American scientists create water out of thin air

American researchers unveiled yesterday, what could be the salvation of millions coming as a remarkable innovative feat, by developing a device that is able to get water straight out of thin air.

Scientists have now created a box-like device, which can convert low-humidity air into water, producing several liters of water every 12 hours, according to the study published in the journal ‘Science’.

Evelyn Wang, a mechanical engineer at MIT and co-author of the paper said, “It takes water from the air and it captures it [and could possibly be] really great for remote areas where there’s really limited infrastructure.”

The system, which is still in its beta testing phase, employs the use of a material that resembles fine to powdery sand to trap air in its pores and upon being heated by the sun or a different source, water molecules in the air trapped are released and condensed; in essence ‘producing’ water out of the atmosphere.

A recent test on a roof at MIT confirmed that the system can produce about a glass of water every hour in 20 to 30 per cent humidity.

Albeit, there are companies who are already producing atmospheric water-generating units that what sets this new prototype aside is the fact it can cultivate water in low-humid environments using no energy whatsoever.

“It doesn't have to be this complicated system that requires some kind refrigeration cycle. Now we can get to regions that really are pretty dry, arid regions, we can provide them with a device, and they can use it pretty simply,” Wang said whilst talking to foreign media.

In the coming years, Wang anticipates that the developers will find a way to mass-produce the devices on larger scales and eventually creating a decent enough a formal product.