Researchers from Jilin University and NYU Abu Dhabi have developed innovative Janus crystals capable of harvesting water from air without requiring any energy input, drawing inspiration from desert organisms. This could be a significant step toward addressing global water scarcity.
A team of researchers from Jilin University and NYU Abu Dhabi has developed a groundbreaking crystalline material that could revolutionize how we collect water from the atmosphere, a solution especially vital for arid regions facing water scarcity.
Led by Pance Naumov, a professor of chemistry at NYUAD, the research brings forward “Janus crystals,” a new class of smart materials inspired by desert flora and fauna. These Janus crystals are designed to mimic the water-collecting capabilities of desert beetles and lizards, which possess surface structures that efficiently capture moisture from the air.
The crystals, named after the two-faced Roman god Janus, feature hydrophilic (water-attracting) regions that capture moisture and hydrophobic (water-repelling) regions that channel the collected water into a receptacle.
Credit: NYU Abu Dhabi
“The earth’s atmosphere contains an abundance of untapped fresh water, but we desperately need materials that can efficiently capture and collect this humidity and condense it into potable water,” Naumov, who also serves as the director of the NYUAD Center for Smart Engineering Materials (CSEM) and leads the Smart Materials Lab (SML) at NYUAD, said in a news release.
Utilizing three different organic compounds, the researchers crafted elastic organic crystals and tested their interactions with airborne water. The result was the formation of Janus crystals capable of the highest-to-date water collection efficiency. Their unique structure allows for real-time monitoring of fog droplet condensation using light, which adds to their functionality.
Unlike energy-intensive desalination processes, Janus crystals operate under ambient conditions and require no energy input, making them an accessible and sustainable option for regions with limited resources. This efficient water-harvesting process combines both water-collection and water-delivery functions directly on the crystal surface.
“The crystals developed by our team not only capitalize on the mechanical compliance and optical transparency of organic crystals, but also pave the way for the design of active, self-sensing and efficient surface-active harvesters which, when used at a larger scale, can help us combat water scarcity at a societal level,” Naumov added.
The team’s findings, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, holds immense potential in providing a sustainable solution to water scarcity, harnessing the unexplored reservoir of atmospheric humidity.
As the planet faces growing water scarcity issues, innovations like the Janus crystals could play a crucial role in ensuring access to clean water across the globe, particularly in regions where traditional water sources are diminishing.