MIT researchers have developed a high-tech device that can collect safe drinking water directly from the air, even in extreme environments like Death Valley. The “bubble wrap” technology uses hydrogel, a highly water-absorbent material, enclosed between two layers of glass to absorb water vapor at night and condense it during the day.
The device consists of domes resembling bubble wrap that swell up when absorbing water vapor, increasing its surface area to hold more water. In a test in Death Valley, the device produced about 1/4 cup to 2/3 cup of water per day. The design is more effective than previous attempts and doesn’t require electricity.
A significant improvement was also made in reducing lithium salts, which can leak into the collected water, rendering it unsafe to drink. A salt stabilizer called glycerol reduces leakage to below 0.06 ppm, making the water safe for consumption.
The device’s compact size means multiple panels can be set up for a household, and its cost-effectiveness could pay for itself in under a month. The researchers plan to test the panels in additional environments to learn more about their performance under different conditions.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/technology/engineering/mits-high-tech-bubble-wrap-turns-air-into-safe-drinking-water-even-in-death-valley