Alumni Projects
A small look into our large archive of projects since Smart House's founding.
Date: Summer 2017-Fall 2018
Project Lead: Timothy Lechman
Other Members: Ryan Hassing
Date: Summer 2016 - Summer 2017
Project Lead: Sudipti Attri
Date: ~2008
Project Lead: Cody Ray
Other Members: Mike Fink, Bob Goodman, Yogin Nixit, Tom Peduto, Anthony Venafra, Keola Williams, Zachary Williamson
Date: ~2011 - 2016
Project Lead: Maxime Damis
Date: ~2011
Project Lead: Burim Derveni
After being inspired while doing STAR in Europe, several students returned to focus around modulating LED lights to transmit data. They are currently working on a developing a testbed, that will be used to transmit data from one computer to another via the LED. A side research activity occurring parallel to the testbed development will be using Phillip Hue light bulbs inside of the Drexel Smart House for simultaneous lighting and telecommunications purposes.
Date: ~2015
Project Lead: A.J. Sauter
This group has been working on improving the material properties used in dye-sensitized solar cells. These devices are unique by producing electricity similar to the process that occurs in the photosynthesis of plants. Current efficiencies are too low for commercialization, and the team was working on optimizing the base titanium dioxide electrode layers for enhanced performance. This includes carefully taking measurements electrodes prepared by spin coating and “doctor-blading” techniques. Stacking multiple electrodes for improved energy outputs have also been demonstrated. Future research will include investigating new perovskite materials, and practical ways to apply these cells to the house.
Date: Unknown
Project Members: Ariel Finke, Klaus Horsch, Peter Schmidt, Sam Steffes, Jonathan Turner
Date: September 2015
Rapid energy storage and delivery are important to enable superior utilization of fluctuating renewable sources, as well as to increase the efficiency of the grid through proper load-leveling and peak shaving. These critical challenges may only be managed by highly efficient storage technologies, with the ability to quickly respond to the large and rapid fluctuations in energy generation and demand during the day. Heretofore, existing technologies suffer from slow response rates (e.g., flow batteries), moderate efficiency at a high cost (e.g., batteries), limited life (e.g., molten salt systems), and costly scalability (e.g., fly wheels). Supercapacitors display great promise due to its rapid charge/discharge ability; however, supercapacitors suffer from low energy density, cost and self-discharge, which hinder their widespread implementation for grid-scale.
Electrochemical flow capacitors (EFC) eliminate some of the major limitations of static supercapacitors, offering a scalable storage solution at a potentially lower lost. This new concept incorporates the advantages of both supercapacitors and flow batteries, and enables rapid charging/discharging (i.e., fast response rates with high power density), while decoupling energy storage from power output (i.e., scalable energy capacity). The EFC operates similar to a redox flow battery, however the energy transfer in an EFC is much faster and the energy storage mechanism is different and more efficient. The unique aspect of this concept is the use of a “flowable carbon electrolyte slurry,” as the active material for capacitive storage. The uncharged slurry is pumped betwixt two electrodes, in order to be charged to a certain potential. The energy is stored in the electric double layer at the interface between charged carbon particles and the electrolyte. Ion diffusion between the electrodes occurs through an ion-permeable electrically insulating membrane. The charged slurry is stored in a reservoir and can be used for energy recovery by simply pumping it into a discharge cell. The energy storage is determined by the size of the tanks; whereas, the power output is dictated by the size of the discharge cell. Another key feature of the EFC is that the expected lifetime of the EFC (≈ 100,000 cycles), is comparable to supercapacitors due to the similarities in charge storage mechanisms. This concept also eliminates the cost and weight of current collectors, separators and packaging used in supercapacitors, providing high energy capacity potentially at a lower cost, which is of great interest for commercialization. High power rating, low-cost scalable energy capacity, fast charge/discharge ability and long lifetime make this concept ideally suited for smart grid and renewable energy applications when energy harvesting, back-up power and/or peak shaving ability is needed.
The current research began during the fall of 2015, centering around 3D printing various EFC physical casing/housings to improve understanding in regards to the role of cell geometry on the EFC performance. To date, only rectangular small scale prototypes have been developed; however, the singular motivation providing support for this design is the ease fabrication steps. Utilizing a 3D printer, research members plan on rapidly testing several differing flow cell geometries; subsequently, the corresponding electrochemical performance of each will be evaluated.
Date: Unknown
Project Members: Aaron Bloch, Sofia Tamimi
Date: Unknown
Project Lead: Yuka Nakao
Date: Unknown
Project Members: Amey Khanolkar, Kevin McHugh, Deepesh Rana, Evan Richter
Date: ~2009
Project Lead: Eric Eisele
Other Members: Daniel Pugh, Courtney Reid, Charles Woods, Sarah Byrnes
Faculty Advisors: Dr. Michel Barsoum, Dr. James Hagarman
Sponsors: Rohm and Haas, Potters Industries Inc.
Date: Unknown
Project Members: Unknown
Date: Unknown
Project Members: Jared Langevin, Adrian Lu
Date: Unknown
Project Members: Unknown
Description: Low cost exterior insulation coating.
Date: Unknown
Project Members: Unknown
Description: System which retains rainwater and grey water on the property in basement cisterns or outdoor rain barrels,
and uses automated controls to redistribute and filter water for re-use
Date: Unknown
Project Members: Unknown
Description: Incorporating vegetation systems in the built environment
Date: Unknown
Project Members: Unknown
Description: Create a maintenance free residential biowall which will circulate air through plant media using return vents
to improve indoor air quality
Date: Unknown
Project Members: Unknown
Description: Energy recovery wheels, a recent advance in HVAC equipment, to bring in fresh air without losing thermal
energy to the outdoor environment
Date: Unknown
Project Members: Unknown
Description: Rain barrels will soon take up residence at the Drexel Smart House. The 55 gallon barrels will save rainwater
during storms, preventing excessive runoff into the sewer system as well as providing much needed water for the grounds
during dry times
Date: Unknown
Project Members: Unknown
Description: Green roof on temporary structure
Date: ~2008
Project Members: Dan Aichinger, Glenn Aller, Jonathan Hubler, Andrew Cebulski, Michael Heffner
Date: ~2009
Project Members: Colin Anthony, Chloe Bach, Matthew Grossman, Charles Zebley
Date: Unknown
Project Members: Justin Canney, Emma Foley, Chris baccash, Jamie Howard
Date: ~2008
Project Members: John (Chad) Crews, Brian Kuhns, Adrian Lu, Lauren Reiter
Date: ~2008
Project Members: Dave Delisi, Jameson Detweiler, Akshita Sivakumar
Date: ~2008
Project Members: James Goerke, Francis Gongloff, Kiran Phuyal, Dan Shick
Date: ~2008
Project Members: Amanda Hoffman, Chuck Longen