MIT Engineers Develop Revolutionary Superabsorbent Hydrogel That Can Harvest Water From Desert Air



Image: Gustav Graeber and Carlos D. Díaz-Marín

In a new study published in the journal Nature Materials, engineers at MIT have developed a superabsorbent hydrogel that can absorb an unprecedented amount of moisture from the air, even in desert-like conditions. The material, which is infused with lithium chloride, can hold up to 200 times its weight in water, and it can do so even when the relative humidity is as low as 30%.

This makes the hydrogel a potential game-changer for water harvesting in arid regions. Currently, the most common way to harvest water from the air is through the use of atmospheric water generators (AWGs). AWGs work by cooling air below its dew point, causing the water vapor to condense and form liquid water. However, AWGs are expensive and require a significant amount of energy to operate.

The MIT hydrogel, on the other hand, is relatively inexpensive and easy to produce. It can also be used in a passive manner, meaning that it does not require any external energy source. This makes it ideal for use in remote and rural areas that lack access to electricity.

In addition to its potential for water harvesting, the MIT hydrogel could also be used in a variety of other applications. For example, it could be used to dehumidify air conditioning units, improve the efficiency of solar panels, or even create self-watering plants.

The researchers are currently working on scaling up the production of the hydrogel and developing new methods for harvesting water from the air. They believe that the hydrogel has the potential to revolutionize the way we access water in arid regions.

Here are some additional details about the MIT hydrogel:

1.  The hydrogel is composed of a polymer network that is infused with lithium chloride. The lithium chloride attracts water molecules, causing them to bind to the polymer network.

2.  The hydrogel can absorb up to 200 times its weight in water. This means that a small amount of hydrogel could potentially provide a significant amount of water for drinking, cooking, or irrigation.

3.  The hydrogel can work in very dry conditions. It can absorb water from the air even when the relative humidity is as low as 30%.

4.  The hydrogel is relatively inexpensive and easy to produce. It can be made from readily available materials, such as polymers and lithium chloride.

5.  The hydrogel can be used in a passive manner. This means that it does not require any external energy source to operate. This makes it ideal for use in remote and rural areas that lack access to electricity.

The MIT hydrogel is a promising new technology with the potential to revolutionize the way we access water in arid regions. The researchers are currently working on scaling up the production of the hydrogel and developing new methods for harvesting water from the air. They believe that the hydrogel has the potential to make a significant impact on global water scarcity.

©️ Rocky Mountain Dispatch 2023

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NASA's X-59: Paving the Way for Quieter Supersonic Flight

Image
For decades, the piercing sonic boom has kept commercial supersonic aircraft from traveling over land. NASA's revolutionary X-59 QueSST (Quiet SuperSonic Technology) aircraft aims to change that. This experimental plane is meticulously designed to break the sound barrier with a gentle 'thump' rather than an ear-splitting boom, potentially opening the door to a new era of faster-than-sound air travel. The Need for Quieter Flight Since the Concorde's retirement in 2003, commercial supersonic flight has been largely absent. The primary reason lies in the sonic boom – a shockwave created when an aircraft travels faster than the speed of sound. Traditional supersonic aircraft generate booms that are disruptive and can even cause damage on the ground, leading to restrictions on supersonic travel over land. The X-59 Solution The X-59's unique design is the key to its quiet flight. Its elongated nose, carefully sculpted fuselage, and specially positioned wings w...
Read more

James Webb Space Telescope Detects Carbon Molecules in Early Universe

Image
The James Webb Space Telescope Reveals the Orion Bar in Stunning Detail A team of astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has detected carbon molecules in a galaxy that is 13.4 billion light-years away. This means that the molecules were present just 300 million years after the Big Bang. The molecules, called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are a type of organic molecule that is thought to be a precursor to life. They are made up of carbon atoms that are bonded together in rings. The discovery of PAHs in the early universe is a significant finding. It provides new evidence that the building blocks of life may have been present very early on in the history of the universe. This could mean that life could have arisen more easily than previously thought. The PAHs were detected by the JWST's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI). MIRI is designed to detect infrared light, which is invisible to the human eye. Infrared light can penetrate dust and gas, which...
Read more

Wyoming Game and Fish Department Releases Draft Elk Feedgrounds Management Plan for Public Review

Image
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) has released a draft elk feedgrounds management plan for public review. The plan is designed to guide the department's overall, long-term approach to elk management as it pertains to the 22 Game and Fish-operated elk feedgrounds in western Wyoming. The plan has three main goals: Reduce elk's reliance on feedgrounds: The plan aims to reduce the number of elk that rely on feedgrounds by increasing the availability of natural winter forage. This will help to reduce the spread of disease and improve the overall health of the elk herd. Increase opportunities for elk to winter away from feedgrounds: The plan also aims to increase the number of elk that winter away from feedgrounds by providing more winter range habitat. This will help to reduce conflict between elk and livestock, as well as the risk of elk-vehicle collisions. Maintain current elk population objectives and associated hunting opportunity: The plan is designed to e...
Read more