A product designed by a Sydney university student could help address the symptoms of climate change after the world experienced three of the hottest years on record.

South-eastern Australia itself has been hit hard by two recent heatwaves. temperature record.

Earlier this month, Western Sydney experienced the hottest day in seven years with temperatures exceeding 42 degrees Celsius for two consecutive days.

But these students are innovating ways to make life easier in society. warming climatecooling equipment, air purifiers, and reimagined bus shelter design.

cooling temperature

Isabella Bucknell, a product design student at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), created Terracol.

This is a 2.2-meter vertical cooling system designed to be mounted on streetlights and can “passively cool the surrounding area, improving comfort and ease of use.”

Two 12-litre catchments collect rainwater and sensors release it at temperatures between 30 and 35 degrees.

The water flows into four chambers, each with three terracotta panels.

“Then there’s a second cooling layer behind that, and that’s the phase change of the polymer composite.” This material absorbs hot air during the day and releases it late at night. ”

There are four 4-litre catchments at the bottom that collect excess rainwater from the system and return it to the top with a submersible pump.

Ms Bucknell said an AI program had calculated that the system could reduce the temperature in a four-metre radius.

“It wasn’t just about creating a comfortable environment, it was about allowing people to walk through it. Outdoor environment during peak heat rather than changing the way we use our outdoor climate,” she said.

“Outdoor activity is greatly reduced on these 35-degree summer days.”

Bucknell estimated that production could take one to three weeks if large-scale manufacturing were undertaken, but providing costing was not part of the project.

She is considering pitching the product to Congress and the government.

purify the air

Fellow design student Freya Rollo created Luft, an air purification module that attaches to the walls of train platforms.

The aluminum-coated vandal-proof pod includes a fan and two filters — a pre-filter and a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) carbon-activated filter — and is easy to maintain, she said.

She estimated that maintenance would be required three to four times a year to keep it effectively filtering pollutants from the air.

The pods have a flame retardant inside so they can self-extinguish if necessary and meet New South Wales railway station safety standards.

The AI ​​determined that the system could filter 300 square meters of air per hour.

“Stickers with calls to action, taglines and QR codes have also been placed on the ground to provide practical and accessible education about air pollution and its effects.”

There is no official information on air quality.

A study carried out in August last year estimated that traffic pollution is the cause of road accidents. More than 1,800 people die prematurely each year.

It is associated with health conditions such as heart and lung disease, chest infections, asthma, and diabetes.

Lolo hopes to work on projects across multiple industries and not be confined to “designing furniture for the rest of my life.”

Rethinking bus stops

Five students from the University of Sydney designed the canopy project.

They were given a brief by Sweltering Cities, in partnership with Blacktown City Council, to redesign Schofields bus station in Western Sydney to combat the urban heat island effect.

Previous research by a Western Sydney advocacy group found that Sydney’s worst bus stop It was revealed that only 37 per cent of stops in Schofields, a relatively new suburb, had shelter, seating or shade.

“We thought, how can we reinvent and innovate the bus stop…to actually combat the heatwave and make it sustainable at the same time…that could help with Schofield’s identity and maturation?” Master of Design student Joseph Chong said.

They created a three-tier solution to suit different space requirements.

The ‘Canopy’ design is a larger bus stop with solar panels, native plants planted above and behind it, bladeless ceiling fans, interactive displays, a micro-library, and seating made from hemp concrete (a mix of lime, hemp hardwood, and water) and recycled wood.

The group hoped the new look and improved amenities would encourage people to use the bus stop.

Sapling’s design is a little smaller and features solar panels, bladeless ceiling fans, and artwork by local artists.

The smallest ‘Seedling’ design has a button-controlled adjustable shade with a solar panel above a circular seat fitted with an interactive display.

Chong said Sweltering Cities “really liked their idea.”

The 25-year-old said he wanted to work in industrial design and contribute to Australia’s sustainability.

Ian Lowe, emeritus professor of science, technology and society at Griffith University, said there was a need to focus on the root causes.

“The last three years have been the hottest three years on record.” [globally]” he said.

“And we are now being warned that what has been an extreme and unusual summer, like the summer of 2019-20, will become extreme within 10 years. Normal period.

Dr Lowe also said undergraduates should “learn about sustainability” no matter what they study.

“No matter what profession they choose, they will be making choices that either increase our chances of achieving a sustainable future or delay it,” he said.

“We must slow climate change if our civilization is to survive.”