A new prototype has successfully extracted liters of water from dry air, marking a significant step forward as global water scarcity becomes more pressing.
Scientists have developed a device that essentially converts air into water by extracting moisture from the environment, even in arid conditions.
Sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting (SAWH) is an engineering field dedicated to addressing water scarcity, which "remains a grand challenge across the globe," according to a study published in "ACS Energy Letters".
Similar technologies, such as fog and water harvesters, already collect moisture from the air. However, these current models are often ineffective in dry environments. To overcome this, scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) created a new model capable of providing fresh water in a wide range of climates.
The prototype based on this model can generate approximately 5.826 liters of water per day. However, this process requires substantial energy. The study suggests using "high-density waste heat"—the warmth emitted by operating machines—as an energy source.
The study's findings indicate that this innovation could become a reliable and efficient source of potable water. It can potentially be integrated into various applications, including buildings, industrial plants, and transportation systems that produce high-density waste heat.
The World Wildlife Fund reports that around 1.1 billion people worldwide lack access to water, and 2.7 billion experience water scarcity for at least one month each year. According to the United Nations, climate change is exacerbating water scarcity, making water supplies increasingly unpredictable.
UNICEF warns that by 2030, about 700 million people could be displaced due to severe water scarcity.
In response to this growing crisis, projects like atmospheric water harvesting and the Grey Water Project—initiated by a Stanford University student to recycle non-potable water from sinks and showers for use in toilets and irrigation—have emerged.
The study highlights that the new design could be a viable solution, noting that the atmosphere holds about 1,300 trillion liters of freshwater that could be harvested without relying on existing water supplies.
The Quran - Chapter Al-Hadid : 24
those who are stingy and promote stinginess among people. And whoever turns away ˹should know that˺ Allah ˹alone˺ is truly the Self-Sufficient, Praiseworthy.
