Now Reading: German scientists create sponge-like material to pull water from dry air
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German scientists create sponge-like material to pull water from dry air
German scientists create sponge-like material to pull water from dry air
Researchers at Kiel University have developed a highly porous material, CAU-10-H, that can produce up to 1.8 litres of drinking water per kilogram daily even in dry air with just 18 per…
The Story in Brief
Researchers at Kiel University have developed a highly porous material, CAU-10-H, that can produce up to 1.8 litres of drinking water per kilogram daily even in dry air with just 18 per cent relative humidity. The metal organic framework captures water vapour at room temperature and releases it when heated to 70°C. The team combined it with carbon structures to speed up cycles, using electricity or sunlight.
The technology could also triple the cooling performance of silica gel in adsorption-based systems, potentially using waste heat from data centres or factories. The material has been produced at pilot scale for the first time, moving it closer to real-world use in regions like the Mediterranean where freshwater supplies are strained.
The Indian Opinion
The breakthrough is promising, but the narrative that it will soon solve water scarcity is overblown. CAU-10-H has existed for 15 years and only now reached pilot scale. Real-world deployment requires massive production, affordable costs, and integration into existing infrastructure. The cooling application may be more practical. Watch for the cost per litre of water produced and whether the material can maintain performance over thousands of cycles without degrading.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
