Over the years, engineering and sustainability have become more interconnected and prominent factors in the creation of buildings across the country. We’ve seen this interconnection through certifications such as LEED, the world’s most widely used green building system. However, these certifications often overlook the critical points of sustainable building designs, such as air quality.
This year, Alessandra Ranesi decided to address this shortcoming by taking on the Cleantech Challenge.
Ranesi is a Ph.D. civil engineering student at the University of Lisboa in Portugal but is doing a visiting period at Portland State University (PSU). Prior to entering her Ph.D. program, Ranesi was working as a civil engineer in Italy, Spain, and Portugal.
“The clients of the firm I was working for were complaining about the indoor air quality and their thermal comfort.” In addition, she notes that “And I was thinking there might be a way to address this problem, which is like a passive solution, and make it better.”
This led to the creation of BreathitClean, a project working on reusing biowaste to create wall plaster to act as a passive moisture regulator and pollutant remover that passively enhances indoor air quality.
“It was really important for me to make an eco product. And I was thinking it might be useful to use this biowaste in other ways instead of putting in the land again or firing those, like trying to close the energy cycle of them,” but here journey has also come with many challenges.
“Like every scientific project, also mine can have some obstacles.” She goes on to say, “So I have to go through all the pollutants I’m interested in, which are the most commonly spread[...] and see if it’s formulated with my plaster.”
In spite of all the work Ranesi puts into her project, she has been able to build a great support system.
“Doctor Elliot is helping a lot, more with the scientific approach. [...] Tom Bennett, which is like human encyclopedia of like civil engineering, it’s great. [...] I enjoy working with him,” says Ranesi.
Looking ahead, Ranesi hopes to come out of the Cleantech Challenge feeling more confident in herself.
“I’m learning how to approach my idea, which so far I always consider like only in a scientific way, in a different way.” She adds by saying, “Something that can be developed and reach all the people around, and actually be a commercial product.”
To stay up to date on all the latest Center for Entrepreneurship content, make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter!