A cheap hydrogel that can suck moisture out of the air and then release it on demand might be the answer to drinking water shortages in arid regions. Researchers from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) suggest an inexpensive hydrogel-based material they have developed can suck water from the air, even in low humidity conditions and release the water back out when warmed by sunlight. There are many areas around the globe that are affected by a lack of access to clean water. The earth’s air is a possibly untapped resource for clean water. It is estimated that the Earth’s air contains more than 13 trillion tonnes of potable water. A simple 35-gram prototype of the completed extraction device was left outside and managed to collect 37 g of water in weather conditions of 60 percent humidity. Credit: Seeker
