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Smart Hydroponic Planter +A Hydroponic Planter designed to incorporate a Fog Basking beetle's ability of trapping moisture from the atmosphere.Industrial Design | 2 weeks | February 2022

Brief'fog' is a Hydroponic Planter Concept inspired by a Fog Basking beetle's ability of trapping moisture from the atmosphere. The Fog Basking beetle native to the Namibia deserts is an insect the condenses fog on its exterior shell and redirects the water to its mouth. Scientists are still trying to crack the secret behind how it does this, looking at the size of the beetle, it should not be able to condense such large amounts of fog on its body. Research suggests that this might occur due to structural variations present at a micro level on the beetles shell. These micro bumps increase the shells surface area by upto 60% enabling the beetle to condense large amounts of water. The bumps also magically redirect the water to the beetles mouth and are stored as droplets under its limbs for later consumption. Determining what gives the beetle its ability could help solve water crises throughout the Namibia deserts. Current fog catching nets that stretch upto 20 - 30 feet in height and length are nowhere close to producing the amount of water a single beetle traps in comparison to its surface area. The above product designed for the future, channels fog or air with high humidity through its central tunnel condensing it on the inner walls of the planter. The water is then absorbed and redirected to the plants using capillary action through the earthen pot. 

ProductThe design of the product is executed to maximises its utility and function. Using the Coanda effect, a technology commonly used in jet engines and blade less fans, the planter increases its air intake, reducing the amount of power needed by the central fan. The inside of the earthen pot has a tunnel gradually expanding towards the bottom. Air sucked in from the valve travels along the tunnel walls due to the Coanda effect creating a partial low pressure zone in the centre, in order to equalise the pressure more air is sucked in, this increases airflow by upto 15 times. The earthen pot has nano pours running throughout its internal structure. The inner walls of the pot have been fabricated to replicate the same micro structure present on the Fog Basking beetles shell. The condensed water is immediately absorbed into the walls of the pot travelling through the pours into the plant roots using capillary action. Incase of high humidity/fog, the base has a drip tray present to collect excess water. A touch sensitive indicator panel helps the user to regulate airflow depending on the plants water needs.  

fogSmart Hydroponic Planter