Singapore has developed a method for extracting fresh water from the air

The problem of shortage of fresh water in the nearthe future will affect more than half of the world's inhabitants. Many countries around the world are already starting to develop national programs for the conservation, extraction and recycling of water. It is not surprising that Singapore has achieved outstanding success in this direction - an island state that does not have large natural sources of fresh water and extracts water from the sewage system by desalination, accumulation of sediments in reservoirs and receiving from abroad (Program of four national taps).

Scientists in Singapore are also striving to develop allnew highly efficient ways of obtaining fresh water. The latest developments of the research team from the National University of Singapore (NUS), will allow you to literally get water from the air, extracting it using a spongy airgel, without spending energy.

A unique airgel material that islong elongated polymer molecules on a metal frame. The complex chemical structure of the material continually switches between attracting and repelling water. "Smart airgel" without external energy inputs collects water molecules, condenses them into a liquid and pushes it out. The mechanism works like a sponge that sucks in water and then gives it away, without having to squeeze it out. The developers note that when exposed to the sun's rays, the airgel goes into a state of "complete hatred of water", which makes it possible to extract about 95% of the water in a vapor state from the air.

Test tests have shown that the material does notworn out over several months of continuous water production. The experimental material worked for more than 1400 hours without receiving energy from the outside, extracting water from a humid environment with a capacity of 17 liters per day per kilogram of airgel. It is noteworthy that the obtained water meets all WHO standards for drinking water.
Scientists are currently looking for financialpartners to adapt the airgel for home or industrial use, as well as sports and extreme survival kits.

Source: nus