Julika Schwarz Zusammenarbeit mit Louisa Graupe

Water from Air

Is the solution to the lack of water around us in the air?

The lack of water and access to clean drinking water are a growing problem in many regions of the world. With the Water from Air concept, we have utilised an innovative material. Metal-Organic-Framework (MOF for short)* materials can absorb water from the air like a sponge and release it again as drinking water. At any given time, the air contains more water than all the rivers on earth, so our project is a vision to counter the lack of water.

As this type of material has so far only been used in complex laboratory experiments, we have designed a practical solution and application for people all over the world. Water from Air is designed as a mobile water producer and storage unit that can be used flexibly in private households. We show that the vision of obtaining clean water from the air can be realised in order to change life sustainably in times of climate change.

*MOF is a material category that is the subject of intensive research, including at the Institute of Materials Chemistry at the University of Vienna and UC Berkeley.