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Amidst the deepening water crisis and rapidly falling groundwater levels across the world, scientists have discovered a miraculous solution that has reduced the worry of water shortage in the future to a great extent. Now there will be no need to depend only on rivers, ponds, wells or borewells for drinking water. With the help of modern technology, scientists have prepared a successful formula to convert the invisible moisture present in the air into pure and mineral-rich sweet water. This technology is proving to be lifesaving not only in coastal areas but also in extremely dry and barren desert areas.
There is a vast ocean of fresh water in the atmosphere.
Usually we look at rivers and groundwater as sources of water, but the Earth’s atmosphere is a huge store of fresh water. According to scientists, at any time about 13 trillion tons (13,000 cubic kilometers) of water is floating in the Earth’s atmosphere in the form of moisture. This quantity is much more than the total water of all the rivers on earth. The main objective of the scientists was to rapidly collect this natural moisture and convert it into liquid water without any chemical damage, which has now been made completely possible through ‘Atmospheric Water Generation’ (AWG) technology.
Condensation technique: the first way to absorb water from the air
The most popular method of making water from air is based on the condensation process, which is similar to the working principle of the air conditioner (AC) or refrigerator installed in our homes. Atmospheric water generator machines draw in surrounding air through a powerful fan. First of all this air passes through special air filters, due to which dust, soil, pollen and bacteria are separated. After this the clean air is passed over a cooling coil (condenser). As the temperature falls, the moisture present in the air turns into dew drops and starts collecting in a tank drop by drop. This system is capable of producing thousands of liters of water daily even in an environment with humidity of 30 to 40 percent.
‘MOF’ and solar hydrogel technology became a boon in the desert
In dry areas and deserts with low humidity where conventional condensers do not work, scientists from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and other global research institutes have developed a new formulation of ‘metal-organic framework’ (MOF) and super-absorbent hydrogel. It is a special sponge-like chemical structure, which absorbs water molecules within itself even when there is only 10 to 20 percent humidity in the air. When light sunlight or heat of solar energy falls on this substance during the day, the absorbed water comes out as steam and cools in a closed chamber and becomes pure liquid water. This entire process does not require external electricity grid and it works completely on solar energy.
Purity and Mineralization: Is tap water really healthy?
This question often arises in the minds of people whether it is safe to drink water made from air in times of air pollution? Scientists have equipped this system with several levels of purification process. When moisture from the air is collected in the form of water, it is passed through sediment filters, activated carbon filters and ultraviolet (UV) lamps, completely destroying microscopic viruses and germs. After this, essential minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium are added through ‘re-mineralization cartridge’ to make the water tasty and healthy naturally. This process makes this water more pure and tasty than the stringent standards of WHO and BIS.
Revolution in disaster management, army and remote areas
This technology of making water from air is proving to be a game-changer for disaster relief operations, war zones and remote villages. Where traditional pipelines and water sources become contaminated due to floods or earthquakes, these portable machines provide on-demand drinking water directly from the air without any external water supply. From the Indian Army to many global defense forces are also rapidly adopting this technology for water self-sufficiency at border posts. Along with this, many startups have also launched small-sized ‘air water dispensers’ for homes and offices in the market which provide 20 to 50 liters of fresh water daily directly from the air instead of tap.
Future needs and eco-friendly solutions
This technology completely works on the principle of ‘zero water wastage’, that is, unlike traditional RO purifiers, not a single drop of water is wasted in it. Being solar powered, it reduces carbon footprint and helps in eliminating dependence on plastic bottles. As the cost of this technology is decreasing, in the coming years it can become the main water source for every household and community where there is severe water crisis. This unique invention of scientists proves that the right combination of the laws of nature and modern science can provide permanent solutions to the biggest crises of human civilization.