The contribution to water shortages: Solar sponge filters moisture from the air first appeared at the online magazine Basic Thinking. You can start the day well every morning via our newsletter update.
Researchers have developed a kind of solar sponge that can filter moisture from the air. It could be used primarily in dry regions with water shortages.
An international team of researchers has A new method Developed with which drinking water can be obtained from air humidity. A power connection is not necessary for this. The development is a kind of solar sponge: a porous material that uses solar energy to pull water out of the air. The technology could be used in dry regions or disaster areas.
The solar sponge consists of a hydrophilic polymer that absorbs water molecules from the ambient air. During the day, the sun heats the material, whereupon the water evaporates and then condenses. Processes that run in nature every day serve as a template. The special thing about it is that the sponge works without external energy source. This makes it ideal for applications beyond expanded infrastructures.
Solar sponge filters up to five liters of water a day
The team was able to filter out of the air with a square meter solar sponge depending on the humidity of up to five liters of clean water. Even with low humidity, the principle worked relatively efficiently. According to the researchers, the solar sponge could be scaled well and use it decentrally by the use of inexpensive materials.
Another advantage: the system is low in maintenance and does not require complex infrastructure. This makes it particularly attractive for regions with unstable water supply, for rural areas or use in humanitarian missions. The sponge could also save lives as an emergency solution for drought or earthquakes.
Sustainable water extraction with potential
The method is part of a growing number of technologies that are geared towards sustainable water extraction. In contrast to sea water relaxation, the system does not require pressure or electrical energy. It is not only environmentally friendly, but also economically interesting.
The researchers are currently working on the further development of the material to enable even higher yields. The aim is to develop a market -ready product that can be used worldwide. From Subsahara Africa to remote mountain regions. The solar sponge shows how solar energy and simple materials can be combined to solve one of the most pressing problems in humanity: access to clean water.
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The contribution to water shortages: Solar sponge filters moisture from the air first appeared on basic thinking. Follow us too Google News and Flipboard Or subscribe to our update newsletter.
As a Tech Industry expert, I think the idea of using solar sponge technology to filter moisture from the air to combat water shortage is a promising innovation. This technology could potentially provide a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to regions facing water scarcity.
By harnessing solar energy to power the sponge filters, this approach has the potential to be cost-effective and easily deployable in areas where traditional water sources are limited. Additionally, the ability to extract moisture from the air could provide a reliable source of clean water for communities in need.
However, there are some challenges that need to be addressed, such as the efficiency of the sponge filters in different atmospheric conditions and the scalability of the technology for widespread implementation. It will also be important to consider the potential environmental impacts of extracting large amounts of moisture from the air.
Overall, I believe that the development of solar sponge technology for filtering moisture from the air has the potential to be a game-changer in the fight against water shortage, and I am excited to see how this innovation progresses in the future.
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