Lightweight Water Collection System Inspired by Darkling Beetles

Innovation: Industry

Warka Water

2017

Image: Bernard DuPont / Flickr / CC BY - Creative Commons Attribution alone

Capture, Absorb, or Filter Liquids

The most common liquid used by living systems is water, which they require to survive. But there are many other liquids that provide nourishment, play a role in defense mechanisms, or serve other purposes. Water varies in its availability; it is sometimes plentiful and sometimes very scarce or only available as fog or mist. To minimize the energy required to capture, absorb, or filter liquids, living systems have strategies that take advantage of the unique properties of the given liquid. For example, water moves from a gaseous to liquid state when it encounters a surface colder than the air. Plants in forests that experience fog and clouds more than rain have strategies that condense liquid water from moist air.

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Store Liquids

Many living systems must store liquids, such as water or nectar, so that it is available over long periods of time, including when moisture levels are low. Because of their properties, liquids tend to disperse unless they are confined in some way. Each liquid has its own unique properties. For example, water is polar, exhibiting a strong negative charge on one side of the molecule and a strong positive charge on the other. Living systems have strategies to confine fluids by taking advantage of these properties. A good example of taking advantage of water’s polarity is using materials that repel water. In doing so, a living system can keep water on one side of a barrier, such as a membrane.

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Warka Tower from Warka Water uses a mesh net to collect water from humid air.

Benefits

Zero energy use
Inexpensive
Easy to build

Applications

Residential water collection and storage

UN Sustainable Development Goals Addressed

Goal 3: Good Health & Wellbeing
Goal 6: Clean Water & Sanitation
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities

The Challenge

A major health problem in developing countries is the spread of diseases perpetuated by the lack of clean water and sanitation systems. Often contaminated by human and animal waste, the impact of tainted water on the health of communities is severe. Each year, many people die of diarrhea and other illnesses, such as malnutrition, pneumonia and malaria. In many areas of the world, gathering water can be a strenuous or dangerous task. Additionally, systems that transport and create potable water can be expensive and complicated.

Innovation Details

Warka Tower is made of a bamboo frame that supports a mesh polyester material. It costs very little to make and is easy to build. Atmospheric water vapor from either rain, fog, or dew condenses against the cold surface of the mesh, forming droplets of liquid water that trickle down into a reservoir found at the bottom of the structure, similar to how a darkling beetle collects water from fog. A fabric canopy shades the lower sections of the tower to prevent the collected water from evaporating.

Atmospheric water vapor condenses against the cold surface of the Warka Tower mesh, forming droplets of liquid water that trickle down into a reservoir. Photo: Warka Water.

Biological Model

Darkling beetles live in the Namib Desert, one of the driest habitats in the world. They get the water they need from dew and ocean fog in the air. The beetle has special tips and bumps on its wing scales that help it to collect water. Water in the air condenses on the tips to form water droplets, which then flow off the bumps and into the beetle’s mouth.

See Related Strategy

Biological Strategy

The Beetles That Drink Water From Air

Darkling beetles

Darkling beetle wing covers and body postures help condense water from humid air.

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