Design of modular hydroponic wall system for household urban farming using additive manufacturing

Abstract

With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has made many countries experience unexpected global risks and emergencies. This has resulted in a massive global economy impact and food insecurity in both developed and developing countries. Due to COVID-19, it has significantly impacted the food availability, prices, export costs, and food quality in several countries and caused food supply chain to be substantially affecting numerous households in obtaining fresh and nutrient dense food. In addition, due to combined effects of the lockdown and movement restrictions, more people are forced to stay at home. As a result of this, a high surge in household urban farming can be seen as most families are developing interest in growing their own crops for self-sustain or as a hobby. Through urban farming, it promotes users to grow their own edible crops through multiple ways such as hydroponics, aquaponic, aeroponics and even having a rooftop greenhouse. Beside growing edible crops, it can also be used to beautify the landscapes or even treated as a household beauty structure. This project will explore more into the modular aspect of household urban farming structures through the use of additive manufacturing to allow users more customizability to their system. In addition, within this project multiple tests are conducted with different unique designs to test the fluid flow rate and how it will affect the entire hydroponic system.