Super Moisture Absorbent Gels

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ID
146751
Uploaded by
WIPO GREEN Admin
Type
Technology
Source
User uploads
Published
2022/08/28
Updated
2022/11/17
Email Owner
University of Texas at Austin
Super moisture absorbent gels can harvest water from the air and provide water to the plants upon solar heating regardless of the local accessibility to liquid water resources.
Engineers at the University of Texas have developed an atmospheric water irrigation system based on a new type of soil – super moisture absorbent gel (SMAG). This gel added to soil harvests water from cooler, more humid night-time air. During day-time, solar heating of the soil activates the gels. These then release water into the soil, providing water for plants even in drought-ridden areas. Some of the water distributed through the gels into the soil evaporates, increasing humidity. This could liberate farming systems in underdeveloped and dry areas from relying on long-distance water and power supplies for irrigation. Depending on crop, approximately 0.1–1 kg of the soil can provide enough water to irrigate about 1 km² of farmland.

Getty Images /© LuFeeTheBear
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