1. Lotus Water Collector
By
B. Grafius, K. Tran, P. Tran
University of the Pacific
School of Engineering and Computer Science
3601 Pacific Ave, Stockton, CA 95211
3. Background and Biological System
Lotus leaf
Super hydrophobic
Contact angle
Hierarchical structures
David Wurtz, Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering
4. Applications & Benefits
Horizontal design
Water collection
Water diversion
Crop protection
Vertical design
Fog and dew capture
5. Design
Horizontal Version
Figure 1. A general view of the project with all other possible components where the water tank is
positioned to be under ground level.
Watyer
ta
n
Water tank
with a
volume of
Consumer
Use
Ground
Level
200 gallons
6. Design
Horizontal Version
Figure 2. A side view of a fully open catcher without
any support on the edge.
Figure 3. A bird view of the catcher.
(4a)
(4b)
Figure 4a & 4b.
A microscopic view of the
different between a
hydrophilic (4a) and
7. Design
Vertical Version
Figure 7. An alternate form of the catcher
where it is placed vertically to catch water
from other sources like fog.
Figure 8. A microscopic view of the
structure made up the surface.
8. Limitations and Future Plans
Design limitations
• Ensure proper installation
• Aluminum columns staked at least 2’
into the ground
• Avoid assembling lotus collector near
trees
Obstacles to overcome
• Maintenance of lotus collector
• Clean leaves and any other debris from
pipe
• 4” diameter pipe minimizes drainage
risks
9. Limitations and Future Plans
Identification of next step
• Continued research on hydrophobic
compounds
• Reduce toxicity
Unknown factors
• Experimental testing for toxicity of
hydrophobic coating
• Engineering experiments to determine
maximum wind loads and rain loads
10. Limitations and Future Plans
Feasibility
• Resource security: plastic tarp,
aluminum, PVC pipe
• Partnership for hydrophobic coating
• Easy to construct
Scalability
• Easy to scale plastic tarp, aluminum, and
coating
• Minimum diameter of 10’
• Maximum diameter of 70’
11. Biomimicry Life's Principles
• Adapt to changing conditions - dry weather
storage and wet weather operation
• Locally attuned and responsive - collaborative
relationship with plastic and aluminum factory
• Resource efficient - recyclable aluminum and
plastic
12. REFERENCES
[1] Koch, K., Et. Al. Fabrication of artificial lotus leaves and significance of hierarchical structure for super hydrophobicity and low
adhesion. Soft matter. Issue 7. 2009
[2] “For Hard-to-Recycle Plastics, a Green and Revolutionary Solution." Waste management. Waste management Inc., 2015.
<Http://www.Wm.Com/location/idaho/id/_documents/plasticsrecovery.Pdf>
[3] Chandler, David. "Explained: hydrophobic and hydrophilic." MIT news. Massachusetts institute of technology, 16 July 2013. Web.
[4] “Green building materials list." The constructor. The constructor, 13 Nov. 2014. Web.
[5] Hornbacher, Adam. "Steel versus aluminum - weight, strength, cost, malleability comparison." Steel vs aluminum: weight, strength
and cost differences. Wenzel metal SPINNING, ND, web.
[6] “Sustainability." The plastics industry pipe association of Australia. PIPA, 14 Oct. 2013. Web.
[7] “Life’s Principles." Biomimicry 38. Biomimicry group, ND. Web.
