A new international research collaboration has developed a nanomaterial that can efficiently extract clean drinking water from air, offering hope for water-stressed regions worldwide. The material, developed by a team led by UNSW Associate Professor Rakesh Joshi and Nobel Laureate Professor Sir Kostya Novoselov, can absorb over three times its weight in water and does so faster than existing technologies. The material is built on graphene oxide and uses calcium ions to enhance its water adsorption properties. It can be formed into a sponge-like structure, known as an aerogel, which allows it to absorb water efficiently and release it with minimal energy. The technology has the potential to provide clean drinking water to the 2.2 billion people worldwide who lack access to it. The collaborative research, which includes contributors from several countries, marks a significant breakthrough in addressing one of the world’s most pressing problems – access to clean water. The team is now working with industry partners to scale the technology for practical deployment.
Scientists achieve innovative nanomaterial discovery to harvest pure water from atmospheric air.
