The team with the longest name possible is back this week diving deep into the science behind the Optimal Tuning Theory with its author, engineer, Sal Craig. Sal, along with his colleague, architect Kiel Moe at Mcgill University in Montreal, Canada, are our partners in the Thermal Mass and Buoyancy Ventilation Research Project. The team has weekly meetings via Skype with Sal and Kiel to discuss the project, but this week they had an in-depth technical workshop.
Behind our simple understanding of the Optimal Tuning Theory, there are very intricate scientific equations that Sal has written, solved, and published in his peer-reviewed paper, The optimal tuning, within carbon limits, of thermal mass in naturally ventilated buildings. Although the student team does not need to obtain an engineering degree to work on the project, it is important they grasp the basics so the project is truly a collaboration. They need to be able to have a conversation with Sal about the possibilities of the project instead of asking his permission.
Thankfully, Sal is a wonderful teacher and the students were able to reach a deeper understanding of the theory with him during their day-long technical workshop. Afterward, they were able to make a couple of important decisions about the project together one of which was defining the undergraduate phase of the project as an experimental cycle.
The experimental cycle will be comprised of testing the Optimal Tuning Theory at three different scales they are calling Desktop, Human, and Habitable. These scales are important because the theory is meant to be proportional. The Desktop experiment will resemble a small chimney made of thermal mass material, the Human scale experiment a full-sized thermal mass wall, and the Habitable experiment will be a full structure i.e. the pod where the interior walls will be entirely thermal mass.
Defining the experimental cycle has allowed the team to start scheduling and setting deadlines, something Livia has been dying to do. Completing this cycle in the undergraduate phase of the project will allow freedom for the graduate phase. Thanks for tuning in!