Shape Memory Alloys

Smart Wall


I am researching sustainability in the studio that I am taking and have been looking at sustainability techniques that are both passive and active.  And to integrate an SMA could bring a new level of sustainability to it.

 

One thing that Sustainability is concerned with(LEED) is light and heat and the ability of the sun to provide both of those. If I could Make a wall that would react to where the sun is or how the sun is acting and have it power itself I could have the building be involved with its own sustainability.


Passive Solar Design

A passive solar Design tries to keep the comfort level of the building by taking into account the angle of the sun and the relative climate outside and keeping that in the green without having to use an active system.


Wall


because the Nitnol requires heat in order for it to work and no heat that it could get from the sun itself or at least during the winter it doesn't get warm enough to power itself it will need some kind of external power source in order for it to work. If I were to integrate some sort of photovoltaic into it so that will be able to generate a small amount of electricity in order for it to power itself.

The nitnol would use this power to move a series of vertical louvers on the building which will give the building a dynamic envelope. This dynamic envelope will be active during the day and stay closed during the night. This will give the system an added benefit of privacy during the night.  The louvers will be active in the day and react to the sun.




Structure

I have chosen to use a structural system by Novum that uses a series of cables to hold up a glazing system. If I can retrofit this system to the building the wall system will become very light and allow for a different level of movement.