VA Tech scientists are building a better fog harp
10 months ago
- #fog-harvesting
- #water-technology
- #sustainability
- Arid coastal regions prone to fog are ideal for fog-harvesting devices, especially during droughts.
- Standard fog-harvesting technology is prone to clogging, prompting improvements like the 'fog harp'.
- Fog harvesting dates back to ancient practices, such as the Incas using buckets to collect condensation.
- Certain insects, like Namib desert beetles, use wing structures to condense and collect water.
- Modern fog harvesters use mesh nets with hydrophobic or hydrophilic coatings to capture water droplets.
- Efficiency depends on filament and hole size, with smaller sizes risking clogging and reduced efficiency.
- The fog harp, introduced in 2018, uses vertical wires without horizontal ones to prevent clogging.
- Inspired by California redwoods, the fog harp mimics their parallel needle-like leaves for water collection.