University of Richmond - Ivy Sparks (2024)

Jeff Tsai, Tatum Hoffman, Vanessa Giraldo-Castaño
Ivy Sparks explores the relationship between electricity and flora, conceptualizing plants as both generators and conduits focused on the invasive plant English Ivy. The project is a green, grassroots alternative to traditional power supplies through a plant microbial fuel cell (PMFC) prototype that creates bioelectricity generated by microbial populations in symbiosis with the ivy. By using this naturally occurring system, Ivy Sparks offers energy independence by reducing reliance on environmentally harmful industries.