Portable air-to-drinking water converter fits in bag, ready for military use

Researchers in South Korea have achieved a groundbreaking feat with the development of an eco-friendly portable moisture-harvesting system.

Inspired by plant and animal mechanisms, this portable system, which can easily fit in a backpack, is capable of collecting, purifying, and transforming atmospheric moisture into clean drinking water.

“This technology is a meaningful advancement in that it enables the production of drinking water in situations where water is scarce,” said Dr. Hyuneui Lim, Director of the Nature-Inspired Research Center at KIMM, who led the study.

This innovative system is expected to have wide-ranging applications, including in military operations, camping, and survival water production in remote and mountainous areas, as mentioned in the press release.

Efficient, hygienic, and customizable

The system’s efficiency comes from its unique moisture collection cycle: it absorbs moisture, releases it as vapor, condenses it into liquid, and then sterilizes it. This innovative process can collect significant amounts of moisture while using less energy than conventional dehumidifiers.

“The newly developed moisture collection system is a hybrid technology that integrates the principles of conventional condensation and moisture absorption systems,” remarked Principal researcher Sunjong Oh of KIMM.

Besides, one of the standout features of this device is its stability and hygiene. The system effectively sterilizes bacteria on the cooling fins, ensuring the safety of the collected water. The purification process involves an eco-friendly diatom-based filter, further enhancing the water’s quality.

“A polycaprolactone-bound diatomite (PBD) membrane was prepared from a solution-based mixture of diatomite and PCL to provide flexibility for shape change and scaling up,” explained the study.

Moreover, the Polycaprolactone-bound diatomite filter can be customized in size, thickness, shape, and stacking number, making it suitable for specific applications.

Tests have demonstrated its effectiveness in removing contaminants, and the filter’s complete biodegradability within 60 days in water further highlights its eco-friendliness.

Addressing shortcomings of conventional systems

This innovation addresses the shortcomings of traditional moisture collection systems like dehumidifiers and air conditioners.

Conventional systems often rely on compressors and refrigerants, leading to noise, weight concerns, and environmental pollution.

While thermoelectric module-based systems offer an alternative, they suffer from lower energy efficiency.

However, the KIMM system overcomes this limitation, boasting a moisture collection capacity double that of thermoelectric systems.

Enhanced moisture collection capacity

“The moisture collection capacity of the portable moisture collection system that has been newly developed by the KIMM’s research team is more than double that of conventional systems featuring thermoelectric modules,” asserted the study’s press release.

A key reason behind this breakthrough is the dual function of the thermoelectric module’s heating surface. It efficiently acts as both a moisture absorption plate and a heat source.

During the absorption mode, moisture from the air is collected on this surface. Then, by switching to the heating mode, the collected moisture is transferred to the condensation plate, significantly boosting the moisture collection efficiency.

“It features a sustainable approach that minimizes energy consumption and utilizes eco-friendly materials,” concluded Oh.

Moreover, the high-temperature heat generated during this process is utilized to desorb moisture, effectively reducing hot air emissions and further contributing to its energy efficiency.

Efficient power consumption

Beyond efficient moisture collection, this system excels in power consumption.

By integrating water absorption, condensation, and sterilization modes within a single thermoelectric module, power consumption is significantly minimized.

“The KIMM’s research team designed the system to enable dehumidification without applying power to the thermoelectric module during the moisture absorption process,” remarked the press release.

“Power consumption can be reduced by allowing water absorption, condensation, and sterilization modes to be activated using a single thermoelectric module.”

Future impact and commercialization

This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize water accessibility, particularly in challenging environments and situations where traditional water sources are scarce or unavailable.

Notably, the team is now gearing up to launch a 3 kg water harvester equipped with this groundbreaking system.

This system has already been awarded test certificates and verification for its water harvesting performance and the safety of the water it produces.

KIMM is collaborating with Puresys to bring this technology to the market. They plan to create a diverse range of products, from compact portable devices to large-capacity systems.