Electrostatically Enhanced Fog Harvesting
An innovative approach to water collection using high-voltage electrical fields to enhance fog harvesting efficiency. Inspired by groundbreaking MIT research on space charge injection.
Research Context
This project is based on a pioneering 2018 MIT study titled "Electrostatically driven fog collection using space charge injection". The research demonstrated that by applying an electrical charge of approximately 10,000 volts to fog droplets using an ion emitter, water droplets can be electrostatically attracted to a grounded collection mesh, significantly improving collection efficiency compared to traditional passive fog nets.
The MIT team showed that this technique could increase water collection rates by up to 3 times, making it a promising solution for arid regions where fog is present but rainfall is scarce.
System Architecture
The system consists of several key components working together to enhance fog collection efficiency:
Ion Emitter (35kV)
High-voltage ion emitter charges incoming fog droplets with electrical charges, preparing them for electrostatic attraction.
Collection Mesh
Grounded mesh electrode that attracts charged droplets through electrostatic forces, significantly increasing capture efficiency.
Water Collection
Captured water droplets coalesce on the mesh and flow down to a collection reservoir for storage and distribution.
Implementation & Research
This project explores the practical implementation of electrostatically enhanced fog harvesting, investigating optimal voltage levels, electrode configurations, and environmental conditions for maximum water collection efficiency. The research focuses on making this technology accessible and scalable for real-world applications in water-scarce regions.
Potential Applications
Water-Scarce Regions
Provide sustainable water sources in coastal desert regions with regular fog presence.
Agricultural Irrigation
Support small-scale farming operations in areas where traditional water sources are limited.
Remote Communities
Enable water independence for isolated communities in fog-prone mountainous areas.