AtmoSpark: Harnessing Humidity for Hydration with LA NPDT

An enclosure and product design that took a field-tested atmospheric water generator to production readiness

The client

Our partnership with AtmoSpark began with a shared vision of addressing global water scarcity. This ambitious startup, fresh from their stint in the National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps (I-Corps™) Program, sought to provide clean drinking water to developing nations, remote areas, and disaster-hit regions through atmospheric water generation. Their innovative concept attracted an unforeseen clientele—sailors, racers, and boaters—who found tremendous value in AtmoSpark’s BluElement watermaker.

The challenge

Charged with designing and prototyping an enclosure for the BluElement system, our LA New Product Development Team faced several challenges. We had to house intricate electronic components securely, withstand various environmental conditions, and ensure portability and user-friendliness—all while minimizing production costs and meeting regulatory standards. To add to this, we had to deliver within a tight timeframe.

Our solution

Through our collaboration with AtmoSpark and their electronics engineers, we were able to devise an effective solution. The optimal layout of the enclosure ensured optimal system performance and an enhanced user experience. Our cutting-edge prototyping equipment facilitated the swift design, development, and production of a fully-functional mechanical and electro-mechanical prototype in less than a month.

BluElement, the fruit of our collaboration, generates potable water from atmospheric humidity, negating the need for water lines, sea-water pumping, or bulky and wasteful water bottles. This puts water control into the hands of its users, be they afloat in the middle of the ocean or located in a water-scarce region.

The result

AtmoSpark’s BluElement, a product born from a college class project, has made significant strides.

It addresses the needs of individuals in water-scarce areas while simultaneously catering to the convenience of boaters and RVers.

Our collaboration helped transform their field-tested prototype into a product ready for customers, investors, and mass production.

We’re honored to have played a role in AtmoSpark’s journey, witnessing first-hand how the I-Corps program trains an entrepreneurial workforce, translates technologies, enables positive economic impact, and nurtures an innovation ecosystem.

BluElement atmospheric water generator enclosure on a dock

Customer testimonial

“Collaborating with LA NPDT was pivotal. Their technical prowess transformed our vision into a tangible, life-changing product. The team goes above and beyond to get the job done to the best of their abilities. Their dedication, professionalism, and expertise have been invaluable in bringing the BluElement to life. I’d highly recommend them to companies and founders seeking expert guidance and execution for their idea or concept development.”

ANIKET Founder of AtmoSparkAtmospark

Services provided

Competitive review

Before embarking on the design phase, we undertook a comprehensive review of the existing products in the atmospheric water generation market. This gave us a clear understanding of the landscape, allowing us to identify key differentiation points that would set AtmoSpark apart from the competition and cater to untapped market demands.

Product design

Armed with insights from the competitive review, our design specialists collaborated closely with AtmoSpark to refine the initial concept of BluElement. We meticulously crafted a design that was both user-centric and innovative, ensuring the product would be intuitive to use while also standing out in its category.

Engineering support

AtmoSpark’s BluElement is a multifaceted product, integrating various components such as mechanical, electrical, and firmware elements. Our highly technical team of engineers delved deep into the intricacies of the product. By comprehensively addressing compatibility and functionality issues, we were able to pinpoint and implement optimal solutions. We sourced the best components to ensure efficient operations, meeting both the product’s functional requirements and safety standards.

Design optimization for manufacturability

While manufacturing wasn’t directly within our purview for this project, we recognized the importance of ease of production for the product’s success. We optimized the design to ensure BluElement could be produced efficiently and cost-effectively, without compromising on its strength, functionality, or safety.

Through our integrated approach and multidisciplinary expertise, we supported AtmoSpark in translating their vision for BluElement into a tangible, market-ready product that was both cutting-edge and user-friendly.