The James Dyson Award has announced Brikoole as its national winner, showcasing an inventive solution to the rising global energy consumption in buildings. Brikoole is a passive cooling system designed to reduce indoor temperatures without relying on external energy sources, making it an eco-friendly alternative to traditional air conditioning.
With the ever-growing concern about climate change and energy demand, the invention addresses the need for sustainable cooling solutions in tropical regions like Malaysia.
Globally, buildings consume up to 40% of total energy, with that number expected to rise to 50% by 2030. Malaysia, in particular, ranks third globally in carbon emissions, with an average annual rate of 4.7%. Brikoole’s innovative design aims to help curb this growing energy demand while reducing the country’s carbon footprint.
Developed by Wayne Chong and Nixon Ng, graduates of the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Brikoole was inspired by ancient natural ventilation systems such as termite mounds, wind catchers, and Salsabil fountains.
“The main motivation came from observing the increasing energy consumption and environmental impact of traditional air conditioning systems in tropical climates. Someone close to me experienced a severe spike in their electricity bill, which impacted their family’s financial status. This drove me to dive into the problem,” explained Nixon.
The Brikoole system integrates controlled airflow and evaporative cooling within a building’s structure. It features ventilation holes on the brick exterior, allowing air to pass through an intricate 3D-printed mesh made of wood PLA, which will later be replaced by ceramic in the final design. The mesh is kept moist by an integrated water distribution system, creating a humid environment that cools the air as it evaporates.
This cooled air is then channeled into the building, providing a refreshing atmosphere while lowering indoor temperatures by up to 6.2 degrees Celsius. In Malaysia’s tropical climate, this can reduce the reliance on air conditioners, helping to cut electricity consumption and the carbon emissions associated with fossil fuel-based energy generation.
What sets Brikoole apart is its modularity and scalability, allowing it to be easily integrated into various building designs and styles. Unlike traditional passive cooling systems, which often require separate systems or significant architectural changes, Brikoole is directly incorporated into the building material itself, making it a versatile and sustainable option for new and existing structures.
As the national winner, Brikoole received RM29,300 to support further development and commercialisation. The team plans to refine the prototype by transitioning from a wood PLA mesh to a more efficient 3D-printed ceramic structure. They are also preparing to conduct comprehensive real-world testing in tropical environments and explore design variations to cater to different building types and regional climates.
Sharon Yap, Head of Technology Development at Dyson, praised Brikoole as a shining example of innovative thinking by young engineers. “Global warming continues to have a huge impact on Malaysia, and I am glad that our future generations are creating sustainable solutions to this problem. The James Dyson Award will provide a great platform for the team to further their invention, and I am hopeful that Brikoole will help protect our planet from further degradation.”
Brikoole will now move forward to the next stage of the James Dyson Award. The international Top 20 shortlist, selected by Dyson engineers, will be announced on 16 October, with global winners chosen by James Dyson on 13 November.
Runners-Up
NEAR Exergame: Addressing the monotonous rehabilitation process for stroke survivors, NEAR Exergame combines therapeutic exercises with interactive gaming to make recovery more engaging and effective.
Floodsack: Developed to protect belongings during floods, Floodsack improves buoyancy and weight capacity during flooding events. The team also plans to develop larger versions for flood aid and humanitarian use, alongside complementary flood meters and related technologies.
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