University of Richmond

Projects 2024

Ivy Sparks

Finalist Project

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.

Instructors 2024

University of Richmond is a student-led team led by Jeff Tsai and Tatum Hoffman with Somiah Lattimore and Andrew Ilnicki as the faculty advisors.