• : I'mnovation
    Imnovation
      • Startups
      • esp
      • eng
    • Energy
    • Construction
    • Water
    • dt Created with Sketch. Digital Transformation
    • st Created with Sketch. Science & Technology
    • Society
    • SUSCRÍBETE A NUESTRA RSS
      • Startups
      • esp
      • eng
  • Home
  • Science & Technology
  • A New Generation of Materials to Harvest Water Vapor
Previous Next
  • A New Generation of Materials to Harvest Water Vapor

    Developed by the University of Texas, it captures and channels water molecules. The key lies in its hydrophilic properties.

One way or another, every living being on our planet depends on water. That’s why it is the first element we look for on other planets in our search of extraterrestrial life. Understandably then, nature has developed a wide range of techniques for organisms to capture water from the environment—from Californian redwoods that absorb moisture through their leaves and branches all the way to the Namibian beetle that harvests water vapor with its exoskeleton. These two examples demonstrate the ability of materials to capture atmospheric moisture. Redwoods, for instance, can cover one third of their water needs in such a way, while the beetles manage to survive under extremely arid conditions. As we already discussed in a previous article, there are plenty of vapor harvesting technologies for human consumption. Now, a group of scientists from University of Texas has improved the process of water collection by creating a material with a hydrophilic lubricant.

According to their publication in the magazine Science Advanced, the key lies in the creation of slippery rough surfaces (SRS) with hydrophilic properties and the ability to guide water droplets in a certain direction. These slippery and coarse areas are much more efficient than the existing technologies, which are based on slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces o (SLIPS). Before going any further, though, we should clarify some of these initials. The SLIPS technology makes use of an innovative porous material infused with a lubricant fluid. Thus, it achieves a repellant and self-cleaning surface that repels water, but also dust specks and other pollutants. Inspired by these materials, as well as the Namib beetle and pitcher plants, the SRS technology goes a step further and fosters the accumulation of larger drops, funneling them into reservoirs via lubricated microgrooves. 

Therefore, the two main properties of this technological innovation are the ability to attract water droplets, as some desert beetles do, and provide an extremely slippery surface, as the one provided by pitcher plants. To that end, the researchers have leveraged the characteristics of hydroxy functional groups, which are extremely hydrophilic and are the main ingredient composing the lubricant. Additionally, the material where the lubricant is applied sports a set of nanotextures that provide increased mobility for the droplets. 

Applications of superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic materials

According to the researchers, the new surface would be able to collect up to an estimated 120 liters per square meter daily. Besides the ability to harvest water vapor, the SRS system enjoys a slew of other applications, whether in air conditioning systems, industrial equipment, or as a surface to keep ship hulls clean by preventing the accumulation of rust and debris.

On the other hand, there are techniques that employ carbon nanotubes or laser etching to create superhydrophobic surfaces. These achieve the opposite effect, repelling liquids in an extremely efficient manner and even at times causing water droplets to bounce on impact. These new materials can combat rust, ice, and layer over solar panels to prevent water or impurities from accumulating and reducing their efficiency.

One of the most striking technologies in this field is a material developed at the University of British Columbia (UBC), which makes use of an electrical current to alternate between superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic states with the flick of a switch.

Source: Phys.org

  • Water

Share on social media

{{CommentsCount}} Comments

Currently no one has commented on the news.
Be the first to leave a comment.

{{firstLevelComment.Name}}

{{firstLevelComment.DaysAgo}} days ago

{{firstLevelComment.Text}}

Answer

{{secondLevelComment.Name}}

{{secondLevelComment.DaysAgo}} days ago

{{secondLevelComment.Text}}

Write your comment

All fields are mandatory.

Name

Email address

Comments

250 max char.

Accept the information on data protection

You must accept the information on data protection

{{btnSendCommentText}}

Thank you for your comment

Information on data protection

In compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on Data Protection and with other Data Protection regulations in force, you are hereby informed that your personal data shall be processed by Acciona, S.A. (hereinafter “ACCIONA”), whose identification data are as follows: Tax ID No. (NIF): A08001851, Address: Avenida de Europa, 18, Parque Empresarial de la Moraleja, 28108 in Alcobendas, Madrid, Tel. No.: +34 91 663 28 50, email: protecciondedatos@acciona.com, in order to address and manage your queries, requests, claims and suggestions, as well as to electronically send information regarding our products and services through the contact email address.

The consent given by users when they contact us comprises the legal grounds for processing the data.

The data shall be stored as long as the relationship is maintained and the elimination thereof is not requested, and in any case, never for more than twelve months.

In the event your request is not addressed to ACCIONA but to an entity belonging to the Acciona Group, such entity shall transmit the data to the Group company that can most efficiently address your request for information or a service. Accordingly, when these data are transferred such transfer may be international due to the fact that these companies are located in countries outside the European Union, in order to address the communication needs among the individuals that comprise the Group at the global level. (You can consult a list of Group companies at www.acciona.com/shareholders-investors/financial-information/annual-accounts/. By accepting the privacy terms, you consent to your data being transferred internationally in order for your request to be properly processed. Other data transfers are not anticipated, except where required by law.

The interested party can exercise their rights of portability and to access, correct, eliminate, restrict and oppose the processing of their data before Acciona, S.A. by addressing ACCIONA in writing at the Department of Data Protection located at Avenida de Europa, 18, 28108, in Alcobendas, Madrid or by sending an email to the following address: protecciondedatos@acciona.com. In either case, the interested party must enclose or attach a copy of their National ID (DNI) or other ID. Furthermore, at any time the interested party may withdraw the granted consent by contacting the aforementioned address and file a claim before the Supervisory Authority (the Spanish Data Protection Agency www.aepd.es).

You can find more information in our Privacy Policy on our website.

Subscribe to our newsletter

... and stay informed with the latest news on innovation.

Send me the newsletter
{{ btnSendText }}

Wrong email format

Accept the information on data protection

You must accept the information on data protection

YOU'RE JUST ONE STEP AWAY!

Please, confirm your subscription on the email we have sent you and your registration will be completed.

YOU ARE ALREADY SUBSCRIBED TO THE NEWSLETTER!

If you've missed our content, try checking your junk mailbox and add us to your address book so you can enjoy them without any problem.

Information on data protection

In compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on Data Protection and with other Data Protection regulations in force, you are hereby informed that your personal data shall be processed by Acciona, S.A. (hereinafter “ACCIONA”), whose identification data are as follows: Tax ID No. (NIF): A08001851; Address: Avenida de Europa, 18, Parque Empresarial La Moraleja, 28108 in Alcobendas, Madrid; Tel. No.: +34 91 663 28 50; email: protecciondedatos@acciona.com. Your data shall be processed in order to send you information, through the subscription to our Newsletter through electronic means, regarding our latest technological innovation of ACCIONA´s initiative "I’MNOVATION #Hub", which aims to bring the general public main news, advances and curiosities of the innovation technology of all the companies that make up the ACCIONA Group.

 

The consent given by the data subject by indicating that they have read and accept this data protection information comprises the lawfulness of processing. The data provide is your email address. If you fails to provide the required data, the subscription Request cannot be satisfied. We may also process your satisfaction or preferences, if you voluntarily respond to surveys. Data shall be stored until the elimination is requested.

In order to carry out our purpose, we may give access to your data to service providers (such as technology service providers) who assist us in fulfilling this purpose. Some of its service providers, may be located outside of the European Economic Area in territories that do not offer a level of data protection that is comparable to that of the European Union. In such cases, we transfer User data with appropriate safeguards and always ensuring the security of the same.

 

The data subject can exercise their rights of portability and to access, correct, eliminate, restrict and oppose the processing of their data to Acciona, S.A. by writing the Department of Data Protection located at Avenida de Europa, 18, 28108, Parque Empresarial La Moraleja, in Alcobendas, Madrid or by sending an email to the following address: protecciondedatos@acciona.com. If we consider it necessary in order to be able to identify you, we may ask you for a copy of an identity document. Furthermore, at any time the data subject may withdraw the granted consent by contacting the aforementioned address and file a claim to the Supervisory Authority (Agencia Española de Protección de Datos www.aepd.es). You can also unsubscribe from the Newsletter communication.

 

For any further information you can visit the Privacy Police on the website https://www.acciona.com/privacy-policy/.

More about Science & Technology

  • Science & Technology

    Nanotextures solve a historic problem

    Nanotexturing that prevents scale forming on the inside of pipes can reduce plant maintenance costs significantly

  • Science & Technology

    3D printers on the march

    Liquid metal enables new 3D printers to work up to 100 times faster than earlier models

  • Science & Technology

    Futuristic adhesive imitates the gecko’s unique sticking skills

    The secret of this revolutionary new material is found at nano level, where the researchers have come up with a peculiar surface geometry to imitate the characteristics of the feet of geckos.

Featured topics

Read the most discussed articles

  • Innovation
  • Technology
  • New materials
  • Robots
  • Renewable energies
  • Sustainability
  • 3D printing
  • Graphene
  • Drones
  • Biomimicry
  • Water
  • Nature

Categories

  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Water
  • Digital Transformation
  • Science & Technology
  • Society

Featured topics

  • Innovation
  • Renewable energies
  • Sustainability
  • Technology
  • Water
  • Robots

Innovation is a change that introduces new features. The concept is generally used in the sense of inventions, new ideas, devices, methods and processes, and the application of improved solutions meeting fresh economic or societal requirements. Strictly speaking, however, ideas can only be termed “innovations” once they have imposed themselves as successful new products, services or procedures.

About us
Subscribe to our RSS
Imnovation
Acciona

An ACCIONA innovation initiative

  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Legal notice
  • Site map
  • Contact
  • ACCIONA's websites