The MIT team created an extra-absorbent hydrogel capable of pulling water from the air in even the most desert-like conditions. Even in Murcia it would work.
Engineers at MIT have developed an incredibly absorbent version of a material commonly found in disposable diapers that could help drought-stricken communities and make air conditioning devices more efficient.
Hydrogels are gummy and transparent materials known for their ability to retain large amounts of water. Apart from their use in diapers, hydrogels are also useful in manufacturing contact lenses, hygiene products, and wound dressings.
The MIT team created an extra-absorbent hydrogel capable of extracting water from the air, even in the most arid conditions.
From diapers to the desert, that’s how we will end drought
To achieve this, the researchers infused the hydrogel with lithium chloride, a specific type of salt. They found that they could put more salt into the hydrogel than previously believed possible, and the salt-infused gel retained “unprecedented” levels of moisture in all kinds of environments.
The researchers claim that this new hydrogel offers real possibilities because it can be quickly mass-produced. In theory, the gel could be used to passively capture water in the desert and drought-stricken regions.
It would be configured to continuously absorb water vapor, which could then condense and be used as drinking water. Scientists also envision using it as a dehumidifying element in air conditioning devices, which would reduce their energy consumption.
Extreme Water Uptake of Hygroscopic Hydrogels through Maximized Swelling-Induced Salt Loadinghttps://t.co/BSRYpsBINb
— Ordo Fraterna Fibonacci (@OrdoFibonacci) June 16, 2023
According to MIT, lithium chloride can absorb more than 10 times its own weight in moisture. It is so absorbent that if left in an open pile, water vapor would automatically accumulate around it.
At an extremely dry relative humidity of 30%, the gels absorbed 1.79 grams of water per gram of material, which is a remarkable record. Now, the team is focused on figuring out how to accelerate the process further.
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Author: Chema Carvajal Sarabia
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