Research Highlight #3: Revolutionizing Controlled-Environment Agriculture (CEA) with Cost-Effective, Climate-Smart Technology
To tackle the interlinked challenges of food security, sustainability, and climate change, controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) must undergo transformative, climate-smart adaptations. At the forefront of this transformation, Dr. Bahrami and his team have pioneered a scalable, cost-effective Sorption Heat Transformer technology鈥攁 breakthrough platform that redefines sustainable climate control for agriculture.
This game-changing system enables integrated cooling, heating, dehumidification, atmospheric water harvesting, and CO鈧� capture/enrichment, all powered by low-grade heat sources around 90掳C, with minimal electricity requirement. By efficiently converting, storing and upcycling waste heat鈥攅specially from underutilized sources like industrial processes, data centers, biomass, or solar thermal panels鈥攖his technology harnesses a renewable resource that is often readily available at minimal cost.
Taking a holistic approach, Dr. Bahrami's team has systematically enhanced efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, positioning the Sorption Heat Transformer technology for large-scale testing and commercialization. This innovation is set to redefine the economics and environmental impact of CEA, paving the way for more resilient and sustainable agricultural practices.
