Highly Efficient Multiscale Fog Collector Inspired by Sarracenia Trichome Hierarchical Structure. Issue 12 (12th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Huawei; Ran, Tong; Zhang, Kaiteng; Chen, Dengke; Gan, Yang; Wang, Zelinlan; Jiang, Lei
• Is Part Of: Global challenges. Volume 5:Issue 12(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-09-12
• Subjects: bio‐inspired structures -- fog harvesting -- hierarchical microchannels -- multiscale structures -- Sarracenia trichome; Climatic changes -- Periodicals; Sustainable development -- Periodicals; Globalization -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 500
• DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202100087
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2056-6646

Abstract

Abstract: Fog harvesting through bionic strategies to solve water shortage has drawn considerable attention. Recently, an ultrafast fog harvesting and transport mode was identified in Sarracenia trichome, which is mainly attributed to its superslippery capillary force induced by its unique hierarchical microchannel. However, the underlying effect of hierarchical microchannel‐induced ultrafast transport on fog harvesting and the multiscale structural coupling effect on highly efficient fog harvesting are still great challenges. Herein, a bionic Sarracenia trichome (BST) with an on‐demand regular hierarchical microchannel is designed using a one‐step thermoplastic stretching approach on a glass fiber bundle. The BST is engineered to harbor major channels confined by an inner gear pattern along with junior microchannels that are automatically assembled by the glass fiber monofilaments. The BST shows enhanced capillary condensation and fog harvesting performance, in part due to its coupling effect with a Janus membrane (JM). Hence, a highly efficient multiscale fog collector is developed, in which a gradient high‐pressure field is purposely formed to improve by threefold fog harvesting performance compared with a single‐scale structure. This easy manufacturing and low‐cost fog collector may represent a useful tool for harvesting fog water for production and living and pave the way for further investigations. Abstract : A bionic Sarracenia trichome with an on‐demand regular hierarchical microchannel is designed to achieve excellent fog harvesting and transport properties as the real one. With the combination of Janus membrane, a highly efficient multiscale fog collector is developed, in which a gradient high‐pressure field is purposely formed to improve by threefold fog harvesting performance compared with a single‐scale structure.