Construction and MaterialsMaterials used to construct buoy
Detail of reservoir
Polycarbonate Mesh Dome
Aluminum Mesh
Aluminum Dome
Solar Panels
Aluminum
Steel
HR Foam
Polyurethane
Titanium Mesh
Lead
Polycarbonate
Aluminum
Steel
Reservoir
Water entrance
The reservoir entrance is designed in a specific way where it allows water to enter but it does not allow it to escape or to evaporate back up.
The bottom of the buoy is open to allow the seawater to enter and begin the process of desalination.
The reservoir can hold proximately 20 gallons of fresh water.
High Resiliency Foam HR Foam is used for the buoyancy and has a support ratio of 62 pounds of buoyancy per 2 pounds of foam.
Cutaway of internal system
The polycarbonate mesh is used as an insulator for the top of the buoy to cool down the top. It can easily be molded into any shape or form, thus allowing us shape it into a mesh. White paint is used to reflect light.
A mesh made out of aluminum is used to support the polycarbonate mesh cap on top. It also holds various LEDs that turn on at night and are powered by the solars panels during the day.
The dome is made of aluminum to rapidly cool down water that collects on top from condensation.
Transparent solar panels surround the buoy, they heat up from the sun and evaporate the seawater on the bottom.The solar panels also produce energy.
The middle conoid made out of polycarbonate is tinted enough to allow sunlight through and reach the bottom.It’s also the pathway the evaporation takes to the top.
Steel is used on the outside shell of the buoy to protect the inside from natural elements.
The inside of the reservoir is composed of aluminum because it doesn't rust and keeps the desalinated water as clean as possible.
High resiliency foam fills the inside of the buoy to add buoyancy and keep it stable.
A layer of polyurethane encloses the HR foam and protects it dry from the water.
A titanium mesh is used because it doesn't rust and is durable.
The lead ball weight is used for balance
Aluminum is ideal for the metal's low density and for its ability to resist corrosion.
LEDs
The water inlet
Conoid
LEDs are used to direct sailors and boat traffic at night.
The conoid shape is used to separate the saltwater from the clean water. Its a guide for the vapors to flow to the top.
Seawater travels from the bottom of the buoy waiting to be evaporated.