Environmental Design + Construction - February 2009 - (Page 36)

STUDIO Gas Giant Don’t Replace It SaniGLAZE It by the mains supply. “Human Powered Energy” stickers were applied to the revolving door to make users aware of their contribution. The total amount of energy that is generated by the revolving door is accumulated and shown on a large display inside the building. Barring removal of the speed safety feature and having someone stand near the door cracking a whip to get patrons to move faster, a door like this isn’t going to provide energy for the entire building—just the lights for the door. However, it will help offset energy usage more than not having it would, and every little bit of energy savings counts. A calculation was made for this particular situation that indicated an energy savings of around 4,600 kWh per year—not because of the energy generated, but because the door also minimizes the transfer of heated/cooled air with the outside. Visit www.boonedam.us for more information. Gas Giant The Shimuzu Mega-City Pyramid is a proposed project designed to help alleviate Tokyo’s evergrowing problem with population. This project aims to place an entire city in one 3,000-foothigh structure smack in the middle of Tokyo Bay, complete with express transportation systems and everything. However, one of the many hurdles facing this project is how to power it. The answer, right now, is hydrogen fuel cells. You’re more than likely familiar with the notion of fuel cells. But did you know that scientists are dealing with the issue of where to get the hydrogen? While hydrogen is the universe’s most abundant element, most of the hydrogen on earth is tied up with another element—like forming water with oxygen—and separating hydrogen from its bonds with other elements isn’t easy…or cheap. Scientists are currently looking at using pond scum (more commonly known as algae) to naturally generate hydrogen. Certain types of algae emit an enzyme called hydrogenase that can create small amounts of hydrogen gas. The trick is to introduce this enzyme into the process of photosynthesis so as to generate as much, or almost as much, hydrogen as oxygen. Right now it’s something that can be done in laboratories on a small scale, but scientists hope the process will be able to be reproduced on a massive scale. Algae can grow in even the harshest conditions, like deserts and in areas where there’s a lot of waste. This makes researchers hopeful that if they can get algae to produce hydrogen, that it can be used for waste remediation while also producing energy for human use. Of course, the big problem with this is that the process itself hasn’t even been refined yet. Even if and when the process is refined, there’s still the issue of storage and transportation. Hydrogen in its natural state is combustible—very much so. As Have lunch on us! Call to schedule an AIA/CES approved presentation on “Understanding the Benefits of Ceramic Tile through Restorative Bonding”. (1 LU HSW credit) End ugly tile & grout with the power of the SaniGLAZE process. There is no reason to replace structurally sound tile just because it’s ﬁlthy and you can no longer clean it. With the sustainable SaniGLAZE restorative bonding technology, older tile that seems destined to the landﬁll can be transformed to beautiful new tile in just a few hours with no debris or construction headaches. And best of all, it will be very easy to maintain. www.saniglaze.com 1.866.362.9382 Reader Service No. 190 www.EDCmag.com/webcard 36 ed+c F E B R UA R Y 09 EDC02094Sani.indd 1 1/12/09 2:48:12 PM http://www.boonedam.us http://www.saniglaze.com http://www.EDCmag.com/webcard

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Environmental Design + Construction - February 2009

Environmental Design + Construction - February 2009 Contents WebTOC Editor's Note Newsline New + Notable Diamonds in the Rough Alternate Alternatives Case Study: Energy Goes to School Product Focus Marketplace + Classifieds Advertiser's Index Parting Shot

Environmental Design + Construction - February 2009

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