Household-Scale Atmospheric Water Harvesting Using Hydrogel Materials

Water scarcity, intensified by factors such as population growth and rapid urbanization, has placed considerable strain on underserved communities, especially in off-grid arid regions without access to traditional water sources. In close collaboration with living labs at UM6P University in Morocco, this proposal seeks to pioneer a household-scale, hydrogel-based Atmospheric Water Harvesting (AWH) system specifically tailored to Morocco's unique environmental challenges. This initiative adopts a multiscale approach, encompassing the molecular-level design of hygroscopic hydrogels optimized for water capture in low-humidity settings, the hierarchical structural design for enhanced sorption and desorption kinetics for optimal water yield, the system-level design and optimization of a solar-powered AWH device with enhanced water condensation efficiency, and the strategic utilization of Morocco's abundant and sustainable natural resources. Initial prototypes will first undergo rigorous testing under lab conditions at MIT before transitioning to field tests in Morocco during subsequent phases. These efforts aim to culminate in the practical deployment of an industrial-scale AWH system that meets household demands, encapsulating the attributes of scalability, sustainability, affordability, and longevity. This project aims for not merely a scientific pursuit but a tangible answer to Morocco's water scarcity crisis harmoniously leveraging Morocco's plentiful resources.

MIT Project Team

Professor Xuanhe Zhao
Won Jun Song, Ph.D. student

more about the Zhao Group and this Project