Mycoshield
Sarah Cawley, Brianna Martinez-Burns, Saahir LakhaniFiltration Of Air-borne Particulates Via Mycelium-Paneled Origami-Folded Surfaces/Structures.
AbstractEast Harlem experiences a disproportionate burden of environmental injustice. Climate related hazards such as air pollution from factories, power plants, and heavy traffic, hand in hand with noise pollution intensify the challenges faced by its residents. Abstract Pratt Institute SOA Material Phenomenology Pratt Institute SOA Material Phenomenology.
Our team hypothesizes that this project can aid to mitigate air pollution, including PM2.5 particles, as well as noise pollution at our proposed site between the FDR Drive and the Harlem River.
By leveraging mycelium, the project explores how this living material can be harnessed in multiple forms, pushing the boundaries of its properties and potential applications to purify our air
Background Air Pollution Toxic spread of air pollution are caused by stationary sources such as factories and power plants and also mobile like cars in trucks. East Harlem as of 2021 falls under the EJ neighborhoods for its exposure.1:4 children in East Harlem of low-income households suffer from asthma. Specifically within adults too, East Harlem has the highest percentage of adults with asthma in NYC being 26.2
Particle PM2.5
PM2.5, a fine particle matter, pollutes the air caused by urban activities such as driving. Most harmful pollutant and can be in solid or liquid form if airborne. Small enough to enter the bloodstream through the lungs. Once in the bloodstream PM2.5 can cause health problems to the respiratory and circulatory system. This lowers life expectancy contributing to 2,000 deaths per year.
Noise Pollution East Harlem statistically has the worst noise pollution in NYC. Exposure to it increases risk of heart attack, strokes, Dementia and hear loss. East Harlem specifically reaches an average of 56 decibels while the Upper West Side 50 decidable
Phenomena
Sound Absorbing sound from vehicles and such as automobiles emitted through the FDR highway and the public transportation train system.
Experiments Hypothesis
We hypothesize that through the relationship of density and porosity of myclieum, it consists the ability to regulate air quality through capturing and breaking down PM2.5 particles while also performing as an acoustic barrier to mitigation noise pollution
Mechanism - Myclieum Porosity of myclieum structures will capture the particulates, and break it down using its enzymes / bio-degradation. Density of the mycelium composite structure will be an acoustic absorber, diffuser and insulator.
Mold Test
PM2.5 Test
Colormetric Test
From this study we gathered that all three substrates were able to extract sulfate and nitrate, where hemp-bedding extract the most successfully.
Sound Test
Results
Overall Testing Conclusions From our tests, we can successfully state that Myclieum with the substrate of Hemp-bed consists of the most productive properties to capture and break down PM2.5 particles, specifically Sulfate and Nitrate, within which it consists.
We can also conclude that Myclieum possesses the tools to reduce noise from one source to another, thus proving our hypothesis.
We wish to explore further our wind study to rethink the growth pattern and/or cycle, considering the possibility of filtration, but has proven to both purify air and reduce noise.
Material System Design/Development
Fabrication Photos
Final Prototype
Community Outreach Life expectancy in East Harlem is only 76 due to the surrounding environmental factors, and the high poverty rate/systematic socioeconomic factors, while the average life expectancy in NYC is 80.
The air quality is a driving environmental factor of the lower life expectancy, with East Harlem having one of the highest asthma rates in all of NYC.
Many of the contributing bodies to air pollutants (FDR Drive, Department of Sanitation Garages, 2nd Avenue Subway construction, Metro-North Line Construction on Park Avenue).
Site Map & Analysis
EAST HARLEM, NEW YORK
INDIVIDUAL MYCOSHIELD PROJECTS
Visiting Associate Professor
dborow64@pratt.edu
darrick@dba.nyc
718.399.4305
http://darrickborowski.com
http://are-a.net
http://materialphenomenal.com
IG:
Mycellium
Sarah Cawley
Brianna Martinez-Burns
Saahir Lakhani
Algenosphere:
Algae
Aarav Schroff
Nicolas Gotzev
Mehek Usman
Terracotta
Brynn Lucky
Vaughn Carson
Olivia Su
Urban Osmosis:
Hydrogel
Zophia Li
Tia Thomspon
Kyle Fish