Nutridome I SDG 11 I South Africa

Auteur avatarJessica Michelle Le Roux | Dernière modification 13/12/2020 par Jessica Michelle Le Roux

Nutridome is a collaboration between Siphiwe Ngwenya and Jessica Michelle Le Roux, the project set out to create a prototype of an affordable, hybrid hydroponic system which works off of an automated system which is connected to a smartphone application. The structure enables compact urban farming.

Introduction

The prototype considers SDG 11's call by the United Nations. The project speaks to being self efficient in urban environments by enabling urban living with with the ability and ease of use and use of a 'smart vegetable garden. The idea is for the user to self sustain their families through the use of a compact hybrid hydroponic greenhouse structure which produces high yields, provides nutritious foods and reduces transportation of food produce.


The idea in the design was to come up with an energy efficient solution which will enable plants to grow in varied environments. The prototype is a controlled system linked to remote system, envisioned to be accessible via a smart phone application which also includes a community engagement platform.

Matériaux

Outils

Étape 1 - Linking the LED Lighting

We used 3 LED lights because we only had 9V batteries. This forced us to have an external power source that could cope with those power needs. To deal with 9V we decided to use a relay as a magnetic switch because the Arduino can only handle 5V and this is where the relay helped us. The Arduino code was written to play on a loop since we didn't have the required modules to communicate with the system.


Étape 2 - Creating Hydroponic Pump System

This is a prototype illustration of the concept, the




Étape 3 - Creating the Shell Structure

This is a PVC pipe that has been drilled with holes we were going to use disposable plastic cups but we found some plastic growing cups in the store room and we used those. for this demonstration we are using an ordinary aquarium pump and pipes for the water flow. The bucket is just a normal bucket.


The dome was made from 25mm PVC electrical wiring pipes. The dome was inspiration for the idea as we saw it at the Centre and realised its potential. the PVC pipes are held together with cable ties, glue and connectors.


The shading is normal garden shade and plastic sheeting can be placed over the structure to create more controlled environments. This will be when you have put the hydroponic system with lighting inside the dome we just wanted to illustrate the look for the final product of the dome.



Étape 4 - Setting up the Dome



Étape 5 - Setting up the plants in the hydroponic system


Étape 6 - Why consider a hydroponic system




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