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Leaf-inspired Design for Heat and Vapor Exchange

Rupp, Ariana I.K.S.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron15929515707363

Abstract Details

2020, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Integrated Bioscience.
Interfaces for air-mediated and evaporative transfer help process heat and substances in a variety of technical systems, from electronic to architectural. Because geometry affects the hydraulics, aerodynamic properties and thermal behavior of these devices, their performance can be tuned and passively enhanced through design. For biological interfaces such as plant leaves, geometry is also a determining factor in the exchange of gases, water management and thermal endurance against environmental exposures. Leaf shape, specifically, modulates the leaf’s boundary layer, transpiration, evaporative cooling and convective exchange. In this body of work, design principles extracted from dissipative leaf morphologies were translated into varied evaporative structures (e.g. paper models, ceramic tiles, asphalt shingles). Multiple botanical and design studies were conducted to demonstrate the impact of planar dissection, edge extension, protrusion shape, elongation, scale and dimensionality on evaporative transfer, in controlled and outdoor environments. Overall, this research breaks new interdisciplinary ground and provides further insights into the interpretation of leaves as functionally shaped exchangers. The design outcomes illustrate the potential of leaf-inspired interfaces for thermoregulating the built environment. Ultimately, experimental biomimetics based on design studies with physical models is shown to provide a unique framework for innovating on evaporative technical exchangers.
Petra Gruber (Advisor)
Hunter King (Committee Member)
Peter Niewiarowski (Committee Member)
Ali Dhinojwala (Committee Member)
Junliang Tao (Committee Member)
307 p.
Biophysics; Design; Plant Biology
biomimetics; bio-inspired design; biomimicry; leaf morphology; botany; heterophylly; heat and mass transfer; thermal exchanger; evapotranspiration; evaporative cooling; boundary layer; building envelopes

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Rupp, A. I.K.S. (2020). Leaf-inspired Design for Heat and Vapor Exchange [Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron15929515707363

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Rupp, Ariana. Leaf-inspired Design for Heat and Vapor Exchange. 2020. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron15929515707363.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Rupp, Ariana. "Leaf-inspired Design for Heat and Vapor Exchange." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron15929515707363

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron15929515707363
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© 2020, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.