PCB Stators for ISEF: Electrostatic Fog Collection System

Project Summary:

In pursuit of advancing sustainable and innovative, alternative water sources, I, an Early College High School student at the PCC Rock Creek campus, have taken on the challenge of optimally integrating electrostatic fog harvesting methods with triboelectric nanogenerator technology. The results of my research will be submitted to the “International Science and Engineering Fair” (abbreviated as, "ISEF"), to compete in the “Energy and Environmental Engineering” category. Rotary triboelectric nanogenerators (abbreviated as, "r-TENGs") as power sources for electrostatic fog collection systems are cheaper than the alternatives, are much more portable, lightweight, significantly easier to manufacture, and pose no risk of electrocution unlike the alternatives. The electrostatic approach to fog collection involves harvesting water out of thin air with electricity! Because two-thirds of the world’s population face the possibility of water scarcity and remote coastal areas which don’t get much rainfall see dense fog formation on a regular basis, the search for a relatively cheap and portable water source which produces its own water and which can sustain a single person, is crucial.

Electrostatic fog collector systems investigated in my research, rely on electric breakdown in air, similar to lightning, and electrically charged fog nets. Due to the nature of these electric breakdowns, they produce free ions which are then absorbed by the ambient water droplet molecules suspended in the air. Having absorbed ions the water droplets become electrically charged. Because, “opposite electric charges attract”, as stated in Coulomb’s law, the charged water droplets are pulled toward the fog net of the opposite charge, which collects the water in a common reservoir.

Rotary triboelectric nanogenerators are used to power the electric breakdown in air, and keep the fog nets charged. R-TENGs involve the triboelectric effect to induce a potential electric difference on the surfaces of two separate electric conductors, and Maxwell’s displacement current to generate electricity as the two charged electric conductors move relative to each other. That is to say, r-TENGs convert rotational energy into electricity to power electric breakdown.

Lastly, in my effort to optimize the envisioned r-TENG powered fog collection system, a Kelvin water dropper device is integrated. The Kelvin water dropper device autonomously generates high voltage comparable to that of the r-TENG, essentially using two water streams. The Kelvin water dropper relies on a small concentration of hydrogen ions within regular water to generate its high voltage electrostatic output. However because the water that the fog net collects is further charged by the free ions from the electric breakdown, it is hypothesized that the output of the Kelvin water dropper will be further enhanced. This high voltage electrostatic output can then be used to autonomously power the electric breakdown process of the fog collector system, without an external source of rotational energy to spin the r-TENGs.

Where PCBWay Comes In:

The components of r-TENGs cannot be manufactured by hand. The components require a highly precise, patterned deposition of thin copper film on a non-conductive substrate, which is impossible to be done by hand. Out of all the available methods of achieving this, the use of PCB manufacturing technology is the only method within my budget and timeframe.

I strongly believe that out of all small volume PCB production services, PCBWay distinguishes itself with its highly customizable PCB specification options, low cost, and rapid delivery time.

• Highly customizable PCB specification options: The r-TENG requires a patterned deposition of thin copper film on a non-conductive substrate, as described above. This forbids any silkscreen deposition, solder mask deposition, and surface finish. And out of all PCB production services known to me and within my budget, PCBWay is the only service that is capable of executing my uncommon instructions.

• Low cost: Compared to other high-quality PCB production services such as OSH Park, Sunstone Circuits, etc. PCBWay offers the lowest price. And given my limited budget, PCBWay’s services are indispensable.

• Rapid delivery time: Compared to similar services, PCBWay offers one of the fastest production/delivery times of 2-3 days. Other services require several weeks, and the costs of faster delivery times are through the roof. Given my limited time frame until my submission to the ISEF competition is due, a shorter delivery time is important.

I firmly believe that PCBWay's help would be indispensable for building r-TENGs of the highest quality and performance, which is essential to advancing sustainable and innovative, alternative water sources. By partnering with PCBWay, I can create custom PCBs that meet my highly unconventional design needs, which don't burn through my budget, and which are delivered quickly.