Scientists at MIT have created a solar-powered device that can make clean drinking water from the air without using electricity. The device, reported in the journal Nature Water, could help millions of people who don’t have enough water.
This research uses a special material called a metal-organic framework (MOF) that can extract water from very dry air, even though the humidity is only 20%. When sunlight heats the MOF, it releases the water, which is then collected for drinking.
According to MIT, one kilogram of MOF material can produce up to 2.8 liters of clean water every day. Field tests in Arizona’s desert proved that the water meets World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The device runs entirely on solar energy, needs very little maintenance, and can last more than 10 years.
The World Health Organization estimates that 2.2 billion people around the world still lack access to safe drinking water. This invention could provide hope for remote communities, disaster-hit areas, and regions suffering from drought and climate change.
Researchers say that if the device is made on a large scale, the cost could drop to just €0.02 per liter, making it very affordable.
Humanitarian groups are already planning to use it in Africa and the Middle East by 2026. Commercial production is expected to begin within the next three years.
Experts also think the device could be useful for the military, space missions, and emergency situations where normal water supplies are not available.
Source
0 Comments