Researchers Develop Electricity-Generating Clothing

Here is an example of electricity generating clothing that we suggest to be applied in the shower in order to generate warm-water

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330615,00.html

Flow friction and heat transfer of ethanol–water solutions through silicon microchannels

interesting article on flow friction and heat transfer:


Huiying Wu¹, Xinyu Wu and Zhen Wei
School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 800 Dong Chuan Road, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
¹ Author to whom any correspondence should be addressed.
E-mail: whysrj@sjtu.edu.cn

Abstract. An experimental investigation was performed on the flow friction and convective heat transfer characteristics of the ethanol–water solutions flowing through five sets of trapezoidal silicon microchannels having hydraulic diameters ranging from 141.7 µm to 268.6 µm. Four kinds of ethanol–water solutions with the ethanol volume concentrations ranging from 0 to 0.8 were tested under different flow and heating conditions. It was found that the cross-sectional geometric parameters had great effect on the flow friction and heat transfer, and the microchannels with a larger W_b/W_t (bottom width-to-top width ratio) and a smaller H/W_t (depth-to-top width ratio) usually had a larger friction constant and a higher Nusselt number. Entrance effects were significant for the flow friction and heat transfer in silicon microchannels, and decreased with the increase of dimensionless hydrodynamic length L and dimensionless thermal length L⁺_h. When L > 1.0, the hydrodynamic entrance effect on the flow friction was ignorable. For the developed laminar flow in silicon microchannels, the Navier–Stokes equation was applicable. It was also found that the volume concentrations had different effects on the flow friction and heat transfer. Within the experimental range, the effect of volume concentrations on the flow friction was ignorable, and the friction constants of the ethanol–water solutions having different concentrations were the same as those of the pure water. However, volume concentrations had great effect on the convection heat transfer in silicon microchannels. With the increase of the volume concentrations, the Nusselt number of the ethanol–water solutions increased obviously, which was attributed to the combination effect of the increase in the Prantdtl number as well as the volatilization effect of the ethanol. Based on the experimental data, the dimensionless correlations for the flow friction and heat transfer of the ethanol–water solutions in the silicon microchannels in a function of the cross-sectional geometrical parameters, entrance effect and volume concentrations were proposed for the first time.

Print publication: Issue 4 (April 2009)
Received 28 October 2008, in final form 18 December 2008
Published 11 March 2009

http://www.iop.org/EJ/abstract/0960-1317/19/4/045005

15.02.2010 Meeting Natalie and Fernanda

With the intention of better definning this product-to-be we just pointed out this few notes:

DEFINITIVE POINTS
- Used in the shower.
- Connected to pipelines.
- Alternative electricity: Power Turbine
- Creates awareness
- Brings a real profit to the user (investment not just luxury gadget)

MAYBES?
- In/visible
- Docking station
- Modularity
- Heating system for the water (hybrid with the usual gas)

We think it's important that the energy created with the turbine by the natural shower water cycle is used in a smart way, so could it be that we use the existing installation to heat the water that we use?

Here's different versions of an analog that works with electricity, directly on the shower head to heat the water. We could then substitute the electricity...

http://www.green-energy-efficient-homes.com/electric-shower-head.html

Energie producing turbine

This turbine can be stuck onto a water-tap and as soon as the water runs it produces enough energie to charge your mobile phone for example. (220v)

http://www.mobicroco.de/news/islate-review-wasserkraft-daheim-404-error/7785.html

Sony Technology

Here's the technology that Sony uses in their eBook Reader. It's basically a polarized pigment that reacts to the screen by going up or down. That's what gives it a high resolution and paper-like sensation.

Meeting 12.02.

Meeting 12.02.2010


Statement:

USE the cycle water as it is, not change it necessarily!

Sketches/Ideas:

Using the already existing water-pressure in the pipe to produce the energy needed to run a shower-radio/temperature/meter/consumption/countdown/Chronometer etc. via a small turbine.
Why? More fun whilst listening to the radio under the shower and being aware of how much water you use/ how long you shower.

How does it work:

Left side of the following picture: the tiles in a shower.
Right side of the following picture: what happens

1. When the shower is switched off - it lookes like ususal tiles.
2. As soon as the shower gets turned on, the Radio gehts on with it (the turbin rotates because of the water passing in the tube and energy gets produced)
3. The screen appears on the right side of the tile, while a digital symbol of a turbine rotating on the left symbolizes the movement of the turbine/the water in the pipe
   
4. the tiles next to the "radio-tile" on each side (to the right and the left) are a "speaker-tiles" for the radio (the surface-structure of these tiles could go on as a pattern over the whole wall
5. when the water gets turned off- the radio stops as well! (or could run a little while longer with an integrated short-term-battery that recharges itself during the next shower)
   

Which programms are interesting:

• The touch-screen enables an easy "ipod-like"-way of flipping through the programms.
• only digital numbers are shown on the screen (keep it simple)
  
• No buttons needed where water could run in (only one plain surface)
• Nothing visible when its switched of - its just a tile!

Drawing of the turbine in the tube and side cut of the tiles/speakers:

Already existing temperature indicator:

http://www.xoxide.com/thermaltake-flowtx-flowmeter-wi.html

Already existing shower-speakers
http://thegadgetcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/shower_speaker.jpg

12.02.2010 SAVING WATER MAT

http://www.furnicraft.info/water-conservating-reduce-your-use-non-slip-mat/

Interesting parting point? Bedol Water Powered Clock

http://incrediblethings.com/home/bedol-water-powered-clock/

If you're sick of buying batteries and want to find a more eco-friendly solution for as many devices as you can, then you'll love the ingenious design of the Bedol Water Clock. This marvel of modern science runs off of pure H20 and nothing else... no batteries, no wires, no chemicals and no gimmicks. Fill the tank with water and you won't have to refresh for almost 2 months. The translucent blue siding and silver face give this cool desk clock an attractive modern appeal.

http://www.dailygreen.de/2009/02/22/water-powered-clock-2-wasserbetriebene-uhr-ohne-batterie-670.html

Technology explanation in german...

Tokyo Fiber Sensewear

This was mentioned before as a reference for different textiles in the bathroom context. This surface can regulate wether the drops will come through from beneith, or just slide down the teflon-like surface.

http://www.triennale.it/index.php?id=1&tbl=0&idq=876

http://www.tokyofiber.com/en/

This post can be updated with more specific details, but I find this material very interesting.

Thomas Jomini - Rebath

Thomas Jomini & Associates created a bathing concept where the water is reused for watering plants etc.

http://www.thomasjomini.ch/rebath.htm

Motion-Sensing Transtube 360 Shower

Could be interesting to know if this exists as well for going up and down!

Transtube 360 Shower
ROCA

+ The rotating door is free from hinges, screws and handles, and opens using motion-sensor technology

http://gizmodo.com/5411297/motion+sensing-transtube-360-shower-puts-you-on-display

Rainfall/Waterfall-Showers Research

Researches of different ways how water can fall down on you
(for different sensations while showering)



Sensamare
HOESCH

+ shower for two
+ Rainfallshower sitting or standing
+ shower benches for sitting in the warm "Rain"

http://www.hoesch.de/en/products/bathroom-concepts/sensamare/shower-trays/detail/model/109/?wform=&cHash=116dbba7a7

Waterfall Shower
MARK SUENSILPONG (for JANE HAMLEY WELLS)

+ combines wood an dmetal
+ releases a thin sheet of water that plummets dramatically to the floor

http://www.janehamleywells.com/catalog.php?product=2063

Watersheet, Waterfall and SideRain
SIEGER DESIGN
DORNBRACHT BALANCE MODULES

+ focus on making bathing a natural and sensual experience
+ Flowing streams, plummeting falls and sprinkling rain

http://www.showeringenthusiast.com/shower/trends/dornbracht-shower-fixtures-the-new-watersheet-waterfall-and-siderain-1081/

Aquavolo
BOSSINI

+ Rainfall/Waterfall shower

http://picocool.com/design/waterfall-shower-to-rain-shower/

Raindance Rainfall headshower
HANSGROHE

+ 3 spray modes:

• Rain AIR, 240mm with AIR technology
• Whirl with 4 swivel spray units
• RainFlow 176mm wide

http://www.stylepark.com/en/hansgrohe/hansgrohe-raindance-rainfall-head-shower?nr=0

3.02.2010

Other icons for modularity and inteligent space use.

Eco-friendly Bath

http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/eco-gadgets-daspa-shower-recycles-shower-water-for-a-green-massage/
Similar system to what we're looking for.
Recycling water cycle. Cons: It uses electricity and kind of darkens the eco-friendly part.

Dry cleaning of clothes

We were curious to search for alternative cleaning methods of our body than water based, as we use a big amount of this resource. We try to find a link to dry cleaning of laundry and to see if we can see any possible ways for adaptation. We stayed a bit concerned for the process.

See video here


The Process
When you drop your clothes off at the cleaners, the employees follow a pattern that holds true at just about any dry-cleaning operation running today. Your clothes go through the following steps:

Tagging and inspection - Some method, whether it is small paper tags or little labels written on a shirt collar, is used to identify your clothes so they don't get mixed up with everyone else's. Clothes are also examined for missing buttons, tears, etc. that the dry cleaner might get blamed for otherwise.
Pre-treatment - The cleaner looks for stains on your clothes and treats them to make removal easier and more complete.
Dry cleaning - The clothes are put in a machine and cleaned with a solvent.
Post-spotting - Any lingering stains are removed.
Finishing - This includes pressing, folding, packaging and other finishing touches.

02.02.2010 Fernanda and Sebastian

Click on the images for enlargement


Brainstorming session and listing of the process of taking a bath.

GENERAL
1. Space Definition (separated room vs integrated)
2. Equipment (control of water -temperature, pressure-; environment - surfaces, materials, light...-; accesories - storage, consumable products, fixed/long lasting products)

SHOWER Routine:
* waxing, wc, shaving, etc
3. Turn on water
4. Temperature check
5. Undress
6. Wet yourself
7. Wash (shampoo, soap...)
* shaving, treatments...
8. Rinse

BATH Routine:
a. Preparation of the bath (environment - candles, salt, oil, foam, MUSIC)
4. Temperature check
b. Get in and relax
c. Final shower

LOVER Routine:
+ Space, time and resources
+ Positions, adjustable?
(Shower or bath or sauna or...)

SAUNA Routine
+ switch on the electric sauna / light up the woods
+ jump in after after a sauna
+ throwing water on the stones
+ enjoying the humidity and athmosphere
+ cooling down out side after a shower
+ having a cooling drink, beer etc
+ taking a shower before going in to the sauna again
+ repetition until you feel finished.
+ continues with shower and cleaning routines

DRYING
9. Turn off water
10. Dry with: towel, robe, hand towel, air? - Body, hair, feet

"Post production"
- Q-tipping
- Hair/teeth brushing
- Hair do/dry
- Body products: lotions, deo, other products
- Make-up
- Nail clipping
- Cut hair
- contacts
- etc

BATHROOM´S MAINTENACE
- Drying of the space (avoid humidity)
- Tiles, joints, corners...


USES OF A BATHROOM
- Wake up shower
- Bath
- Sauna
- Hamami
- Temazcal
- Regular cleansing
- Relaxing
- Love making
- Body shower (no hair)
- Shaving
- Feet super scrubbing
- Other treatments

OBSERVATIONS
Different levels (depth) of bathing.
The deeper, the more time, the more resources you need (water, products, tools)
The process is dependent on water > Are we able to influence the process with DRY CLEANING of clothes?
Alternative to running water (steam, solvents, etc)


BRAINSTORMING
Crazy ideas to get started

ROUTINE:
- Car wash shower (automatized, non-touch, passive system)
- Passive dry (air blow, robe, other)
- Dry cleaning

FUNCTION:
- Self sustainable cycle (reuse of same water through purification)
- Self maintenance (cleaning, drying, etc)

SPACE CONSTRAINTS:
- Closet bathroom
- Rotator
- Transformer

SPECIAL FEATURES:
- "Non-touch" bathroom
- Self clean
- Climate (air conditioning, chauffage, etc)
- Adaptable to body (height, personalized regulations, enveloping materials, etc)
- Bathroom + washing machine system
- Reuse of grey waters (linked to the kitchen)
- Roller coaster jump-in
- Transparency (to see the whole trail of water)

Phyto Purification Bathroom

Jun Yasumoto

Using a natural filtering principle called phyto-purification, the bathroom becomes a mini-eco-system by recycling and regenerating the wastewater.
The water from the shower and the washbasin is filtered through an organic system before being re-used.
Phyto-purification is a natural water-recycling process which is commonly used in ecological purification systems.

Rotator by Ron Arad for Teuco

Rotator by Ron Arad for Teuco



Interesting radical shower/bath concept for small spaces.


Ron Arad has designed a bath for Italian manufacturers Teuco, which rotates to become a shower. The wide lip functions as a bath when at the lowest point. The whole piece can be rotated so that the lip is out of the way for a standing shower. The water is drained from the bath by rotating it back to the shower postition.

Virginia's Toilet / Virginia Gardiner / The Bathroom Reinvented / Dwell

Virginia's Toilet / Virginia Gardiner / The Bathroom Reinvented / Dwell from gary nadeau on Vimeo.

Industrial designer and London–based Dwell contributor Virginia Gardiner shares the ins and outs of her low-cost, low-tech concept for a waterless toilet system.

Read more: http://www.dwell.com/videos/the-bathroom-reinvented-virginia-gardiner.html#ixzz0eSI4HxXX

Dwell presents | The Bathroom Reinvented: Universal Design in Public Bathrooms | Part 1 | by Gary Nadeau

Dwell presents | The Bathroom Reinvented: Universal Design in Public Bathrooms | Part 1 | by Gary Nadeau from gary nadeau on Vimeo.

In the first video of a two-part series, New York–based firm Smart Design examines the intersection between Universal Design principles and the limitations of public bathrooms.

Read more: http://www.dwell.com/videos/The-Bathroom-Reinvented-Universal-Design.html#ixzz0eSILn0wp