US’ new method extracts 14 liters drinking water from thin air daily using food scraps – Interesting Engineering

This new method allows nearly any organic waste to be turned into a water collector, unlike older methods that needed specific materials.a day agoa day agoa day agoa day agoa day ago2 days ago2 days ago2 days ago2 days ago3 days ago16 minutes ago19 minutes ago39 minutes ago3 hours ago3 hours ago3 hours ago4 hours ago4 hours ago5 hours ago5 hours agoAman TripathiThis system allows for the repurposing of a wide range of biomass to produce clean water.The University of Texas at AustinResearchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a new method that can extract nearly four gallons of clean drinking water directly from the air by using just a single kilogram of everyday biomass, such as food scraps and seashells.This system transforms these everyday biomass into “molecularly functionalized biomass hydrogels” that harvest water directly from the atmosphere.“This material gives us a way to tap into nature’s most abundant resources and make water from air—anytime, anywhere,” said Weixin Guan, the lead researcher of the study.“With this breakthrough, we’ve created a universal molecular engineering strategy that allows diverse natural materials to be transformed into high-efficiency sorbents,” added Guihua Yu, a professor at Texas Materials Institute at UT Austin.The research team has developed a method to modify natural polysaccharides at the molecular level and enhance their ability to capture moisture from the air and release it easily when heated. This two-step process involves attaching thermoresponsive and zwitterionic groups to the materials. This makes them more responsive to temperature changes and improves their water absorption and storage capabilities.This molecular modification enables the hydrogels to capture moisture from the air at ambient temperatures. When subjected to mild heating, specifically around 60°C (140°F), the stored water is released in a purified form. This temperature threshold is significant, as it can be achieved through sustainable means such as solar energy or waste heat from industrial processes.This makes the new system distinct from traditional water harvesting methods that often rely on energy-intensive refrigeration or petrochemical-based materials.Field tests have demonstrated that a single kilogram of the hydrogel material can yield up to 14.19 liters (3.75 gallons) of water per day.This output significantly surpasses that of many existing atmospheric water harvesting technologies, which typically produce between 1 and 5 liters per kilogram daily.Also, the researchers have successfully demonstrated its effectiveness with cellulose, starch, and chitosan. This means that a wide range of biomass can be repurposed to produce clean water.“Instead of the traditional ‘select-and-combine’ approach, which requires picking specific materials for specific functions, this general molecular strategy makes it possible to turn almost any biomass into an efficient water harvester,” added the researchers.Unlike many existing water harvesting technologies that rely on high humidity levels, this new method can extract meaningful quantities of water even in arid environments.“This opens up an entirely new way to think about sustainable water collection, marking a big step towards practical water harvesting systems for households and small community scale,” asserted Yu.Besides, the research team has emphasized the sustainability of the process. The biomass-based hydrogels are biodegradable and can be produced from readily available materials that would otherwise be discarded.“The research team is now working on scaling production and designing real-world device systems for commercialization, including portable water harvesters, self-sustaining irrigation systems, and emergency drinking water devices,” concluded the press release.Aman Tripathi An active and versatile journalist and news editor. He has covered regular and breaking news for several leading publications and news media, including The Hindu, Economic Times, Tomorrow Makers, and many more. Aman holds expertise in politics, travel, and tech news, especially in AI, advanced algorithms, and blockchain, with a strong curiosity about all things that fall under science and tech.Stay up-to-date on engineering, tech, space, and science news with The Blueprint.By clicking sign up, you confirm that you accept this site’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy21 hours agoa day agoa day agoa day agoPremiumIE PROFollow

Source: https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/us-drinking-water-from-air