Water vapor harvesting materials and devices

Abstract

An atmospheric water harvesting material includes a deliquescent salt, a photothermal agent, and a polymeric hydrogel matrix containing the deliquescent salt and photothermal agent.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 672,865, filed on May 17, 2018, entitled “MATERIALS FOR SOLAR-ASSISTED ATMOSPHERIC WATER HARVESTING FOR FRESH WATER PRODUCTION,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 795,691, filed on Jan. 23, 2019, entitled “A SORPTION-BASED CONTINUOUS ATMOSPHERIC WATER GENERATOR (AWG) DEVICE,” the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUNDTechnical Field[0002]Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein generally relate to a device, materials, and method for harvesting atmospheric water vapor using a polymeric hydrogel that includes a deliquescent salt and a photothermal agent.Discussion of the Background[0003]Water is essential for life on this planet. Many regions of the world, however, do not have ready access to water. Further, even regions that have access to water, the available water may not be suitable for hu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes an invention for collecting and converting atmospheric water vapor into pure water using an atmospheric water harvesting material. The material includes a deliquescent salt, a photothermal agent, and a polymeric hydrogel matrix containing the two agents. The material is formed by freeze-drying a polymeric hydrogel matrix containing the photothermal agent, and then immersing it in a solution containing deliquescent salt. When the material is exposed to solar energy, it releases the water vapor into a condensation chamber where it is converted into pure water. The invention has applications in water purification and water recycling.

Problems solved by technology

Many regions of the world, however, do not have ready access to water.

Further, even regions that have access to water, the available water may not be suitable for human consumption.

), which are typically beyond what simple solar photothermal based heating devices are capable of offering.

One problem with the hydrogel disclosed in Document [2] is that it requires a heat source that is sufficient to raise the temperature of the hydrogel so that it converts to a hydrophobic phase.

Another problem with the hydrogel disclosed in Document [2] relates to its water release process.

This process will lead to a serious salt wash out and the hygroscopic, as well as other impurities precipitated from the hydrogel, will contaminate the collected water.

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