Students from TABS College of Science Girls Section in Hyderabad, Pakistan, have won the ninth cycle of Enterprise Challenge Pakistan with their revolutionary innovation that transforms fog into clean electricity. The winning project, Nebulavolt, represents a significant breakthrough in sustainable energy technology designed specifically for fog-prone regions.
How the Nebulavolt Device Works
The Nebulavolt system employs a hydrophilic mesh to capture fog and converts the kinetic energy of water droplets into clean electricity through triboelectric nanogenerators. This low-cost solution harnesses natural atmospheric moisture, converting it into usable power without emissions or environmental impact.
Triboelectric nanogenerators operate on the principle of contact electrification and electrostatic induction. When water droplets from fog make contact with the specialized mesh surface, they generate electrical charges that can be captured and converted into power. This technology has been extensively researched worldwide for harvesting energy from various water sources, including rain, ocean waves, and atmospheric moisture.
Practical Applications for Road Safety
The generated electricity can power streetlights, traffic signals, and roadside systems, improving visibility in foggy conditions and reducing road accidents. This dual functionality makes Nebulavolt particularly valuable in regions where fog creates dangerous driving conditions while simultaneously providing the raw material needed for power generation.
The device addresses a critical safety challenge in Pakistan and other countries where dense fog causes frequent traffic accidents, especially during winter months. By converting the very fog that creates visibility problems into electricity for lighting and signaling systems, the technology offers an elegant solution to a persistent public safety issue.
Recognition at National Competition
The National Final was hosted in Karachi on January 24 by British Deputy High Commissioner Lance Domm, in partnership with King’s Trust International and SEED Ventures. The competition brought together innovative startup ideas from five finalist teams representing different regions of Pakistan, with each project evaluated on innovation, climate friendliness, financial viability, and social impact.
The runner-up position went to Green Husk Creation from Quetta, which transforms corn husk waste into bio-leather and paper sheets. Other finalists included projects focused on women-led production, AI-powered medication verification, and home automation systems for people with disabilities.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
The technology cuts energy costs while supporting safer, eco-friendly highways and smart cities. As a renewable energy source, fog harvesting produces zero greenhouse gas emissions and requires minimal infrastructure compared to traditional power generation methods. The low-cost nature of the Nebulavolt system makes it particularly suitable for deployment in developing regions where both fog and electricity shortages are common challenges.
The device contributes to Pakistan’s sustainable development goals by providing clean energy while addressing infrastructure needs in underserved areas. With fog occurring regularly in many parts of Pakistan, particularly in Punjab and other northern regions during winter, the potential for widespread deployment is significant.
Innovation in Water Energy Harvesting
The Nebulavolt project builds on growing global research into triboelectric nanogenerators for water energy harvesting. Scientists worldwide have demonstrated that water droplets can generate electricity when they interact with specially designed surfaces, with some devices producing voltages ranging from a few volts to over 100 volts depending on the configuration and materials used.
By focusing specifically on fog collection and energy conversion, the TABS College students have created a practical application that addresses local needs while contributing to the broader field of renewable energy technology. The innovation demonstrates how young Pakistani scientists are developing solutions tailored to their country’s specific environmental and infrastructure challenges.
Future Prospects
The success of Nebulavolt at the Enterprise Challenge Pakistan positions the project for potential commercial development and wider deployment. As climate change increases the importance of renewable energy sources and smart city infrastructure, technologies that harvest energy from atmospheric moisture could play an increasingly important role in sustainable development strategies worldwide.
The recognition from King’s Trust International and support from SEED Ventures may provide the resources and mentorship needed to transform this award-winning concept into a deployed technology that benefits communities across Pakistan and potentially other fog-prone regions globally.
