The Research Greenhouse Project
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The Garden and Kent State University’s Liquid Crystal Institute Collaborate on Pioneering Research Partnership
Project Aims to Control Sunlight, Extend Growing Season and Conserve Energy
The Partnership
Cleveland Botanical Garden and Kent State University’s Liquid Crystal Institute recently announced a partnership to determine the potential of liquid crystal technology for creating more sustainable, energy-efficient greenhouses. By combining the expertise of the Garden and the University, the partnership could, in effect, control sunlight, extending the plant growing season and conserving energy.
The Project
This spring, the Garden staff constructed two small greenhouses just outside the Herb Garden. One of the greenhouses contains the liquid crystal panels and the other, a control, has plain glass.
The Garden and the University officially unveiled the first phase of this project on Wednesday, April 30 at a ceremony on Wade Oval. During the ceremony, a demonstration revealed how the panes “switch” to manage the amount of sunlight that enters the greenhouse.
The research team will soon begin comparing the plant growth, temperature, light levels and energy used in each greenhouse. Through this research, the Garden and the University aim to create a fully automated “smart” greenhouse that is easily programmed to provide the ideal growing environment for a variety of plants. Make sure you check out our progress and explore how liquid crystal panels work on your next visit to the Garden.