New biomass hydrogel technology extracts drinkable water from the air

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust Forward-looking: Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a novel method using natural materials to extract drinkable water from the air. Their "molecularly functionalized biomass hydrogels" system transforms organic matter – such as food scraps, branches, and seashells – into a highly efficient water-absorbing substance. The system combines specially engineered sorbents (materials that absorb liquids) with mild heat and can generate significant amounts of potable water, even in arid conditions. During field tests, the team demonstrated an impressive yield of 14.19 liters (3.75 gallons) of clean water per day per kilogram of sorbent – far surpassing the typical 1 to 5 liters achieved by most existing sorbents. "This opens up an entirely new way to think about sustainable water collection, marking a big step towards practical water harvesting systems for households ... Read full article.