Brikoole, the winner of the James Dyson Award 2024 in Malaysia, introduces a revolutionary passive cooling system that reduces indoor temperatures without relying on external energy. Designed by Wayne Chong and Nixon Ng from the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Brikoole addresses rising energy consumption by utilizing controlled airflow and evaporative cooling to cool down buildings. This system comes at a time when Malaysia, ranking third in global carbon emissions, faces an increasing need for sustainable solutions.
Inspired by ancient natural ventilation systems, Brikoole integrates seamlessly into a building’s structure with ventilation holes and an internal humid mesh system. Currently 3D-printed from wood PLA, the mesh cools air through evaporation, creating a comfortable indoor environment. The team plans to transition the material to ceramic for better performance, with early tests showing a reduction of indoor temperatures by up to 6.2°C.
As a James Dyson Award winner, Brikoole will receive MYR 29,300 to further develop the product. The next steps involve refining the design, conducting real-world testing, and customizing the system for different building types and climates.
Runners-Up
- NEAR Exergame: A rehabilitation tool that combines therapeutic exercises with gaming to create a more engaging recovery process for stroke survivors, utilizing AI for personalized therapy.
- Floodsack: A buoyant, single-use storage solution that helps keep belongings afloat during floods, developed to assist communities affected by Malaysia’s growing flood challenges.
The James Dyson Award continues to inspire young engineers worldwide, offering prize money and opportunities to scale impactful innovations.