Innovative Gel Extracts Drinking Water from Dry Desert Air
More than a third of the world’s population already lives in regions with significant water scarcity, and this is expected to increase due to climate change, according to a study by the World Meteorological Organization. As a result, researchers are looking for new ways to extract water from desert air. Scientists at the University of Texas have developed an innovative gel that can extract drinking water from even the driest desert air at a low cost. The material is made of cellulose and glucomannan, a starch-like substance, which together form a porous structure that captures moisture from the air.
The gel layer has thermoresponsive cellulose, whose properties change depending on temperature. During cool nights, the material can bind water, and when heated during the day, the gel’s thermoresponsive cellulose becomes water-repellent, releasing the captured water. This makes water extraction from dry air particularly energy-efficient. In areas with relative humidity below 15%, one kilogram of the gel can extract about six liters of water per day, and up to 13 liters per day at humidity levels up to 30%. The researchers believe that by further optimizing and increasing the thickness of the gel layer, the amount of water extracted can be significantly increased.
The gel’s low cost of only 2 euros per kilogram makes it a practical solution for people to extract water in the hottest, driest places on earth, according to Guihua Yu, one of the researchers. The gel could improve the water supply of millions of people in deserts and other dry regions who currently lack adequate access to clean drinking water. This innovative material could be a game-changer in the fight against water scarcity and provide a sustainable solution for communities in need.
