📘 SayPro AquaHarvest – Supporting Scientific and Technical Documentation
🧪 Submitted to:
SayPro Development Competitions Office
For: SayPro Monthly May SCDR-3 Science and Innovation Competition
Project Title: SayPro AquaHarvest: Smart Atmospheric Water Harvesting for Climate-Resilient Communities
🔍 1. Introduction to Atmospheric Water Harvesting (AWH)
Atmospheric Water Harvesting (AWH) is a sustainable water generation technique that captures moisture from the air in the form of dew, fog, or humidity, converting it into usable water. This method is particularly useful in regions where groundwater is depleted or rainfall is erratic, such as semi-arid and arid parts of Africa.
SayPro AquaHarvest integrates advanced materials, renewable energy, and digital monitoring tools to create an efficient, self-sustaining AWH system for underserved communities.
⚙️ 2. Core Technologies and Components
A. Fog and Dew Collection Mesh
- Technology Basis: Biomimicry of the Namib Desert beetle (Stenocara gracilipes), which harvests water using hydrophilic bumps on a hydrophobic surface.
- Materials:
- Polypropylene mesh: Common, inexpensive fog-catching material.
- Nano-coated mesh: Coated with graphene oxide, silica, or titanium dioxide, which improves condensation efficiency through hydrophilic-hydrophobic patterning.
- Scientific Principle: Water vapor in humid air condenses on cold surfaces. By designing surfaces that promote droplet formation and drainage, water is efficiently collected.
B. Solar Power System
- Components:
- 10–30W solar panel
- Rechargeable lithium battery
- Low-power charge controller
- Function:
- Powers the IoT sensor system and optional active cooling elements.
- Scientific Basis: Photovoltaic effect—solar cells convert sunlight into electricity, enabling off-grid operation of the system.
C. IoT and Data Collection System
- Sensors Used:
- BME280 or DHT22: Measures temperature, humidity, and pressure.
- YF-S201 Flow Sensor: Measures water yield.
- ESP32 Microcontroller: Low-power device to collect and transmit data.
- Connectivity:
- GSM module (SIM800L) or LoRaWAN module for data transmission in remote areas.
- Purpose:
- Enables remote monitoring of water output, performance, and environmental conditions.
- Helps predict optimal harvesting times via integration with weather APIs.
D. Water Storage and Filtration (Optional Add-On)
- Basic gravity-fed filter system with activated carbon and sand filtration for additional water purification.
- Scientific basis: Physical adsorption and sedimentation to remove debris and improve taste/safety.
🔬 3. Scientific and Climatic Justification
A. Ideal Conditions for AWH
- Relative Humidity (RH): AWH is effective when RH > 60%.
- Temperature differential: Nights with high humidity and low surface temperatures favor dew formation.
- Target Regions: Coastal zones, mountainous areas, and mist belt regions across Southern and East Africa.
B. Research Findings
- Studies by MIT, ETH Zurich, and the International Fog Harvesting Network have shown yields of:
- Up to 20 L/day per 1 m² fog net in optimal conditions.
- Dew harvesting potential of 0.3–0.8 L/m²/day in dry but humid areas.
- Trials in Morocco, South Africa, and Chile have proven AWH to be sustainable and community-manageable.
📈 4. Performance Metrics and Efficiency Targets
| Component | Metric | Target Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Mesh Yield | L/m²/day | 10–30 liters per unit/day |
| Sensor Accuracy | ± RH, Temp, Flow | ±3% RH, ±0.5°C temp |
| System Uptime | Daily operational hours | >90% uptime |
| Solar Autonomy | Battery backup duration | 48 hours minimum |
| Maintenance Need | Frequency of service | ≤ 2 times/month |
🧰 5. Prototyping and Testing Plan
Lab Tests:
- Condensation rates across different mesh coatings.
- Water flow rate under variable humidity and wind speed.
- Energy efficiency of solar + IoT combination.
Field Tests:
- Pilot deployments in 5 communities (varied terrain and climate).
- Data collected over 60 days to evaluate yield and user experience.
👥 6. Community Science and Capacity Building
SayPro AquaHarvest includes:
- Hands-on training modules for youth (assembly, coding, sensor maintenance).
- STEM integration into local school curriculums.
- Use of citizen science principles—communities help collect and analyze water and climate data.
🌱 7. Innovation Summary
| Feature | Innovation Element |
|---|---|
| Mesh Design | Nano-coated fog net using biomimetic principles |
| Energy System | Solar-powered low-wattage IoT solution |
| Data & Feedback | Real-time monitoring and predictive yield modeling |
| Youth Involvement | Skill-building in IoT, sustainability, and coding |
| Open-source Design | Replicable and adaptable across communities |
📚 8. References and Sources
- Park, K.C., et al. (2016). Condensation on superhydrophobic surfaces. Nature.
- International Fog Harvesting Network – www.fogquest.org
- CSIR South Africa – Reports on Dew and Fog Harvesting
- MIT Water Innovation Lab (2021) – Atmospheric Water Capture
- SA Weather Service (SAWS) – Historical humidity and dew data
✅ 9. Conclusion
The SayPro AquaHarvest project is rooted in solid scientific principles, tested materials, and proven environmental data. Its integration of nanotechnology, renewable energy, and IoT creates an innovative, replicable system tailored for Africa’s climate and development needs. Supported by community involvement and youth-led learning, it represents a breakthrough in decentralized water access and climate innovation.