Fog Harvesting Desert Beetles
I studied live Namib Desert beetles to determine biomimicry potential for fog-water harvesting technologies. As part of my research, I designed a temperature controlled fog chamber to observe/record beetle behavior in near-natural conditions. Analysis of the beetle surface structures & properties was done using SEM, ESEM, Profilometer, etc.
Namib Desert Beetle exhibiting fog harvesting
my sketch of fog harvesting beetle and research
Fog Chamber Design Sketches and Process
Schematics showing my design process behind the temperature-controlled fog chamber I constructed to mimic the conditions of the Namib Desert.
FINISHED FOG CHAMBER
FINAL FOG CHAMBER DESIGN
SKETCH OF FOG CHAMBER VENTILATION SETUP & BEETLE HOUSING SETUP IN LAB
process sketches, beetle research & early design exploration
Beetle Behavior & Surface Structure Analysis
Ongoing monitoring was needed to identify relevant beetle behavior, as well as surface structure recordings surrounding fog harvesting.
beetles drinking water
beetle body structure being analyzed posthumously
