RHEOTILE NANO MICRO MACRO: MATERIAL LABORATORY

DATE: 2015

TEAM: Myrna Ayoub, Aziz Barbar and Akshay Goyal

PROJECT LOCATION: Cambridge, Massachusetts

PROGRAM: dynamic building system panel

Developed in collaboration with the Wyss Institute at Harvard for Biologically Inspired Engineering. Rheotile is a dynamic building system panel that enables homeostasis through the use of water responsive modulars for climatic response. The component has a condensation screen head made by bohometized aluminum [hydrophobic] with custom designed bumps and water flow channels [hydrophilic]. The water generated is used to actuate a multi-material 3D printed fin where the actuation mechanism is based on triggering swell-able hinges with the water generated. The module can be repeated to create a façade screen used in a Mediterranean climate to manage light, air flow, cooling, and dehumidification. The product is an easy modular system with no mechanized parts and a quick assembly that is both scalable and low maintenance.

hydrophobic-hydrophillic stamped condensation bumps

bohmetized aluminum channels

3D printed swellable polymer fins

Rheotile modular panel (stamped aluminum panel and 3D printed fin) aggregated as a facade system, assembled with copper pipes and powered through solar panels and water pump. — Rheotile modular panel (stamped aluminum panel and 3D printed fin) aggregated as a facade system, assembled with copper pipes and powered through solar panels and water pump.