2023-09-18 05:05:27
Breakthrough hydrogel device turns hot summer air into drinkable water
New technology from The University of Texas at Austin has resulted in a potential game-changer for regions facing water scarcity. Researchers have developed a molecularly engineered hydrogel device capable of generating pure water from hot summer air using sunlight.
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The breakthrough research, documented in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, demonstrates the successful extraction of atmospheric moisture and its conversion into drinkable water through solar power. Remarkably, this conversion can occur in temperatures as low as 104 degrees, similar to the summer climate in Texas and other regions.
The hydrogel device can simply be placed outside, requiring no further human intervention, and spontaneously generate drinkable water. According to Guihua Yu, a professor in the Cockrell School of Engineering’s Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering and Texas Materials Institute, "With our new hydrogel, we’re not just pulling water out of thin air. We’re doing it extremely fast and without consuming too much energy. What’s really fascinating about our hydrogel is how it releases water. Think about a hot Texas summer – we could just use our temperatures’ natural ups and downs, no need to crank up any heaters."
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Rapid water capture
A crucial development is the hydrogel's transformation into "microgels" or microparticles, which significantly enhances the device's water capture and release, making it incredibly rapid. This improvement offers a new, highly efficient type of sorbents that can significantly enhance water production by multiple daily cycling.
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Efforts are underway to optimize the microgel engineering, aiming for a scalable, cost-effective, and portable solution that can revolutionize water access in nations like Ethiopia, where nearly 60% of residents lack clean water access.
Further exploration
The research team is exploring the use of organic material-based versions of the device to ensure affordability during mass production, maintain product durability, and facilitate moisture absorption. Additionally, they are focused on making the devices portable for various applications.
Significance of the study
"Atmospheric water harvesting (AWH), a potential solution, faces challenges due to the energy-intensive release of captured water. Addressing this issue, our study introduces the concept of molecularly confined hydration in thermoresponsive hydrogels, enabling more efficient water release at lower temperatures. This technique, when coupled with photothermal absorbers, harnesses solar energy, bolstering the sustainability of AWH. This advancement contributes to our understanding of hydrogel design for AWH and signifies a crucial step in the global efforts to mitigate the intensifying water scarcity crisis."
The project is supported by the Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research from The Welch Foundation and the Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award.
If you would like to know other articles similar to Transforming Hot Summer Air into Drinkable Water: The Groundbreaking Hydrogel Device updated this year 2024 you can visit the category Breaking Tech News.
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