While wind turbines are an effective form of sustainable energy, they are not without their faults. One issue is the problem of root leakage, where the center of the turbines draws power away from the blades resulting in some turbulence. Another issue is their lack of adaptability to different wind environments. Team BioBreeze of Montana hopes to combat these issues with their “SeedSpinner” turbine. Their design incorporates functions from the Japanese maple seed, dragonfly wings, and aspen leaves. Combining aspects from all three organisms, the blades of their design are made from a light, flexible plastic that is slightly tilted to catch the wind and pick up on the slightest breeze. Not only does this address the issue of root leakage, but the design enables the turbine to be adapted to a variety of environments.

The fact that Team BioBreeze seamlessly incorporated three inspirational organisms into their design is what set them apart from the other teams. The judges were impressed that the team did extensive research and tested their design to see if it could be adapted to a larger scale. Lastly, the team’s insight provided by interviewing local engineers gave the project a more informed perspective. Learn More.

Singapore, a place where land space is scarce, uses photovoltaic (PV) panels positioned on rooftops as well as on the surface of water reservoirs as a sustainable source of clean energy. However, climate change and rising temperatures, as well as high cloud cover across the country, reduce the efficiency of solar panels. LUC-YDC, a team from Singapore, looked to nature to find a solution for more efficient solar energy. Their innovation, the Photovoltaic-Aurantiaca-Nucifera System (PANS), draws inspiration from the window plant as well as the lotus leaf. The window plant, found in the Namib Desert in South Africa, buries its stem beneath the surface and uses its exposed region as a lens to direct light inside without overheating. The lotus plant is known for its hydrophobic properties. LUC-YDC used both of these to inspire the creation of the PANS, a system that eliminates the traditional horizontal placement of solar panels and turns them vertically inside of water tanks that are found on rooftops. A hydrophobic transparent dome-shaped lid is used to bend the light onto the panels inside the water, and the orientation of the panels themselves allows for more solar energy to be captured.

The judges were especially impressed by how the team articulated the restraints and limitations of their project, showing a deep understanding of the design process. Learn more.

Microplastics in the ocean, especially in California, are an increasingly prominent issue that San Francisco Bay Area team Christmas Tree Worm hoped to solve with “The Protego.” The Protego is a self-charging device that would attach to the front of any marine vessel and collect microplastics as the vessel is moving. The design gets its inspiration from four organisms, including the remora fish, Christmas tree worms, swordfish, and the blue tilapia. One of the device’s highlights is the suction pad, inspired by the remora fish and its ability to use a suction pad atop its head to attach itself to larger marine life and “hitch” a ride. Another prominent feature is the device’s ability to capture microplastics with its internal spiral conveyor belt system made from nonpolar rubber hairs, mimicking how Christmas tree worms use appendages to get food to their mouth. The Protego aims to clean the oceans in the Bay Area cheaply and sustainably.

The Protego received high praises for the overall quality of the project and for using numerous inspirations that all contributed to the final design. The judges loved how the team iterated upon the design based on feedback, and look forward to hearing about any potential future developments related to The Protego project. Learn more.

Increasingly severe heat waves in Pakistan due to climate change have led to an alarming number of deaths as well as a disruption of daily life. A team from Islamabad, Heatwave Heroes, hopes that their architectural design could help mitigate the rising temperatures in Pakistan and other hot or desert climates. Their building, serving as a town center or housing, has many features throughout the design that were inspired by the Saharan Silver Ant and the Desert Snail. The building’s dome takes inspiration from both organisms. Cutouts along the walls are made to resemble the Saharan Silver Ant’s hair structure.

The judges were impressed with the team’s testing and iterative design process. Their use of architectural software to simulate how their design would work was especially impressive. Many kudos to the Heatwave Heroes for choosing a local issue that is meaningful to them and creating something to help combat climate change in their community. Learn more.