A team of researchers from Jilin University and NYU Abu Dhabi has developed an incredible new material that can harvest water directly from the air—without using any energy.
These innovative “Janus crystals” are inspired by nature, mimicking the way desert plants and animals capture and collect moisture to survive in dry environments.
Desert beetles and lizards have unique surfaces that combine water-attracting (hydrophilic) and water-repelling (hydrophobic) areas.
These structures allow them to collect and transport water efficiently.
Inspired by this natural system, the researchers created smart crystals with similar features.
The crystals attract water droplets in their hydrophilic regions and then transfer the collected water through hydrophobic regions to a container.
The Janus crystals are made from specially chosen organic compounds that were grown into flexible, elastic structures.
Their translucent, lightweight design allows researchers to monitor the water collection process using light. These crystals capture fog and humidity from the air with the highest efficiency ever reported for such materials.
Water scarcity is a pressing global challenge. Traditional methods like desalination—removing salt from seawater—are expensive and energy-intensive.
In contrast, these crystals work naturally under normal conditions without needing any power source. They collect water from the air in a spontaneous process, offering a potentially endless supply of clean water.
Unlike other materials used for water harvesting, Janus crystals combine two functions at once: they not only collect water but also deliver it efficiently to a receptacle. This dual capability makes the process highly effective and maximizes the amount of water that can be harvested.
The Earth’s atmosphere holds a vast, untapped supply of fresh water. This new technology could be a gamechanger in addressing water shortages, particularly in arid regions where other sources are scarce.
“We urgently need materials that can efficiently capture and turn atmospheric humidity into drinkable water,” said Professor Pance Naumov, who led the research team.
The researchers believe that scaling up the use of these crystals could provide a sustainable solution to water scarcity.
“The Janus crystals not only demonstrate the benefits of organic materials but also open the door to designing active, efficient water-harvesting systems for societal use,” Naumov added.
With their ability to collect water naturally and efficiently, Janus crystals could play a vital role in combating water shortages and providing clean water to communities worldwide. This breakthrough brings us one step closer to harnessing the atmosphere’s hidden freshwater resources to solve a critical global issue.
