Atmospheric water harvesting: can we get water out of thin air?

There are four main methods for extracting water from the atmosphere, but each of these technologies is in different stages of development, making it difficult to compare their effectiveness, especially in varying conditions. The researchers’ solution was to create a system of benchmarks based on ideal energy use and environmental conditions. This research has been published in Energy & Environmental Science, and the team is currently working with a school in west Africa to test its methods.

“Looking at the map, it’s interesting that the areas where atmospheric water harvesting is most efficient are also places where water quality is a constant worry,” said David Warsinger, assistant professor of mechanical engineering. “Places like the Amazon, the Congo, India/Bangladesh and Southeast Asia have great potential to reduce diseases caused by contaminated groundwater. Atmospheric water harvesting is not just about scarcity; it’s about water quality as well.”

More information can be read on the Purdue University School of Mechanical Engineering website.