To survive the hot and arid environment of Southwest Africa, the Namib desert beetle has evolved with a shell that is able to draw water from mist and air.
Initial sketches
Andrew
Self-cleaning surfaces
Detoxification
Water collector
Air purification
Oliver
Reforestation
Water filtration
self-degrading polymers
Precedent 1
Structure of a beetle shell
Key Structure
Precedent 2
General Concept for what we were aiming for
Precedent 3
Another example of water collection
Final Sketch
Cardboard Prototype
Central Axle
Leaves
Electronics Storage Space
Water Collection Tank
Funnel
Proof of Concept
Previous Updates
The foam was able to have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic coating thanks to its bumps
( Feature scrapped )
Water sensor to detect and initiate the solenoid to function
( Feature modified )
Solenoid functions remained
All Electronics
Feedback from Midreview:
Storage for Electronics
Solenoid Compatability
Leaf Layers
Time!
Laser-cut a piece of wood
Cover it with a smooth layer of tin foil (for heat conductivity)
Spray paint with superhydrophobic coating
Use the previous method to print on the hydrophilic grids
The CCI camera was not working for one day so we'll just jump to the final protytype.
Leaves
Box for electronics
Central Rod
Lego pieces + wooden sticks to stabilize piston
Piston
Piston Relay
Velcro
Arduino
Breadboard
Final Code
Translation:
(Set A0, 7, 8 to Output, A1 to input)
If the water sensor senses water, turn on the green light; otherwise, turn off the green light.
If the timer reaches 2.5 minutes, trigger the piston twice and reset the timer.
Overall Image
Central Rod triggers every 2.5 minutes
Water sensor
(If sensed water, flash green light and stop piston)
Velcro between two boxes
Batteries
Water Container
Notice that we changed designs from funnel to sideways collection since the piston cannot reach out vertically from the electronics box
Unfortunately...
This device only somewhat works. Why?
Dew point
If we had more time...
Add cooling chips to leaves / directly make the leaves from cooling chips
