“Hygromorphism: green carbon-negative energy for water-sensitive urban design”

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is a vital component in an anthropocentric view to managing an entire water cycle as close as practicable to the once natural flow conditions within and through an urban catchment. A review of WSUD literature with a focus upon innovative opportunities for the concept presented a niche for WSUD advancement with energy inputs. WSUD systems tend not to require energy inputs to drive them, yet if a carbon-neutral green energy source existed, then novel WSUD system enhancements would ensue. Exceeding goals of carbon-neutrality, hygromorphism is carbon-negative green energy, with experiments presented by this research demonstrating its potential to aptly fill that void. 

Experimentation has shown hygromorphism to be measurable, predictable, and therefore suitable, for gauging its energy reliability. An important outcome of this research is that a novel investigative technique was designed that enabled the energy output of hygromorphism to be calculated from collected data of the elevation of weight achieved solely by timber cupping. The major result was calculable, harnessable, and useable green energy provided by timber hygromorphism which does not emit carbon whilst also being a carbon store in itself, thus a negative carbon emitter. The optimum geometries of timber to produce maximum hygromorphic torque and the dominant weather factors that enact and deactivate hygromorphism are detailed. 

The influence of timber geometry and various weather factors on hygromorphism is investigated and reported. Weather experimentation determined that the natural hygromorphic activation and deactivation phases could be made known. Relationships between prominent weather factors and hygromorphic phases, then modelling of those interactions with real-time data ensued. 

Finally, the graphing and statistical analysis of all of the weather and hygromorphic data enabled visualisation and identification of patterns and relationships to be made. Resultant to the data analysis, it became feasible to create an innovative parsimonious model for making hygromorphic predictions from various timber geometries situated in natural local weather conditions. The model is adjustable to suit any particular localised investigation by inputting relevant timber geometries and local weather. Recommendations on where this unique energy can be applied, particularly in WSUD and elsewhere, complete the research suite. 

This in-depth suite of research and experimentation not only successfully linked hygromorphism with its potential for powering innovative WSUD systems but also highlighted it as a virtually unexplored innovative green energy source. In an era thirsting for zero-emission technologies to thwart climate change, hygromorphism is auspicious for further investigation.