FOG CATCHING: A FOG HARVESTING TOOL DESIGN USING THE THEORY OF INVENTIVE PROBLEM SOLVING (TRIZ)

Abstract

The availability of clean water in highland regions is significantly impacted by geographic factors, seasonal rainfall, and distribution system constraints.  Mountaineering, agriculture, household necessities, and environmental preservation are all directly impacted by these factors.  Clean water is essential for mountain climbing in order to avoid hypothermia and dehydration, but its supply is frequently restricted because of irregular natural springs and decreased discharge during the dry season.  However, fog, which is frequently found in mountainous areas, offers a lot of promise as a replacement water source.  The goal of this project is to create a novel fog-harvesting tool that will help climbers become self-sufficient and offer a sustainable highland water supply.  To come up with innovative and methodical answers to engineering problems, the design process uses the TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) methodology.  The study generated a preliminary design concept that prioritized sustainability and functionality using the 40 Inventive Principles and the Contradiction Matrix.  The study skips over material selection and production costs in favor of concentrating only on form exploration, visual design, and user interaction.  Principles 10 (Preliminary Action), 34 (Discarding and Regeneration), 40 (Composite Materials), and 35 (Parameter Changes) were among the dominant principles found in the resulting TRIZ matrix (7×7).  The finished design incorporates large reservoirs for increased capacity without undue complexity, protective side covers, tilted positioning for effective flow, vertical-horizontal nets for optimal fog capture, and filtration for water quality.