A team of engineers at MIT has developed a revolutionary new device that captures water vapor from the air to produce clean drinking water, addressing the global crisis of access to safe and affordable water.
The system, which resembles a large window, uses a black, water-absorbent hydrogel material to capture water vapor from the atmosphere. The captured vapor is then condensed onto a glass chamber, producing safe and drinkable water. The device runs entirely on its own, without a power source, unlike other designs that require batteries or electricity.
In a recent test in Death Valley, California, the device efficiently captured water vapor even in very low-humidity conditions, producing up to 160 milliliters of drinking water per day. This is significantly more than some other passive and actively powered designs.
The team’s new design addresses several key challenges in previous hydrogel-based water harvesters, including salt leakage and limited water absorption. By incorporating a special ingredient called glycerol, the researchers were able to stabilize salt within the hydrogel, preventing it from leaking out with the water.
The device has significant potential for global impact, particularly in resource-limited regions where access to clean drinking water is scarce. With further testing and optimization, the team plans to deploy an array of these panels, which could supply household-scale drinking water at a minimal footprint.
Source: https://news.mit.edu/2025/window-sized-device-taps-air-safe-drinking-water-0611