Mostly deserts have no access to water. More than a third of world’s population live in drylands, areas that experience significant water shortages. Engineers and scientists from University of Texas at Austin have developed a unique solution that could help people in these areas have access to clean drinking water. The researchers have developed a low cost gel film that comprises abundant materials that can pull water from. This process works in driest climates.
The materials that can facilitate this reaction cost just $2 per kilogram and a single kilogram of the material can produce moiré than 6 liters in places with less than 15% relative humidity and 13 liters in areas with up to 30% relative humidity. “ This new work is about practical solutions that people can use get water in the hottest, driest places on Earth,” said Guihua Yu, professor of material science and mechanical engineering. With this new application millions of people can get access to drinking water to have simple, water generating devices at home.
In this research renewable cellulose and a common kitchen ingredient konjac gum, as a main hydrophilic (attracted to water) skeleton was used. The open pore structure of gum speeds up the moisture capturing process. Although 6 liters does not sound like much the researchers say creating thicker films can increase amount they yield. The film is flexible and can be molded into variety of shapes and sizes. With this new application millions of people can get access to drinking water to have simple, water generating devices at home.
