You’ve probably encountered it while unzipping the latest gadgets—A bag filled with transparent beads made of a material called silica gel that absorbs moisture to prevent electronic devices from rusting and rotting. Such materials are collect moisture in the air In dry areas or where there is no fresh water supply.that was the reason behind it innovative project It was launched by scientists from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. Their system, based on modified hydrogels, can harvest its own weight in water, even in low-water conditions. But to get there technology project I had to overcome some obstacles.
Their solution utilizes calcium chloride, a compound that is very good at absorbing moisture. In fact, this salt layer can become a puddle at room temperature. This property is called deliquescent or hygroscopic. However, calcium chloride presents challenges. The water produced is salt water. Scientists therefore took advantage of its absorption properties, but embedded this salt in hydrogel bubbles to keep it in a solid state. 0.42% of total weight).These structures are very efficient catch the suni.e. the heat required to evaporate water.
In our first test, we harvested 37 grams of water overnight using just 35 grams of material. Then, the next morning, they put it in the sun, and two and a half hours later, the hydrogel was already releasing water inside the device’s chamber.
Other articles mentioned different ranges Water collecting devicefrom harp system Prototype that utilizes organometallic materialsNevertheless, many of them are cumbersome and costly. In contrast, this Saudi hydrogel uses highly efficient technology, costing just half a cent a day to collect 3 liters of water. Enough to cover an adult’s daily needs.
king of absorption
The hydrogels devised by KAUST scientists are excellent water harvesters, but fall far short of absorption properties. innovative materials Developed at the National University of Singapore (NUS). This team followed a different approach using zinc oxide to create a material that can absorb more than 2.5 times its weight in water.When applied to walls as a coat of paint, this zinc oxide hydrogel It can reduce the relative humidity of a room by 20% in 7 minutes. In addition to its use as a dehumidifier, this new material could also have applications in electronic devices.
sauce: Indian Express, design news
