Inspired by Nature, Perfected by Science Assignment

Inspired by Nature, Perfected by Science - Assignment Example Research was conducted by Dr. Alan Darlington — a world-renowned expert on indoor-air biofilters who is now our company President — along with a team of researchers from U of G. Findings from this research were so positive that Dr. Darlington was awarded a fellowship to take the technology to market. In 2001, Air Quality Solutions Ltd was launched. Through ongoing research and strong product development, the company soon gained more than an impressive — and growing — share of the market: it also gained the attention of the NEDLAW Group, respected specialists in both conventional and living roofs. In 2008 the two companies joined forces and Air Quality Solutions became NEDLAW Living Walls Inc. What are the options for making NEDLAW Living Wallsâ„ ¢ active? There are three ways air can be drawn through the Living Wall to make it active: The most effective way is for the wall to be designed as an alternative return-air path back to the HVAC. The air, which is normally drawn from the space, is first cleansed as it passes through the wall and is then disseminated through the space by the HVAC. Ideally a bypass is integrated into the design so that air can be drawn from the space without passing through the wall (for periods of free cooling, wall establishment or wall maintenance). The second approach is to build fans right into the wall so it functions as a stand-alone unit, separate from the building’s HVAC. Although this works well, it is not as effective as the first method since it has a much more localized effect. The third method is a hybrid of the first two. The Living Wall has its own fan system but it also has a duct system to better diffuse air through the space. We can help select which scenario would work best in your space. Return to the top What do NEDLAW active Living Wall biofilters look like? A wall covered in plants, our system is essentially vertical hydroponics. Water from a basin planting is lifted by a pump system to the top and flows back through the interior of the plant wall, circulating through a closed water loop system. Return to the top Is anyone else trying this approach? To the best of our knowledge, the NEDLAW patented system is the only one to use plant walls as biofilters to control indoor air quality. Return to the top Could native plants be used in the system? Some native plants may be present. However, most native plants would not survive well indoors. Plants adapt to their local climate and, as such, plants from northern climates generally require the different seasons to grow properly. For most native plants to survive indoors, the climate in the wall would have to mimic these seasons, making routine use of the space difficult and its performance irregular. Return to the top How long do the plants survive in the space? We expect about 90% survival of the plants each year; but this is largely dependent on the choice of plants and local conditions. Return to the top Are pesticides used in the wall? We use only methods that can be considered organic to control pests in our walls; we emphasize management practices and biological controls such as predators. So-called pests such as white flies, fungus gnats, spider mites and their respective predator species are necessary, even desirable. They contribute to the ecosystem’s species diversity and ecological stability. Return