In many parts of the world, fresh water is scarce, and it costs to extract itCommunities near the ocean can
The new device solves the problem.
Capacitor circuit. (Source: Haechler I et al. Science Advances 2021, ed.)
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developedtechnology that for the first time allows them to collect water 24 hours a day without additional energy consumption, even under the scorching sun. The new device consists of glass with a special coating that not only reflects solar radiation, but also radiates its own heat through the atmosphere into outer space. Thus, it is cooled to a temperature 15 ° C below the ambient temperature. On the underside of the panel, water vapor from the air is condensed into water. The process is the same as for poorly insulated windows in winter.
Scientists have coated glass with specially designedpolymer and silver layers. This special coating approach causes the glass to emit infrared radiation in a window at a specific wavelength into outer space without being absorbed by the atmosphere and reflected back onto the glass. Another key element of the device is the new conical radiation shielding. It deflects thermal radiation from the atmosphere and protects the glass from incoming solar radiation. In this way the device radiates the aforementioned heat to the outside and thus completely self-cooled passively.
As shown by the tests of the new device inin real conditions on the roof of the ETH building in Zurich, the technology produces at least twice as much water per floor area per day as the best modern passive foil-based technologies. Thus, a pilot system with a glass diameter of 10 cm in real conditions condensed 4.6 ml of water per day.
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