As a result of growing populations, climate change, poor water management, and geopolitical conflict, an estimated 87 countries will be in a state of water scarcity by 2050. While the technology exists to extract potable water from the atmosphere, current processes are not only expensive but energy-intensive—itself an environmental concern.
An I-Corps team of UMD researchers, led by mechanical engineering Assistant Research Scientist Bo Chen, have invented a solar-powered device called Aquair that can conjure water from thin air.
The team includes Chen, mechanical engineering professor Teng Li, and former Ph.D. student Shuangshuang Jing. They have invented a low-cost, sustainable atmospheric water harvesting system that can be manufactured and set up nearly anywhere on Earth, without electricity or complex process control. The technology is based on an all-natural, eco-friendly, biomass-based composite that can pull water from air anywhere on Earth, including arid environments, powered solely by sunlight. The composite, a foam made of earth-abundant cellulose and graphite, can absorb over 670 percent of its weight in water from the air, with 90 percent relative humidity, and quickly release 95 percent of absorbed water under sunlight irradiation in one hour.
The device is a foam structure with many small cavities. These cavities function like sponges to absorb water from the air. The material can be scaled depending on the user’s needs. For instance, a hiker could bring enough to fill a water bottle, while a household or community might need a larger quantity to meet their harvesting needs.
One of Aquair’s most important features is that the device can produce water that is safe for drinking, among various other uses. This aspect opens the door for diverse applications, from meeting essential drinking water needs to supporting agriculture and industry in water-scarce regions. The potential impact of this technology is vast, promoting a more secure and resilient future.
The Aquair team won the UM Ventures Invention of the Year Award in the Overall Physical Sciences category in 2023. They also won the prestigious 2023 R&D 100 Award for their invention.
The team participated in the NSF National I-Corps Teams program in May 2023.
