Background

Conventionally, the need to provide shelter from rain is achieved by providing fully enclosed buildings and structures with selectively openable windows and doors. In many, hotter countries, there is also a need for the building and structures to be provided at a temperature which is comfortable to live and work in and the conventional solution, where possible is for air conditioning units to be installed and/ or relatively sophisticated ventilation systems to be installed. However, these make the buildings significantly more expensive and are a drain on resources which means that the availability of the same is restricted, use of the same can be part time only and/ or the provision of the same may not be financially feasible at all for many of the population.

In addition, it is estimated that some one in ten people across the world do not have access to clean drinking water and there is a great majority of these people located in poorer countries. There is a clear need to provide affordable, eco-sustainable apparatus and methods for water movement and/ or collection and particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, to be able to provide the apparatus and a method in a form which can be implemented in poorer countries of the world.

Technology Overview

Thuja plicata, a coniferous tree whose natural habitat is North Western America, displays remarkable water channelling properties during torrential rainfall, where the ground underneath its extended branches remains dry despite possessing an open structure allowing the passage of sunlight. Observation of the Thuja plicata tree has inspired researchers at Durham University to develop biomimetic meshes and roof tiles that can channel and collect water.

The invention provides an apparatus for the collection and/or movement of water to be achieved whilst at the same time allowing the passage of air.

Stage of Development

A prototype has been created and tested, demonstrating the water channelling properties described. The effect of pore size on the performance of the mesh has been quantified. The technology is described in the following journal publication: von Spreckelsen, R. M. et al. Bioinspired Breathable Architecture for Water Harvesting. Sci. Rep. 5, 16798; doi: 10.1038/srep16798 (2015).

Benefits

Collection of rainwater
Maintains the circulation of air in water climates
Water collection in drought areas
Light transparent
Channels liquids for manufacturing processes without the need for piping / tubing
Easier to access and clean that tubing

Applications

Water collection panels
Breathable and light transparent architectural materials (agriculture, transport, photovoltaics, residential buildings and offices
Waterproof, breathable fabrics
Fog harvesting nets
Saline‑free water collection on boats
Eco‑friendly breathable slanted windows or roofing (reducing air conditioning use)
Filtration
Channeling liquids in industrial manufacturing

Opportunity

Durham University is seeking expressions of interest from suitably positioned industry partners to take forward the commercial development of these bioinspired surfaces.

Biomimetic Liquid Handling Surface - A Water Channeling System Inspired by Nature

Patents

IP Status

Seeking