ENGAGED MATERIAL/
PHENOMENAL URBANISM





Urban Osmosis

Kyle Fish, Tia Thompson, Zophia Li

Addressing Extreme Urban Heat Via Diurnal Dehumidification/Evaporation Cycles Using Hydrogels.


AbstractWe address the intensifying Urban Heat Island Effect in East Harlem, where limited access to air conditioning and distant cooling centers leave vulnerable populations exposed to dangerous summer heat.

We hypothesize that a passive, non-mechanical cooling system can provide distributed thermal relief at the pedestrian scale if it couples desiccant-based moisture capture with controlled evaporative release. Our proposed material system consists of soft panels incorporating a hydrogel layer, encapsulated behind a vapor-permeable, liquid-waterblocking membrane. This configuration enables the hydrogel to adsorb ambient humidity and release it selectively for evaporation, thereby extracting latent heat from the panel surface and dissipating thermal energy to the surrounding air.

Deployed as a collection of athletics facilities, our material system aims to aleviate the effects of Urban Heat Island Effect while providing public spaces for East Harlem residents.

 Background Dehumidification T he process of removing water from the air. It creates more comfortable environments and reduces mold and mildew. This is done with refigerant cooling and desiccant systems.

Experiments Materials - Interior Hydrogel:
  • Made from synthesized monomers
  • Hydrogels absorb about 500 times their weight in water.
  • The porosity of hydrogels resembles living tissues
  • They are used in fields like medicine, cosmetics, and agriculture
  • Hydrogels also have responsive and self healing properties
 Activated Alumina:
  • A porous, highly adsorptive form of aluminum oxide
  • Very high surface area due to network of microscopic pores
  • High affinity for water vapor, commonly used in air and gas drying, water purification, and chemical processing
  • Non-toxic and food safe
 Silica Gel:
  • Porous form of silicon dioxide
  • Synthesized from sodium silicate
  • Granular structure provides fast adsorption and desorption cycle
  • Widely used in packaging, museums, and climate control to regulate humidity
  • Low-cost and readily available
Materials - Exterior Wood:
  • Wood is a strong lightweight material that helps
  • Provides structural support
  • It also has the ability to expand and contract as it gains and loses water
  • It will serve as a structural element in our material system
 Tyvek:
-Porous membrane
-Will protect desiccants from direct liquid-water exposure
-Allows moisture to escape as it evaporate
General Experiments
 Materials Used: Hydrogel + Activated Alumina

Observation: Temperature and humidity were
monitored using hygrometers.

Result: Humidity was successfully reduced by ~6%.
A slight increase in temperature (0.5°F).

Hydrogel Results:
Start: Temp = 78.5°F | Humidity = 82%
After: Temp = 78.5°F | Humidity = 76%

Activated Alumina Results:
Start: Temp = 78.5°F | Humidity = 82%
After: Temp = 77.1°F | Humidity = 77%

 

Sandwich Test
Materials: Hydrogel, Tyvek sheet, Wood,  Aluminum foil

Tests performed: Hydrogel glued to surfaces (wood, foil). Layers arranged to test humidity absorption and evaporation

Results:
Container before hydrogel and tyvek: 76.8 F - 70% Humidity
After: 77 F - 53.3% Humidity    
These results show the hydrogel is helping
absorb humdifity on move the area closer into
the comfort zone.

Evaporation Test

 Materials: Hydrogel, Tyvek
Test: The cooling effect of evaporation through
hydrogel

Observation:
Reduced temperature by 16 degrees.

Hydrogel:
Start: 93°F / 22% RH
After 45mins: 83°F / 28% RH
After 15hrs: 77.9°F / 23% RH

Result:
Humidity increased as evaporation started.
Temperature dropped 10 degrees

Material System Design/Development
Sketches

Final Prototype
General Program We are adopting our hydrogel material system by applying it to athletics and recreation, guaranteeing that citizens feel comfortable while playing sports and enjoying the outdoors.

  • Basketball Court Water Station
  • Park Audience Seating Areas
  • Outdoor Gym

Site Map & Analysis

EAST HARLEM, NEW YORK


INDIVIDUAL URBAN OSMOSIS PROJECTS

PROJECT TITLE
Kyle Fish
PROJECT TITLE
Tia Thompson
PROJECT TITLE
Zophia Li







































Darrick Borowski
Visiting Associate Professor

dborow64@pratt.edu
darrick@dba.nyc
718.399.4305

http://darrickborowski.com
http://are-a.net
http://materialphenomenal.com

IG:

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Urban Osmosis:
Hydrogel

 Zophia Li
Tia Thomspon
Kyle Fish