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The examples of robust materials. Left: is a robust material with a stainless mesh, co-knitted with poly material. Right: a 3D net structure (1 cm thickness) of poly material [2].
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The scope of this paper is to review different types of sustainable water harvesting methods from the atmospheric fogs and dew. In this paper, we report upon the water collection performance of various fog collectors around the world. We also review technical aspects of fog collector feasibility studies and the efficiency improvements. Modern fog h...
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Correction for ‘An overview of atmospheric water harvesting methods, the inevitable path of the future in water supply’ by Zahra Ahrestani et al. , RSC Adv. , 2023, 13 , 10273–10307, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2RA07733G.
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... 3,4 The primary processes of AWH on rigid substrates involve (1) water collection (i.e., fog capture and/or dew condensation) and (2) water droplet transport. 5,6 Inspired by desert-dwelling organisms, 7-9 the earlier AWH studies attempt to enhance both processes by incorporating various patterns with heterogeneous wettability, 10,11 including spheres, 12,13 strips, 14,15 meshes, 16,17 and wedge-shaped tracks. 18,19 Despite the widespread use of these geometric designs, they often face a trade-off between optimizing water collection and droplet transport due to the challenges in tailoring heterogeneous wettability and surface structures. ...
Atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) has been extensively researched as a sustainable solution to current freshwater scarcity. Various bioinspired AWH surfaces have been developed to enhance water-harvesting performance, yet challenges remain in optimizing their structures. In this work, we report a dual-biomimetic AWH surface that combines beetle-inspired heterogeneous wettability with leaf-skeleton-based hierarchical microstructures on a rigid substrate. An authentic leaf skeleton innovatively serves as the mask during photolithography complemented by O2-plasma treatment, enabling precise design of superhydrophilic SiO2 structures with a hierarchy of vein orders forming reticulate meshes on a hydrophobic Si substrate. This design facilitates enhanced water collection through intricate reticulate meshes and directional droplet transport along the abundant multi-order veins. Such AWH surface shows a water-harvesting efficiency of 172 mg cm⁻² h⁻¹, increasing up to 62% and 58% over the pristine SiO2/Si wafer and Si wafer, respectively. Additionally, the role of structure orientation in the open-surface droplet transport is explored while the AWH surface is vertically placed during the water-harvesting process. This work highlights the potential of using meticulous natural designs, like leaf skeletons, to improve AWH surfaces, with broad applications in compact devices, such as on-chip evaporative cooling and planar microfluidics manipulation.
... These systems, due to their simple mechanism, were among the first water collection systems to be used and developed. 24 As presented in Fig. 2, classic passive systems include rainwater collection ( Fig. 2a and b), 25,26 fog capture ( Fig. 2c and d), 27,28 dew collection ( Fig. 2e and f), 29,30 and others. Rainwater collection, being the simplest form of water harvesting technology, has been utilized in agricultural production and daily life for thousands of years. ...
Water scarcity is a pressing issue worldwide. Given the ample atmospheric water sources, water harvesting from the atmosphere presents a promising solution to this challenge. In recent years, the solar-driven atmospheric water harvesting technology utilizing an adsorption-desorption process has garnered considerable interest. This is attributed to the abundant availability of solar energy, advanced adsorbents, improved photothermal materials, sophisticated interface heating system designs, and efficient thermal management techniques, all of which collectively enhance conversion efficiency. This article provides an overview of the advancements in atmospheric water collection, specifically focusing on hygroscopic water harvesting driven by solar energy. The discussion also encompasses the roles of materials, surfaces, equipment, and systems in enhancing water collection efficiency. By outlining both the advantages and challenges of atmospheric water collection, this study aims to shed light on future research directions in this research field.
... Furthermore, DPT plays a crucial role in various engineering applications such as construction [7,8] and industry. Controlling humidity through dew point manipulation is essential for ensuring product quality and process efficiency in diverse sectors like food processing [9], electronics manufacturing [10], or water harvesting [2,11]. Additionally, most studies analyzing humid air in ambient conditions of temperature and pressure focus on partial pressure calculation, relegating the DPT as a secondary parameter [12,13]. ...
... The accurate estimation of dew point temperature (DPT) plays a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and performance of various systems, ranging from meteorological forecasting to industrial applications, extending to the design of atmospheric water capture systems [1,2]. The DPT refers to the temperature at which the atmosphere reaches saturation with water vapor, leading to the condensation of a portion of this suspended water [3]. ...
Accurate dew point estimation is crucial for measuring water condensation in various fields such as environmental studies, agronomy, or water harvesting, among others. Despite the numerous models and equations developed over time, including empirical and machine learning approaches, they often involve trade-offs between accuracy, simplicity, and computational cost. A major limitation of the current approaches is the lack of balance among these three factors, limiting their practical applications under diverse conditions. This research addresses these key challenges by developing a new, streamlined equation for dew point estimation. Using the Magnus–Tetens equation, deemed as the most reliable equation, as a benchmark, and by applying a process of non-linear regression fitting and parametric optimization, a new equation was derived. The results demonstrate high accuracy with a streamlined implementation, validated through extensive data and computational simulations. This study highlights the importance of accurate dew point modeling, especially under variable environmental conditions, provides a reliable solution to existing limitations, paving the way for enhanced efficiency in related processes and research endeavors, and offers researchers and practitioners a practical tool for more effective modeling of water condensation phenomena.
... In rural regions where freshwater is transported over long distances, this offers a viable decentralised approach (Nikkhah et al. 2023). Atmospheric water harvesting, referred to in this article as AWH, is classified into two categories: fog and dew collecting, with the latter also referred to as a condensation method ( Jarimi et al. 2020;Ahrestani et al. 2023). Fog is harvested through a passive, low-cost, lowmaintenance system using a flat structure with a mesh whereon droplets coalesce (Schemenauer et al. 2022). ...
... Fog is harvested through a passive, low-cost, lowmaintenance system using a flat structure with a mesh whereon droplets coalesce (Schemenauer et al. 2022). Dew collection entails a (passive) condensation process requiring a surface with a temperature lower than the atmospheric water vapour (Jarimi et al. 2020). Both systems are inspired by organisms in arid climates that evolved to efficiently harvest atmospheric droplets. ...
... This field, known as biomimicry, seeks solutions in nature to solve human problems (Benyus 1997;Pawlyn 2011). Researchers study arid-based organisms to increase surface yield efficiency by implementing biomimetic materials (Jarimi et al. 2020;. However, ancient techniques are an overlooked source of inspiration, referred to as being remarkably sustainable (Koutsoyiannis et al. 2008;Luo et al. 2020). ...
Fog and dew, or atmospheric moisture, are valuable complementary resources. Ancient civilisations exploited these resources in harmony with the environment, though information on their techniques is fragmented. This review provides insights into the efficiency, evolution, and relevance of ancient atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) techniques from 5000 B.C. to the 1900s, alongside modern techniques. An analytical framework and assessment are presented to deduce their viability for replication, revival, restoration, or redevelopment. Modern fog collectors yield an average value of 3–10 L/m2/day and dew collectors 0.3–0.6 L/m2/day. Ancient fog collectors from Mexico and Chile resembled modern collectors, while fog drip from trees offers a natural alternative, collecting 70 L/m2/day. The stone drip method shows potential in urban areas with extensive concrete surfaces. Ancient dew collection techniques include alchemists' dew collectors, lithic mulching for soil water conservation, dew ponds for water retention, and stone-pile condensers, which collected up to 360 L/day. Air wells, however, were less effective. Ancient AWH techniques offer valuable insights and can effectively supplement modern collectors, enhancing resilience and water security, especially in arid regions. Implementing AWH techniques provides sustainable, decentralised, nature-based strategies on a micro and macro scale for mitigating contemporary water shortages amidst increasing climate challenges.
... Recently, several articles [16,17] summarized the various AWH methods to enhance their performance. Basically, AWH systems should be affordable, scalable, versatile, and capable of operating well for a long time. ...
Nowadays, atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) attracts great attention due to its potential to address water scarcity, especially in arid regions. A key component of adsorption-based atmospheric water harvesting is the adsorbent materials, which are porous materials characterized by high surface area and the ability to adsorb water vapor from the atmospheric air effectively. In this review article, a comprehensive overview of several adsorbent materials has been conducted, highlighting their inherent characteristics. Mainly, conventional ad-sorbents (silica gel and zeolite), hygroscopic salts, metal-organic frameworks, hydrogels, and composite ad-sorbents have been thoroughly discussed, along with their potential applications. Several AWH systems have also been presented. The review showed that the utilization of zeolite 13X under lower humidity levels is profoundly better; however, the vapor release entails elevated regeneration temperature. Moreover, MOF-801-P and MOF-841 showed appreciable performance based on material adsorption, recyclability, and water stability. Also, MCM-41 and Basolite A300 exhibited superior volumetric uptakes, notably at higher relative humidity (RH). MIL-101(Cr) has a remarkable adsorption uptake at high relative humidity. However, it is reported that MIL-101 (Cr) could be used for low RH by shifting its step uptake using an internal cooling component. The review also indicated the main guidelines for selecting ideal adsorbents, highlighting the impacts of adsorption capacities, kinetics, regeneration, and climatic conditions on the proper selection of adsorbents for efficient AWH applications.
... In particular, in the southwestern US, water levels are the lowest in 1,200 y (4). Furthermore, inadequately sanitized water sources have led to the spread of diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever, among other water-borne illnesses (5). Thus, technologies that can obtain clean water from alternative water resources are urgently needed. ...
Transforming atmospheric water vapor into liquid form can be a way to supply water to arid regions for uses such as drinking water, thermal management, and hydrogen generation. Many current methods rely on solid sorbents that cycle between capture and release at slow rates. We envision a radically different approach where water is transformed and directly captured into a liquid salt solution that is suitable for subsequent distillation or other processing using existing methods. In contrast to other methods utilizing hydrogels as sorbents, we do not store water within hydrogels—we use them as a transport medium. Inspired by nature, we capture atmospheric water through a hydrogel membrane “skin” at an extraordinarily high rate of 5.50 kgm − 2 d − 1 at a low humidity of 35%. and up to 16.9 kgm − 2 d − 1 at higher humidities. For a drinking-water application, calculated performance of a hypothetical one-square-meter device shows that water could be supplied to two to three people in arid environments. This work is a significant step toward providing new resources and possibilities to water-scarce regions.
... However, to further improve the efficiency of water harvesting from fog, researchers around the globe are still actively researching, manufacturing, and modifying fog harvesting materials. These new materials and fog harvesters were inspired by the water harvesting abilities of many different species in nature [1][2][3][4][5]. One of the organisms was most interested in the special geometric structure of bumps and flexible wettable surface alternating hydrophobic/hydrophilic regions. ...
With the variety of fibers and fabrics, the studies of the surface structure of the textile yarns, the weave fabric, and their surface wettability are still potential factors to improve and optimize the fog harvesting efficiency. In this work, inspired by the fog harvesting behavior of the desert beetle dorsal surface, a wavy–bumpy structure of post-weave yarn (obtained from woven fabric) was reported to improve large droplet growth (converge) efficiency. In which, this study used tetrabutyl titanate (Ti(OC4H9)4) to waterproof, increase hydrophobicity, and stabilize the surface of yarns and fabric (inspired by the feather structure and lotus leaf surface). Moreover, PDMS oil was used (lubricated) to increase hydrophobicity and droplet shedding on the yarns (inspired by the slippery surface of the pitcher plant) and at the same time, enhance the fog harvesting efficiency of the warp yarn woven fabric (Warp@fabric). In addition, a three-dimensional adjacent yarn structure was arranged by two non-parallel fabric layers. The yarns of the inner and outer layers were intersected at an angle decreasing to zero (mimicking the water transport behavior of Shorebird’s beaks). This method helped large droplets quickly form and shed down easily. More than expected, the changes in fabric texture and fiber surface yielded an excellent result. The OBLWB-Warp@fabric’s water harvesting rate was about 700% higher than that of the original plain weave fabric (Original@fabric). OBLWB-Warp@fabric’s water harvesting rate was about 160% higher than that of Original–Warp@fabric. This shows the great practical application potential of woven fabrics with a low cost and large scale, or you can make use of textile wastes to collect fog, suitable for the current circular economy model. This study hopes to further enrich the materials used for fog harvesting.
... The smart irrigation systems utilize techniques for automating and optimizing the irrigation process; whereas these systems include weather controllers as well as soil moisture sensors. These systems have also the capabilities to manage the process remotely [45]. The advanced controlling parts can help in adjusting the schedules of the irrigation process during the real-time data collection and includes weather forecasting as well as soil moisture. ...
... There are some sources of the watersheds like gutters, storage tanks, and filtration units which are used for ensuring the fresh and clean water availability for crops irrigation. This process of harvesting precipitation water is providing an encourage to water use sustainability as well as decrease the groundwater dependency [45]. ...
There is no doubt that advanced technologies play a very important and crucial role in driving the agricultural sustainable practices in order to satisfy the increasing demand for food production as well as to minimize environmental impacts. This review article aims to provide comprehensive points of view regarding a current state as well as the future advances in smart farming techniques for developing an agricultural sustainability. The digital sensors are considered as key techniques for agricultural transformation which provide an accurate managing and monitoring the various agricultural activities such as crop production, soil moisture, micro climate data, and others. Valuable detailed data are acquired by these sensors to be delivered to the farmers in order to make suitable decisions, ensuring the sustainable and efficient utilization of the agricultural resources. Moreover, managing irrigation using the advanced technologies is benefited wireless monitoring remotely and controlling systems. These technologies and advanced tools help the farmers to reduce water consumption and increase their benefits as well as promotes sustainable management practices of the water resources. Additionally, the drones such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be attached with several kinds of sensors or cameras for capturing detailed information of crop health, soil status, required fertilizers, irrigation, and pesticides. Besides these benefits of drones, they provide a function of an early detection of agricultural problems which allow the decision makers for taking suitable actions. Furthermore, the biotechnology advances such as CRISPR gene editing, and transgenic animals’ developing are very beneficial for enhancing the crop yield, disease resistance, and nutrients availability, and agricultural sustainability. The precision agriculture (PA) integration with geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) provides site-specific management and its decisions in order to optimize the inputs utilization, waste reduce, and sustainable practices promotion. Also, advanced technologies’ application (i.e. artificial intelligence ‘AI’, machine learning ‘ML’, and the Internet of Things ‘IoT’) has been found to be a promising for achieving an agricultural sustainability. Therefore, by using these powerful technologies, the farmers can enhance an agricultural production, decrease an environmental effect and achieve the food security.
... Water harvesting has been done in various ways worldwide, including desalination, groundwater harvesting, and rainwater capture and storage. Liquid water must already be sufficient for this to operate, but when such sources are scarce, atmospheric water generating becomes necessary (Jarimi et al., 2020). The atmosphere contains a large amount of water in the form of vapour, moisture, and other states. ...
The proliferation of plastic drinking water bottles poses significant environmental, economic, and social challenges globally. In response, many countries are seeking alternative methods to provide safe drinking water. Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs) have emerged as a promising solution, yet their implementation remains novel, particularly in countries like Sri Lanka. This paper explores the feasibility of implementing AWGs in the hotel industry in Sri Lanka to mitigate reliance on bottled water. Through a comprehensive literature review and quantitative research methodology including questionnaire surveys, the functional requirements, constraints, drivers, barriers, and strategies for AWG implementation were identified and analysed. The findings underscore the critical importance of factors such as low relative humidity, wide temperature range functionality, energy efficiency, water quality, and appropriate design in selecting AWGs. While drivers like higher efficiency, governmental support, and public awareness propel AWG adoption, barriers such as high initial investment, energy consumption, and mineral deficiency pose challenges. Strategies to overcome these barriers include lifecycle cost analysis, renewable energy integration, vendor selection, and mineral supplementation. The research contributes to understanding successful AWG implementation in the Sri Lankan hotel industry, addressing water bottle consumption's environmental and socioeconomic impacts. This study highlights the urgency of transitioning to sustainable water solutions and provides practical insights for stakeholders to navigate the implementation of AWGs effectively.
... Several review papers providing comprehensive introductions to AWH schemes [13][14][15][16][17][18][19] or focusing on specific topics such as system configurations or working principles [20][21][22][23][24] have been developed. Few reviews established relationships between material properties and performance [25][26][27][28], they have often overlooked critical detail of analysing the material capabilities on key performance matrix, particularly in terms of water yield, cyclic stability, and desorption energy requirements. ...
... It has been reported that a mixture of 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride and ethylene glycol in a ratio of 1:1 yielded a water absorption of 0. 16 [42]. DES properties are influenced by their inherent functional groups, chemical bonds, and interactions. ...