together with the
electrons and oxygen form water. Figure 2
shows a schematic representation of plant
The plant microbial fuel cell consists of
an anode compartment made of a carbon
microbial fuel cell.
Figure 2 - Working mechanism of PMFC
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T O D AY ’ S P- M F C P O W E R O U T P U T :
P O T E N T IA L S
At the moment, the power output is quite low, but the plant microbial fuel cell is still in full development.
Researchers expect the power output to increase and see a big potential in this renewable energy source; it is
environmental friendly, clean, works during the whole day and reduces the greenhouse effect.
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LIVING ENERGY
‘Living energy’, a not existing word yet, but I believe in a future
where living energy will be our most important energy supply.
With living energy, there arises a new connection between human,
nature and technology. There arises a partnership between them.
Ecosystems will take place inside and our house will work like
a living organism that we need to take care of. It highlights our
relationship to other life as an important factor to every individual’s
own survival.
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D E SIG N
PROCESS
the looks of liv ing
energ y
How does it get the shape it
needs? How does it show it is
alive? How can it visualise the
magic that happens inside?
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SK E T C H E S
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Imagine how we would take care of our
lamps if they were actually alive.
Light will change from something artificial
in to something personal.
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For me, the natural process of harvesting electrons
through photosynthesis is so magical, something
invisible becomes visible. That is why invisible
structures in the plant light up by a breath of light
and makes magical shadows which let you discover
the beautiful shapes of this living organism.
By a touch or a little water, it will light up, an
artificial light switch becomes an emotional
connection, a natural touch. It visualises that you
need to care, give it love and attention, then you will
receive its energy back.
It is a living energy source and cannot produce
constant energy, that is why the light breaths in
and out. For me, this restriction is very poetic, the
period of light depends on the well-being of the
plant and is a reflection of your treatment.
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THE MAKING OFF
plant microbial fuel cell
testing & building
With Andrés Riestra Perna, nternee at Plant-e, Student MSc
Urban Environmental Management.
Set up microbial fuel cell research
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mou l d m aki ng
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g l as sb l ow i ng @ l eerdam
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ROOTS
Roots are like a circuit, a transport network, it harvests
nutrition from the ground and transports it back to
the plant. This system is visualized in my design by the
copper network. The copper wires transport the energy
from the soil up to the LEDs.
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THE SYSTEM
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ELECTRONICS
Many chips use unnecessary energy for applications we do not even use.
This project is designed to be energy efficient as possible. It includes an
Arduino which is totally stripped down to the bone, all the unnecessary
things are taken away both hardware and software. Next to that the chip
is even programmed to sleep when there is nobody around.
Energy efficient LED
Printed circuit board with
ultra low-power boost converter and energy storage
Arduino chip programmed with sleep-mode
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DREAMS
Imagine a park with breathing plants, imagine a grass field where you get
followed by light sparkles, imagine that plants harvest and send data to
your phone, imagine a house full of plants which provides for you living
light. This is all already possible today and I want to make this dream
come true.
This product is the first step towards a future where plants will be part
of our energy system and where technology and nature will merge. Now
it is a little bit of electricity, but I assume that in ten years’ time, the
technology is applicable in a commercially viable form. It will be normal
to have all our lights working on microbial energy.
We should keep dreaming and visualise our dreams to inspire others, to
come closer to a more sustainable energy system.
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SP E C IA L T HA N K S
The best part of this project was the collaboration with many specialists.
Special thanks to:
Andrés Riestra Perna, Pim de Jager & Daniel Groen, Plant-e
Beam van Waardenberg, energy harvesting & electronics specialist
Ian van Mourik, Industrial designer & electrician
Marco van Noord, electronics specialist
Mark Slegers, Blue City 010
Dana Cannam, designer
Prof. Ioannis Ieropoulos, Bristol Bio Energy Centre
Casper Borsje, PHD Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology
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for more info:
w w w. e r m i v a n o e r s . n l
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