Today, we...

1. Drew our exterior sketch
2. Finished building the infrastructure

Today, we...

1. Finalized our idea
2. Researched precedents and sources for information
3. Brainstormed our game plan for the next week
4. Made a Rhino file and laser-cutted a house outline we will use
5. Ordered materials for assembly (arriving tomorrow)

Research/Idea Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tS_moL11wLq0xZ3OCQW0xEWKmSRIzGhkKsLNmnBLKOE/edit?usp=sharing

Research:

“A beloved giant of the forest, this tree was once thought to be fireproof — and it’s easy to see why. Giant sequoia bark can get as much as three feet thick, completely sheltering the growing cambium layer of the tree from damage. Branches also begin high up on the trunk, preventing fire from moving up into the tree canopy. These traits were developed over thousands of years through repeated exposure to low-intensity fires. One additional fire-related trait is the tree’s cones. They open up when exposed to heat, allowing their seeds to sprout and take root on bare soil that has been cleared of needles and other organic material. Thick bark protects the inner layer of the tree that’s actively growing (known as cambium). High moisture content in the wood or leaves means they will not burn as intensely or as quickly.” 

https://www.arborday.org/perspectives/are-some-trees-fire-resistant-actually-yes#:~:text=Thick%20bark%20protects%20the%20inner,from%20climbing%20into%20the%20treetops.

“Some trees are more likely to survive because moist foliage will not burn until it is heated sufficiently to drive off the moisture. When the winds are moving fast often it is past the trees before they have dried sufficiently to ignite.”

“For objects like cars or houses to burn, they “must be exposed to a sufficient temperature for a sufficient duration” so that the materials chemically break down in a process known as thermal decomposition (here), Niamh Nic Daeid, Director of the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Dundee, said to Reuters. When this occurs, the materials “release gases which, when mixed with air, can ignite,” she added.”

“Dense tree trunks filled with water will not catch fire easily, JB Friday, Extension Forester at the University of Hawaii at Manoa said, with Christopher Baird, Associate Professor of Physics at West Texas A&M University, adding that water has a high heat capacity allowing it to absorb a lot of heat before increasing much in temperature (here).

Wildfires “tend to be most intense at ground level,” Baird said, where dry grass and shrubs known as “fine fuels” can burn easily (here), while trees with no low branches, such as palm trees, have their branches above the most intense parts of the fire.”

https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/standing-trees-after-la-fires-are-not-evidence-laser-attack-2025-01-14/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CTrees%20are%20more%20likely%20to,have%20dried%20sufficiently%20to%20ignite.%E2%80%9D

https://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/nature/giant-sequoias-and-fire.htm

Topic: Fire Safety

Idea: Giant Sequoia-inspired infrastructure

Problem: Fire burns and destroys infrastructure, causing casualties and huge economic losses. When inhaling smoke from wildfires, humans can experience serious cardiovascular issues, including heart attack or heart failure.

Solution: We are using the property of Giant Sequoia trees to make infrastructure fire-resistant (takes much longer time to burn, less likely to burn) and not release harmful gas when burned.

Properties Biomimicking: 

Giant Sequoia trees –

• Thick, fire-resistant bark that protects vital inner layers.

• High moisture content in wood, slowing combustion.

Design: 

Inner Core: Mimicking Giant Sequoia Bark

• Use a bark texture on wood to emulate the thick sequoia bark.

• Incorporate moisture-retaining gel layers to emulate high-moisture content of sequoia bark.

Self-Watering System:

• Install an automated watering system on the exterior that mimics natural moisture retention of sequoia wood.

• Use sensors to maintain consistent wood moisture levels and activate water sprinklers during high heat.

Rhino Files

Topic: Energy & Efficiency

Idea: Peregrine Falcon-Inspired Wind Turbine

Problem: We (me and Charlie) noticed that many small wind turbines are noisy and struggle at low wind speeds, making them less efficient and sometimes bothersome to nearby residents. They are not energy efficient. 

Solution: By designing turbine blades inspired by the streamlined, pointed wings of the peregrine falcon, we can reduce noise and start spinning at lower wind speeds. We can utilize nature’s aerodynamic designs to improve renewable energy technology. We can use lightweight, flexible materials that mimic the flexibility of peregrine falcon feathers. We can monitor wind patterns and adjust the blade angle for optimal performance, similar to how the falcon adjusts its wings during flight.

Idea: Starfish and Humpback Whale Fin-Inspired Tidal Turbine

Problem: We (me and Charlie) noticed that conventional tidal turbines lose efficiency in slower or changing ocean currents, wasting potential energy.

Solution: By mimicking the tubercle-like bumps on humpback whale fins, we can improve water flow over the turbine blades, increasing torque and boosting energy output even in low-flow conditions. In addition, by mimicking the adhesive starfish produces to stick to the ocean floor, we can prevent the tidal turbine from getting swept away by currents.