Design of a Climate Adaptable Solar Energy system using biomimetic inspiration from a lichen symbiosis

Abstract

Designing energy systems that are adaptable and provide undisturbed service in different climate conditions is an essential challenge for sustainable design. This project involves the design and construction of a Climate Adaptable Solar Energy (CASE) System that aims to address the performance reduction due to changing environmental conditions. The CASE System is a biomimetic design, inspired by lichen, and applies biological concepts of protection and energy conversion to achieve adaptability. Symbiotic organisms of fungus and algae within lichen organisms exhibit environmental adaptability through close integration, thus living as a single organism. DSSCs were implemented as the driving mechanisms for harnessing energy for the system from the sun, just as algae performs in lichen. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), which currently convert up to 15 percent of solar energy into electrical energy, are cheaper to manufacture than traditional photovoltaic systems, offer greater mechanical durability, and are a rising competitor for the current solar energy system market. Since the DSSCs were commercially unavailable, the DSSCs were assembled from core components contained in a kit. Additional pieces of the CASE System were designed and manufactured to perform functions similar to a fungus in a lichen organism, by providing protection and temperature control to the DSSCs.