2023

This device, inspired by the 1894 design of Parisian instrument maker Louis Bonetti, is a variation of the Wimshurst machine. It features bare disks and touch-free comb neutralizers, driven by belts and a brushless motor. The 3D-printed frame houses this contemporary interpretation of 19th-century electrostatic technology. In a five-month study using Chlorophytum comosum (Spider plant) offshoots, the machine—operated 10% of the time—demonstrated significant results. Treated specimens showed a 30% increase in plant mass, while untreated control plants suffered fungal growth and spider mite infestations. This exhibit illustrates the potential of historical scientific concepts in modern agricultural applications.