Innovative: Chong (left) and Ng posing with their ‘breathable brick’. – James Dyson Award
Brikoole, a groundbreaking invention that aims to combat increasing energy consumption and demand for electricity, is Malaysia’s entry for the prestigious James Dyson Award.
The brainchild of Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) graduating students Wayne Chong Chee Kin, 23, and Nixon Ng Kah Zun, 22, the passive cooling system is designed to be integrated within a building’s structure.
It was announced as the national winner of the international design award on Sept 11.
Brikoole will progress to the next stage of the competition, where the international Top 20 shortlist, selected by Dyson engineers, will be announced on Oct 16, and the global winners will be chosen by Sir James Dyson on Nov 13.
Ng and Chong, who received RM29,300 for their efforts, said the prize money will be used for the development and commercialisation of Brikoole.
They expressed their commitment to conducting comprehensive real-world testing in tropical climates and exploring potential design variations to cater to specific building types and regional climate challenges.
With climate change being a key concern for the duo, Chong, who holds a Bachelor of Mechatronic Engineering with Honours, and Ng, a final-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Industrial Design, came up with their winning invention by using controlled airflow and evaporative cooling methods to reduce indoor temperatures without relying on external energy sources.
Inspired by natural ventilation systems like termite mounds, wind catchers and Salsabil fountains, Brikoole employs a multilayered approach to achieve its cooling effect.
The exterior of the brick features strategically placed ventilation holes that allow air to enter. This air then passes through an intricate internal structure – currently, a 3D-printed mesh made of wood PLA, with plans to transition to ceramic in the final design.
The mesh is kept consistently moist via an integrated water distribution system. As air traverses this humid environment, evaporation occurs, effectively cooling the air. This cooled air is channelled into the building’s interior, creating a refreshing and comfortable atmosphere.
In tropical climates like Malaysia, Brikoole can reduce temperatures by up to 6.2 degrees Celsius, achieving a comfortable 31 degrees Celsius compared to 37 degrees Celsius.
Therefore, it decreases reliance on active cooling, such as air conditioners.
Over time, electricity consumption and carbon emissions associated with fossil fuel generation can be reduced significantly.
Brikoole distinguishes itself in sustainable architecture by uniquely incorporating evaporative cooling directly into the building material.
Unlike conventional passive cooling methods, which often require separate systems or extensive architectural changes, the duo’s solution is naturally modular and scalable.
Brikoole can be effortlessly integrated into a wide range of building designs and styles, making sustainable cooling more versatile and accessible.
“The main motivation behind Brikoole came from observing the increasing energy consumption and environmental impact of traditional air conditioning systems in tropical climates.
“Someone whom I care about recently had a spike in their electricity bill to an amount that is severely affecting their family’s financial status. This led me to dive deep into this problem,” Ng shared in a press release.
Chong said the prototype took two months to research, test and develop.
“From our tests, we learnt that using the right geometry pattern was important in achieving optimum results,” he said.
APU School of Media, Arts and Design (SoMAD) lecturer Eekang Ooi, who mentored the duo, said the integration of engineering principles with design creativity can lead to innovative solutions.
“A balanced approach between artistic design and fundamental engineering knowledge allows students to not only address complex challenges but also transform creative ideas into tangible, functional products.
“Brikoole stands as a perfect example of this teaching philosophy in action,” Ooi added.
SoMAD head Debbie Liew Pooi Kuan said having secured the national runner-up position in 2022, being named national champion in both 2021 and 2020, along with this latest success, is a testament to the dedication of APU students and faculty to developing forward-thinking solutions for real-world challenges.
Describing Brikoole as a “wonderful example” of how young local engineers can bring a fresh perspective to age-old problems, Dyson technology development head Sharon Yap expressed her joy that future generations are creating sustainable solutions to global warming, which continues to have a huge impact on Malaysia.
“The James Dyson Award will provide a great platform for the team to further their invention, and I am hopeful that Brikoole will help to protect our planet from further degradation,” she said.
The runner-up winners of the James Dyson Award were teams from Universiti Sains Malaysia and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, which presented a rehabilitation device that combines therapeutic exercises with gaming elements to make the recovery process for stroke survivors less daunting, and a buoyant storage bag for floods to keep valuables safe, respectively.
