Breakthrough Solar-Powered Water Harvester Offers Hope for Water-Scarce Regions
Breakthrough Solar-Powered Water Harvester Offers Hope for Water-Scarce Regions
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An Australian-Chinese research team has developed an innovative solar-powered device that can extract potable water directly from the atmosphere, offering a sustainable solution for global water scarcity, SciTech Daily reported. This breakthrough, a collaboration between RMIT University and five Chinese institutions, utilizes a unique sponge-like material derived from balsa wood.
The material, enhanced with lithium chloride and iron oxide nanoparticles, efficiently absorbs moisture. At night, it collects atmospheric water; during the day, solar energy heats it, releasing purified water into a collection cup. Lab tests show it can extract 2 milliliters of water per gram of material in 90% humidity, and 0.6 milliliters in 30% humidity, performing across temperatures from −20°C to 55°C. Field tests confirm a 94% daily efficiency, releasing nearly all absorbed water within ten hours.
This low-cost invention, costing under one cent per gram, boasts durability and freeze resistance, making it ideal for remote or disaster-stricken areas. Researchers envision its use for emergency relief, off-grid water supply in arid regions, and for military or scientific expeditions. With 2.2 billion people lacking safe drinking water, this innovation represents a significant advancement towards addressing a critical global challenge, with potential for widespread deployment in the near future.
