Water Out of Thin Air

[sherlew99]

This Tower Pulls Drinking Water Out of Thin Air

Designer Arturo Vittori says his invention can provide remote villages with more than 25 gallons of clean drinking water per day

By Tuan C. Nguyen
smithsonianmag.com
April 8, 2014


The rigid outer housing of each tower is comprised of lightweight and elastic juncus stalks, woven in a pattern that offers stability in the face of strong wind gusts while still allowing air to flow through. A mesh net made of nylon or polypropylene, which calls to mind a large Chinese lantern, hangs inside, collecting droplets of dew that form along the surface. As cold air condenses, the droplets roll down into a container at the bottom of the tower. The water in the container then passes through a tube that functions as a faucet, carrying the water to those waiting on the ground.

Click here for more.

[pickinduck]

Did you read the comments? Most don't believe it.
I seen a few things over the years about harvesting water from fog.
I have always thought that this is a technology that has to exist and is being held from us. My wet feet every time that I go juggling remind me of this. Plants don't get most of the water they need from rain they get it from dew. Every blade of grass does what we are talking about here. It collects water from the air and channels it down to its base.

[sherlew99]

Yeah, collecting water makes sense to me. I was at work when I posted the article, so didn't have much time to really read things. It does seem like something from science fiction, much like the water farm that Luke Skywalker was raised on.

[pickinduck]

I was saying that it very much looks like something that is very simple and easy to do (most plants do it). It should be very low tech and already exist.

[sherlew99]

Yes, I agree. Now that I've had time to properly read the article, the simplicity and functionality of the devices are striking. It would be good if they could get some set up earlier than next year, though.

[pickinduck]

"You control the water you control the people". Hasn't that been a saying for a very long time?

[sherlew99]

Yes, and I'm sure that many have taken advantage of this.