Heat Smarter, Not Harder: Increase Global Energy Efficiency

"Green technology starts with bold ideas—help us bring ours to life."

The issue:

Air-cooled systems are everywhere, silently shaping the environments we live and work in. Like traditional ACs, healthcare facilities and data centers consume vast amounts of energy for cooling, accounting for a concerning value of 0.25% of global GDP.

A core issue that is hidden in these systems is biofilm formation, which increases energy use and raises the risk of HAIs (healthcare-associated infections). These robust microbial layers not only decrease heat conduction, forcing systems to work harder and waste energy, but they also become breeding grounds for harmful pathogens. Conventional harsh chemical treatments can damage equipment and endanger health.

The solution:

We're tackling this growing problem with an eco-friendly, high-performance coating strategy. As the 2025 UM iGEM team, we are aiming to genetically engineer a bacterium to produce modified spider silk proteins. These proteins will bind to the copper surface, thus preventing bacterial biofilm formation without reducing the thermal conductivity of the system. This additional layer eliminates the need for chemical disinfectants, reduces maintenance, and keeps systems thermally efficient and microbe-free. Our approach supports a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future for cooling-intensive industries—from hospitals and data centers to your home.