Saltar para o conteúdo principal

FCCNFCT Digital Services

Access the national information on scientific and technological funding in Portugal

Activity Funded

Dynamically responsive micro/nano helical shaped membranes for water droplet collection

Membranas de celulose formadas por micro/nano hélices que mudam de forma para a recolha de micro gotas de água

Reference
2022.01619.PTDC
Project Start Date
2023-03-01
Project End Date
2026-12-31
Principal Investigator
Coinvestigator
Scientific Area
Engineering and technology
Funding Program
Concurso de Projetos de I&D em Todos os Domínios Científicos - 2022 - ICDT

Abstract

DynaCellCollect targets the manufacture and characterization of new hygromorphic cellulose-based meshes to efficiently collect water from air. The novel meshes are formed by micro/nano helical filaments that respond to environmental humidity. The ability to collect water results from high surface area to volume ratio and high porosity of the membrane. After water collection, the micro/nano filaments change shape promoting the water to flow easily by gravitation and to be stored. The water flow allows the filaments to re-shape and once again be available for collection of more water. Inspiration comes from humidity-responsive skeletons[1, 2], spiderwebs[3] and Namib Desert beetles[4] ability to respond and capture water from air. Plants produce a large variety and amount of cellulose, forming meso and microstructures with unique characteristics and complex shapes. These structures are far beyond any current materials that can be artificially produced through technology. They are flexible, lightweight, low cost, mostly destroyed and barely exploited. These organized structures in conjunction with liquid crystalline systems are great candidates to build-up hygromorphic water collection membranes. The evaporation of water is a ubiquitous phenomenon in the natural environment and a great source of clean energy. The energy associated with the evaporation of water from ocean, watercourses or seaports is so subtle that it is not given much attention to. This renewable source could supply enormous volumes of water and produce clean energy. Every day, vast amounts of water evaporate powered by heat energy from the sun. Water driven movement of the DynaCellCollect meshes could also be suitable for the assembly of an evaporation powered generator for the production of clean energy[5]. DynaCellCollect aims (1) to produce unique and complex responsive soft structures without the use of complicated lithography or precision machinery; (2) to give mechanical flexibility and stability to the system without the use of intricate deposition techniques and (3) to activate the system with no need of microelectronics or batteries. This nature-inspired approach to produce DynaCellCollect meshes will involve specific material engineering strategies: (i) to precise control the supporting flexible structure and directional movements of the cellulosic meshes; (ii) chemical modification of cellulose skeleton in order to promote hydromorphic movement and consequent water collection; and (iii) control the responsiveness of the anisotropic liquid crystalline elastomers used. DynaCellCollect meshes are suitable to be used in countries susceptible to the occurrence of regular drought episodes that own ocean or water courses from which water is constantly lost due to evaporation. These membranes can also be used inside of closed greenhouses where most of water resulting from the evapotranspiration of plants may be recovered without the consumption of energy.

Institutions

Main Institutions

  • Universidade Nova de Lisboa Associação para a Inovação e Desenvolvimento da FCT (NOVA.ID.FCT)

Funding 249.915,60 €

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - Portugal

249.915,60 €