EMILY CHUTTER
Recent Mechanical Engineering Graduate
For our 4th year Capstone project, instead of doing one of the suggested projects, myself and four others decided to create our own product.
Due to our commitment to sustainability as well as our personal interest in growing our own food, we decided to design an autonomous greenhouse powered by the sun.
OUR GOAL
Influence people to care about where their food is coming from and provide them with a personalized farming solution for small living spaces in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Features
•Gravity-fed
•Solenoid controlled – 12V DC, 600mA draw
•Tank capacity: 5.25L
•Flexible tubing system allows plant specific irrigation layout
•Completely autonomous
•Adjustable gas-charged cylinder which expands as temperature increases
•Begins to open front panel at 25°C
•Custom-made LED lighting accounts for days lacking long periods of sunlight
•Emits critical wavelengths of artificial light necessary for photosynthesis
(red and blue light)
•2x 5W solar panels charge 12V battery
•Two optimized positions: 62° (Mar-Aug) and 42° (Sept-Feb)
•Powers entire enclosure
•Optional wall plug-in when solar radiation is not available
•Allows user to water less frequently in rainy season
•Fills tank directly
Thermally-Expanding Window Opener
Watering System
Lighting System
Sun Powered
Rain-Collecting System
Won the award for:
PROTOTYPE MOST READY FOR COMMERCIALIZATION
