By Abbas Nazil
A groundbreaking innovation developed by researchers at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is turning heads with its ability to extract drinkable water from extremely dry desert air—even in conditions with as little as 10 percent humidity.
This breakthrough, led by mechanical engineering professor H. Jeremy Cho and his team, represents a significant leap forward in the field of atmospheric water harvesting, offering new hope for regions battling severe drought and water scarcity due to climate change.
The new method outperforms existing water harvesting systems, which typically struggle when humidity levels fall below 30 percent.
Tested in Las Vegas, one of the driest cities in the United States, the system has proven capable of drawing clean water from the air under some of the harshest atmospheric conditions.
At its core is a nature-inspired hydrogel membrane that mimics the water-absorbing surfaces of certain plants and amphibians.
This special “skin” efficiently pulls water vapor from the air and directs it into a liquid salt solution, where it can then be processed into drinkable water or used for other purposes, including energy generation.
Unlike many conventional technologies that require significant infrastructure or energy input, this innovative solution is designed to function using solar power.
This makes it especially suitable for remote or off-grid areas where water infrastructure is limited or nonexistent.
By capturing sunlight and using a small fan, the system collected more than five kilograms of water per square meter in a single day during outdoor tests.
Cho emphasizes the system’s efficiency, noting that even a one-square-meter setup could produce around a gallon of water daily in dry climates—much more in humid regions.
To transition from lab to real-world application, Cho co-founded WAVR Technologies, Inc., the first university spinoff supported by the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines program.
WAVR is now developing personal and commercial devices aimed at providing sustainable water solutions across various settings, including homes, farms, emergency zones, and communities facing increasing water stress.
As the climate crisis intensifies and traditional water sources become less reliable, this innovation presents a promising alternative.
It offers a way to decentralize water access, reduce dependence on dwindling freshwater supplies, and ensure water availability in arid and drought-prone areas without the need for extensive infrastructure.
Through the lens of biomimicry and cutting-edge materials science, the research proves that the seemingly impossible—making water from thin air—is not only feasible but already happening.