MIT Develops Hydrogel Window Harvesting Drinking Water in Death Valley

MIT engineers have developed a passive, solar-powered water harvester made from a special hydrogel that efficiently extracts safe drinking water from air, even in extremely dry environments like California's Death Valley. The device, resembling a black bubble-wrap window, absorbs water vapor at night and condenses it during the day, producing between 57 and 161.5 milliliters of water daily without requiring electricity or solar panels. The hydrogel's bubble-shaped domes increase surface area for moisture absorption, while a polymer coating cools the glass to facilitate condensation. This technology overcomes previous challenges such as low water yield and contamination from lithium salts by securely retaining the salts, ensuring water safety without further processing. Researchers envision scaling up the device by connecting multiple panels to supply sufficient drinking water for families, particularly benefiting resource-limited and water-stressed regions globally. The innovation marks a significant step toward practical, decentralized water solutions for billions facing water insecurity worldwide.