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This research explores the natural cooling mechanisms found in termite mounds to develop an innovative cooling system. By combining terracotta clay with triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) geometries, porous ceramics are fabricated using additive manufacturing, replicating the intricate structures found in nature.
TPMS geometries with high surface area are characterised by cellular patterns, and offer a diverse range of porosities for exploration and optimisation. The core concept involves utilising gentle airflow to create turbulence within the network of porous geometries.
Experimentation centres on manipulating ceramic porosity by exploring four distinct inherently cellular TPMS geometries — gyroid, Schwarz P (“primitive”), diamond, and split P. This exploration aims to generate diverse porosities essential for crafting an efficient cooling system.
Watering from above allows water to seep through the high-surface-area ceramics. Leveraging the hygroscopic nature of clay, which facilitates evaporative cooling, accompanied by amplified air flow, creates a cooling system on a small scale.
Scaling up could potentially transform it into a sophisticated cooling tower, applying the same principles on a larger scale for enhanced environmental impact and efficiency.