Scientists have created a new crystalline material that can extract water from the air without requiring any energy input to work. The efficiency achieved in this way is unprecedented.
The result is the work of an international team that includes, among others, Linfeng Lan, from Jilin University in the Chinese city of Changchun, and Pance Naumov, from New York University in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates. The latter is a university founded in the United Arab Emirates by New York University of the United States.
Earth’s atmosphere contains a colossal amount of untapped fresh water waiting to be harvested, provided there is a viable way to extract moisture from the air and retain and concentrate the resulting water.
The design of the new type of smart crystals, which the researchers called Janus crystals, is inspired by desert plants and animals, which can survive in extreme arid conditions. Desert beetles and lizards, for example, have evolved to develop surface structures on their bodies that have hydrophilic zones and hydrophobic zones and effectively capture moisture from the air. Water is attracted to the hydrophilic zones and droplets accumulate and are transported through the hydrophobic zones.
The researchers chose three chemically versatile organic compounds from which they made elastic organic crystals. They then tested how each of these materials interacted with water in the air, which led to the creation of a new class of water-capturing materials, Janus crystals, which contain hydrophilic and other hydrophobic regions on the surface, some to capture the water and others to transfer it to a container for collection.
A moment of research and development work on new crystals. (Photo: New York University Abu Dhabi)
Desalination is a widely used method of producing drinking water when there are no freshwater sources nearby. However, in addition to requiring proximity to a sea or salt lake, an energy-intensive process is required to separate the salt dissolved in the salt water. On the other hand, the process of condensation of atmospheric humidity used by Janus crystals is spontaneous under the normal environmental conditions of each location and can be carried out without energy input and without the need for liquid water, potentially providing an inexhaustible source of clean water.
Lan, Naumov and their colleagues present the technical details of their new system for extracting water from the air in the academic journal Journal of the American Chemical Society, under the title “Efficient Aerial Water Harvesting with Self-Sensing Dynamic Janus Crystals.” (Fountain: NCYT by Amazings)
How do Janus crystals compare to traditional water collection methods in terms of efficiency and sustainability?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Dr. Pance Naumov, Expert in Material Science
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Naumov! Thank you for joining us today to discuss your fascinating research on the new Janus crystals. Let’s dive right in. What inspired your team to develop this innovative crystalline material that can extract water from the air without any energy input?
Dr. Pance Naumov: Thank you for having me! The inspiration largely came from nature itself. We observed how desert plants and animals survive in arid conditions by evolving unique adaptations. For example, desert beetles and lizards have specific surface structures that help them capture and retain moisture. This observation led us to design our Janus crystals to mimic those features.
Time.news Editor: It’s incredible how much we can learn from nature! Can you explain further what the term “Janus crystals” refers to and how their design allows for such efficient water extraction?
Dr. Pance Naumov: Certainly! The name “Janus” comes from the Roman god who has two faces. Our crystals have two distinct surface properties: hydrophilic (water-attracting) zones and hydrophobic (water-repelling) zones. This design enables the water vapor in the air to condense on the hydrophilic areas, forming droplets that can then be channeled along the hydrophobic sections for collection. This dual functionality results in unprecedented efficiency in capturing moisture.
Time.news Editor: That’s fascinating! How did your team go about selecting the compounds to create these smart crystals?
Dr. Pance Naumov: We wanted to leverage materials that are not only effective but also versatile. We chose three chemically versatile organic compounds that could form elastic organic crystals. This selection allowed us to fine-tune the properties of the crystals to enhance the water-capturing ability while maintaining structural integrity.
Time.news Editor: Impressive approach! With Earth’s atmosphere containing substantial untapped fresh water, how does your technology contribute to addressing global water scarcity issues?
Dr. Pance Naumov: The potential is vast. This new method of water extraction could provide sustainable, energy-efficient solutions in regions facing severe water scarcity. By deploying these Janus crystals in areas with high humidity but limited freshwater sources, we could arguably harvest enough water to support local communities without adding pressure to existing resources.
Time.news Editor: That is indeed hopeful! As you look towards the future, what are the next steps for your research team? Do you foresee any practical applications in the near term?
Dr. Pance Naumov: Yes! We’re currently exploring scaling up the production of these crystals and testing them in various environmental conditions. Our vision is to integrate them into buildings or water collection systems that can continuously draw moisture from the air. Additionally, we are looking into partnerships with organizations focused on sustainable water solutions to expedite real-world implementation.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like the future of this technology is bright! Before we wrap up, what message would you like to send to the public regarding the significance of scientific innovation in water-related challenges?
Dr. Pance Naumov: I’d like to emphasize that scientific innovation has the power to address some of the most pressing challenges we face today, especially in the realm of sustainable resource management. Our work with Janus crystals is just one small step, but it showcases the potential of harnessing nature’s wisdom to create solutions for humanity. Collective support and investment in scientific research can lead to meaningful progress.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Naumov, for sharing your insights with us today! We look forward to seeing how your research evolves and contributes to making fresh water more accessible for all.
Dr. Pance Naumov: Thank you! It was a pleasure discussing our work with you.