Derek Hao, PhD, a materials scientists and environmental engineer at Australia’s RMIT University, and one of the study’s co-authors, revealed that the material absorbs moisture from the atmosphere, and using solar energy, releases the collected water directly into a cup.
The device achieved an impressive water collection efficiency of up to 94 percent in outdoor testing. It additionally remained effective across a broad range of environmental conditions, including humidity levels ranging from 30 to 90 percent, and temperatures between 41 and 131 degrees Fahrenheit.
This, according to the senior researcher, further highlights its potential for use in off-grid and disaster-stricken areas.