Water scarcity remains an unresolved problem for several parts of the world. At the same time, global warming leads to water evaporation and, by extension, atmospheric humidity. If we could reliably harvest the humidity back, we would potentially ease the lives of millions. A recent project at FH Münster envisions the solution through a solar-powered device named Water from Air. Operable with only one hand, the device can generate up to 6 liters of tap water per day without filters or complicated procedures. That’s more than enough to meet the hydration needs of a person or even two.
Modernizing an old concept
From foliage to fog, harvesting invisible water has been an ancient practice, recorded as far back as the Inca empire. In more recent times, fog condensers have become available to collect water from fog, but these need power and depend on areas that are naturally foggy. Approaches like this won’t guarantee a steady flow of water if the environment doesn’t meet requirements. The sweet spot would be having a low- to no-power-consuming device that can harvest water regardless of where. Of course, that’s also with the assumption that the place is humid in the first place. This is where projects like Water from Air come into play, which harness hygroscopic materials or devices that naturally attract atmospheric water.
FH Münster graduates, Louisa Graupe and Julika Schwarz, based their projects on several research studies on hygroscopic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Projects like Water from Air have already proven the effectiveness of the material due to its sponge-like property. Similar to how sponges collect and release water, MOFs in these devices can absorb water molecules from the air and then release them under heat.
Not just thin air
Water from Air comes as a 3D-printed prototype bottle that’s 60cm high with a lid on the top. For now, it is only based on theory and consultations with experts, as the materials have yet to be patented. Still, the theory and design alone were already strong enough to earn them various nominations, including reaching the second round at the Bundespreis Ecodesign, which is the highest award for ecological design in Germany. While certainly not the solution to water scarcity, it’s still a step toward solving water scarcity.
Photo credit: The feature image is symbolic and has been taken by Lucas Sankey.
Sources: FH Münster / Hyunho Kim et al. (Science)
