Riley Frisell

Title of Work: 

The Simultaneous Development of Global Citizenship and a Low-Cost Air Filtration Device

Abstract:

Vital Signs Lab supports research focused on human well being, comfort, interior air quality, and the use of energy in new and existing buildings. In this project, titled the REVEAL Project, our goal was to design, construct, install and evaluate a low-cost air purification device for the implementation in classrooms in the community. This research is important to protect the health of the children, who learn in an environment without heating, cooling, or ventilation systems and suffer from poor air quality. The result of this is a negative impact on their respiration and thus ability to learn. While working with my research team, I expanded my understanding of the culture and developed some of the phonetic and phonological traits of Chile. 

Título del trabajo:  

El desarrollo simultáneo de la ciudadanía global y un mecanismo de filtración de aire de bajo costo

Resumen:

Vital Signs Lab apoya investigaciones centrándose en el bienestar humano, la comodidad, la calidad del aire interior, y el uso de la energía en edificios nuevos y existentes. En este proyecto, titulado REVEAL Project, nuestra meta era diseñar, construir, instalar y evaluar un purificador de aire de bajo costo para la implementación en salas de clases en la comunidad. Esta investigación es importante para proteger la salud de los niños, quienes aprenden en un ambiente sin sistemas de ventilación, calefacción y refrigeración y sufren de pobre calidad de aire. El resultado de es esto es un efecto negativo en su respiración y por lo tanto su capacidad de aprender. Mientras trabajaba con mi equipo de investigación, he expandido mi comprensión de la cultura y desarrolló algunos rasgos fonéticos y fonologías de Chile.

Elevator Pitch Video

Elevator Pitch Transcript: 

Hey guys! My name is Riley Frisell, and I study mechanical engineering and modern languages with an emphasis in Spanish. Last year, I had the privilege of studying abroad in Concepción, Chile, at La Universidad de Concepción. Here, I had the opportunity to act as an engineering consultant for Vital Signs Laboratory, a research group within UdeC’s architecture faculty. The title of my presentation is “The Simultaneous Development of Global Citizenship and a Low-Cost Air Filtration Device”. 

Vital Signs Laboratory supports research focused on health and wellness, indoor air quality, and the use of energy. A wide majority of public buildings in Concepcion lack central heating, air conditioning, and even ventilation systems. This lack of air movement, especially in public spaces such as classrooms and offices, can cause long term respiratory complications and affects our overall performance capability. The most common method of ventilation then, is to open windows and promote air flow this way. However, during the winters it gets very cold and rainy in Concepcion, making it uncomfortable to have windows open. The goal of my main project, titled Project REVEAL, was to design, build, and test a low-cost alternative to in line HVAC systems. Our intent was to create a publicly accessible template, designed with locally resourced materials that would allow anyone in the community to be able to build and introduce this device to a needing environment. 

Over seven months, from our initial concept generation, through several rounds of design iterations, we completed the construction of a functional prototype. In the top left corner, you can see two configurations of our air filtration boxes. In the final week of my stay, we began setting up and calibrating equipment at an elementary school for experimental trials. 

While working with VSL, I was approached by another professor looking for assistance with her project. This project was investigating the weather-tightness of certain buildings construction. The tool you see is used to conduct what is called a blower door test. This test allows a room to be pressurized or depressurized in order to evaluate air leakage. I was asked to learn, create instructions for, and then teach the professor how to use the RetroTec blower door. We then ran an experiment at another school. In the picture is a sealed room that we filled with a fog machine, then using the blower door to pressurize the room, we were able to identify leakage area and locations. 

Outside of my research, I spent time immersing myself in the community. I was able to explore the beauty that is the environment and culture of Concepcion. From week long independence day festivities, basketball tournaments and rock and roll concerts, countless sobremesas and so much more. I watched not only my Spanish proficiency improve, but I recognized an entirely new level of cultural awareness. If you're curious for more details on my research, the gorgeous places I got to visit, or what I gained in intercultural competence as a global citizen, I invite you to come find me at Summit. I can't wait to see you there!

Digital Poster