ECO-SUSTAINABLE FOG COLLECTION IN ARID CLIMATES
Lead Research Organisation:
Durham University
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Approximately one billion people live without access to clean water sources in rural areas of African, Asian and Latin American countries. Therefore the issue of water shortage and scarcity is one of major global concern. In contrast indigenous plants found in such arid and semi-arid locations readily cope with insufficient access to fresh water and lack of precipitation. Fog episodes occur frequently in many of these regions which help to augment water supplies for such native botanic species through dew and fog collection, as well as water vapour absorption. Inspired by nature, this project aims to fabricate 3-dimensional replicas which utilise fog interception for the provision of clean water in arid and semi-arid regions. The work will seek to gain a much better understanding of the science underlying the formation and behaviour of water drops on plant surfaces during fog episodes which enable a wide range of replicate structures to be developed. This cross-disciplinary programme of research is strongly underpinned by world leading expertise in the field of functional surfaces which will undertake the identification and replication of the structure, chemistry, and functionality of fog harvesting plants. Beneficiaries of the research will include international development, industry, as well as academic scientists working in the fields of surface science, materials science, and fluid mechanics. A successful outcome for this research programme would make a significant impact on the daily lives of millions of poor people living in arid climates.
Planned Impact
The investigator has a good track record for translating basic scientific ideas developed in his laboratory through to commercialisation and the wider world. In this project, the primary driver is targeting not-for-profit causes which will include a dedicated internet website cataloguing the fog harvesting efficiencies of plants, education programmes for fog harvesting through botanic gardens, and international development (in collaboration with the United Nations Drylands Development Centre). In the latter case, it is envisaged that the provision of cost-effective clean water supply to communities living in arid climates would make a significant improvement to the lives of millions of people who currently have no access to clean water sources in rural arid and semi-arid areas of African, Asian, and Latin American countries. Commercial benefits envisaged from the work could include: improving the efficiency of fluid collection in applications such as food processing, filtration, and air dehumidifiers. In appropriate cases, Durham University will file patents and negotiate licensing agreements with industrial end-users. The applicant will make use of personal contacts gained through previous collaborations with over 100 companies from around the world. Some of the novel fog collection mechanisms which are identified may be of benefit to sports competitors, for instance by improving the management of perspiration in clothing. Such features would also be of relevance to the defence sector (for instance combat uniforms in hot climates such as Iraq or Afghanistan). For both of these prospects, the applicant has a working relationship with UK Sport (Olympic team) and Ministry of Defence from earlier collaborations.Finally, the expertise developed by research staff working on the project will be of relevance to potential future employers in all the abovementioned sectors.
People |
ORCID iD |
Jas Pal Badyal (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Andrews H
(2014)
Bioinspired hook surfaces based upon a ubiquitous weed ( Galium aparine ) for dry adhesion
in Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology
Bethany Halford
(2018)
Can stripping the air of its moisture quench the world's thirst?
in C&EN Global Enterprise
Brown PS
(2014)
Ultrafast oleophobic-hydrophilic switching surfaces for antifogging, self-cleaning, and oil-water separation.
in ACS applied materials & interfaces
Castaneda-Montes I
(2018)
Atomised spray plasma deposition of hierarchical superhydrophobic nanocomposite surfaces
in Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
Dhillon P
(2014)
Topographical length scales of hierarchical superhydrophobic surfaces
in Applied Surface Science
Gürsoy M
(2017)
Bioinspired asymmetric-anisotropic (directional) fog harvesting based on the arid climate plant Eremopyrum orientale
in Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
Gürsoy M
(2017)
Bioinspired fog capture and channel mechanism based on the arid climate plant Salsola crassa
in Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
Patel P
(2018)
A Conversation with Jas Pal Badyal-This Chemist Wants to Solve Problems in the Developing World with Ultrathin Coatings
in ACS Central Science
Patel P
(2018)
Coatings Entrepreneur wants to use his Ultrathin Films to Solve Problems in the Developing World
in Chemical Engineering News
Ritchie A
(2019)
Bioinspired multifunctional polymer-nanoparticle-surfactant complex nanocomposite surfaces for antibacterial oil-water separation
in Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
Description | Breathable water harvesting structures. Fog harvesting structures. |
Exploitation Route | Application in developing countries for water collection and architecture. |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Agriculture, Food and Drink,Construction,Environment |
URL | https://vimeo.com/268415167 |
Description | 1) The Role of Biomimicry in Tackling Biodiversity Loss and Public Health Challenges (Panel Speaker alongside Nobel Prize Laureate Robert Lawrence and World Health Organisation) World Biodiversity Forum Davos, Switzerland 23-28 February 2020 2) Inspired by Biodiversity - Designing Biomimetic Solutions to Global Challenges (Panel Speaker) World Biodiversity Forum Davos, Switzerland 23-28 February 2020 3) Garden of Secrets documentary (in collaboration with University of British Columbia, Canada: https://vimeo.com/268415167 http://thegardenofsecrets.com/ http://thegardenofsecrets.com/documentary/ o Worldwide premiere, at Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, 5th and Madison Avenues, New York, 18 May 2019. As part of Nature-Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial exhibition, presenting the work of sixty-two international design teams. Collaborations involve scientists, engineers, advocates for social and environmental justice, artists, and philosophers. Engagement with nature in innovative and ground-breaking ways, driven by a profound awareness of climate change and ecological crises as much as advances in science and technology. o San Francisco Design Week, San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers, USA, 27 June 2019 o Beaty Biodiversity Museum, Vancouver, Canada, 27 June 2019 o Science World, British Columbia, Canada. Daily film screening, and nightly screening once per week throughout summer 2019 (theatre capacity 400 per viewing). o Design For America; Ford Motor Company Engineering Design Center, Chicago, USA; 9 August 2019 o Seattle Design Festival, Northwest Film Forum, Seattle, USA; 25 August 2019 o Nature Conservancy of Canada, Manitoba, Canada; 16 October 2019 o UK Screenings, University of Warwick; 14 September, 5 October, 19 October 2019 o Jardin Botanico, University of Puebla, Mexico; 17 January 2020 o Toronto Design Festival, Canada; 19 January 2020 |
First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
Sector | Creative Economy,Education,Environment,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
Impact Types | Societal |
Description | Biosecuirty Toolbox |
Amount | $267,500 (NZD) |
Funding ID | New Zealand Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment CAWX1904 |
Organisation | Government of New Zealand |
Sector | Public |
Country | New Zealand |
Start | 10/2019 |
End | 09/2024 |
Description | Royal Society Newton International Fellowships Scheme |
Amount | £97,278 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NF170155 |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2018 |
End | 02/2020 |
Title | A METHOD FOR FORMING OLEOPHOBIC-HYDROPHILIC COATINGS INCLUDING PARTICLES AND/OR NANO-PARTICLES, A COATING FORMED THEREBY AND AN ARTICLE TO WHICH THE COATING IS APPLIED |
Description | The invention to which this application relates is apparatus and a method for applying coatings to improve the ability to provide Oleophobic and/or Hydrophilic surfaces on an item and the coating includes particles and/or nano particles to enhance the performance characteristics of the coating. |
IP Reference | WO2018096327 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2018 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | Northern Accelerator funding for sample testing by industrial companies. |
Title | LIQUID MOVEMENT AND/OR COLLECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD |
Description | The invention relates to the provision of apparatus which includes a panel, and the panel itself, for the at least partial collection and/or movement of liquid across a surface thereof, typically the surface on which the liquid impacts, said panel formed by a series of members which are respectfully located and formed so as to define a plurality of slots and/or apertures in the said panel whilst the same are provided in a form to ensure that a significant proportion of the liquid passes along the surface on which the same impacts to be collected and/ or dispensed from the panel rather than passing through the said slots and/or apertures. |
IP Reference | WO2016185222 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2016 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | None as yet. |
Title | ULTRA FAST OLEOPHOBIC- HYDROPHILIC SWITCHING SURFACES |
Description | The invention provides a coating which exhibits fast oleophobic-hydrophilic switching behaviour with, for example, equilibration of high oil contact angle (hexadecane = 80°) and low water contact angle (<10°) values which occur within 10 s of droplet impact. These optically transparent surfaces display excellent anti-fogging and self-cleaning properties. The magnitude of oleophobic-hydrophilic switching can be further enhanced by the incorporation of surface roughness and in one embodiment the coating is applied to a surface in the form of a mesh in order to form an effective filter. |
IP Reference | WO2015075446 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2015 |
Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
Impact | Nil |
Description | Garden of Secrets Documentary (in collaboration with University of British Columbia, Canada) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Garden of Secrets documentary (in collaboration with University of British Columbia, Canada: https://vimeo.com/268415167 http://thegardenofsecrets.com/ http://thegardenofsecrets.com/documentary/ o Worldwide premiere, at Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, 5th and Madison Avenues, New York, 18 May 2019. As part of Nature-Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial exhibition, presenting the work of sixty-two international design teams. Collaborations involve scientists, engineers, advocates for social and environmental justice, artists, and philosophers. Engagement with nature in innovative and ground-breaking ways, driven by a profound awareness of climate change and ecological crises as much as advances in science and technology. o San Francisco Design Week, San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers, USA, 27 June 2019 o Beaty Biodiversity Museum, Vancouver, Canada, 27 June 2019 o Science World, British Columbia, Canada. Daily film screening, and nightly screening once per week throughout summer 2019 (theatre capacity 400 per viewing). o Design For America; Ford Motor Company Engineering Design Center, Chicago, USA; 9 August 2019 o Seattle Design Festival, Northwest Film Forum, Seattle, USA; 25 August 2019 o Nature Conservancy of Canada, Manitoba, Canada; 16 October 2019 o UK Screenings, University of Warwick; 14 September, 5 October, 19 October 2019 o Jardin Botanico, University of Puebla, Mexico; 17 January 2020 o Toronto Design Festival, Canada; 19 January 2020 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |
URL | http://thegardenofsecrets.com/ |
Description | World Biodiversity Forum 2020, Davos, Switzerland |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
Results and Impact | The Role of Biomimicry in Tackling Biodiversity Loss and Public Health Challenges (Panel Speaker alongside Nobel Prize Laureate Robert Lawrence and World Health Organisation) World Biodiversity Forum Davos, Switzerland 23-28 February 2020 Inspired by Biodiversity - Designing Biomimetic Solutions to Global Challenges (Panel Speaker) World Biodiversity Forum Davos, Switzerland 23-28 February 2020 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.worldbiodiversityforum.org/ |