Engineers have developed a super absorbent hydrogel that absorbs water from the desert air

Thanks to CTOnews.com netizens for the delivery of clues on the way! CTOnews.com, July 4, according to Scitechdaily, engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a new super absorbent material that can absorb large amounts of water from the air in dry environments such as deserts. This material is expected to be used for passive water collection and improve air conditioning efficiency.

This transparent, rubber-like material is made of hydrogel, a natural absorbent material that is also used to make diapers. Engineers added lithium chloride, a powerful desiccant, to the hydrogel that effectively absorbs water, including water vapor.

The researchers found that they were able to add more lithium chloride to the hydrogel than previously studied. As a result, they observed that the salty gel could absorb and maintain unprecedented moisture under a variety of humidity conditions and would not leak. When the material absorbs water vapor, it can expand to hold more moisture. Even under very dry conditions, with a relative humidity of only 30%, the material can absorb water vapor from the air and keep it moist. The water can then be heated and condensed and collected into ultra-pure water.

If the super absorbent gel can be made quickly and on a large scale, it can be used as a passive water collector, especially in deserts and water-scarce areas, where the material can constantly absorb water vapor from the air and then condense into drinking water. The researchers also envisioned that the material could be installed on air-conditioning equipment as an energy-saving and dehumidifying component.

The results of the study are published in the journal Advanced Materials, with an address attached to CTOnews.com.