May 2, 2008

“Smart” Greenhouse Research Project UnveiledSource: Kent State News

A pioneering research project exploring the potential of liquid crystal technology for creating more sustainable, energy-efficient greenhouses is now in full swing.

Cleveland Botanical Garden and Kent State University’s Liquid Crystal Institute unveiled two greenhouses that will be used in the first phase of the research project during an event at Wade Oval last week. One of the greenhouses contains liquid crystal panels and the other, a control, has plain glass. A demonstration revealed how the panes switch to manage the amount of sunlight that enters the greenhouse, according to a Kent State News press release.

The initiative highlights their commitment to sustainability and conservation, said Natalie Ronayne, executive director of Cleveland Botanical Garden, in a press release. “The energy crisis and corresponding global climate change issues call for increasing partnerships to contemplate alternatives, educate the public and push ourselves to maximize our energy conservation and minimize our footprint on the earth,” Ronayne said.

The joint research project reflects the need to think outside the box and tackle issues through multiple disciplines, said Kent State University President Dr. Lester A. Lefton.

The results from the experiment unveiled last week will be collected in the next several years, according to the press release. Through the research, the botanical garden and Kent State aim to create a fully automated “smart” greenhouse that is easily programmed to provide the ideal growing environment for a variety of plants.

For more information, contact Molly Molpus at Cleveland Botanical Garden at mmolpus@cbgarden.org or (216) 707-2814, or Scott Rainone at Kent State University at srainone@kent.ed or (330) 221-4272.