Innovations in Additive Manufacturing Addressing Global Water Scarcity and the Sustainable Development Goals

The ‘Water from Air’ Project: A Direct Contribution to SDG 6

A project developed by graduates of FH Münster University of Applied Sciences directly addresses Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. Titled ‘Water from Air’, the initiative introduces a portable device capable of generating potable water from atmospheric humidity. This innovation responds to the global crisis where billions lack reliable access to safe drinking water, a challenge linked to malnutrition, disease, and preventable deaths, thereby also impacting SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

The device is designed to be an accessible, decentralized solution in contrast to existing large-scale, high-cost atmospheric water harvesting systems. Its primary objective is to provide a sustainable water source for small households in regions with acute water scarcity.

• Capacity: Produces approximately six liters of clean water per day.
• Portability: Lightweight and designed to be easily carried to points of need.
• Accessibility: Engineered to be affordable and simple to operate without technical expertise.

Technological Framework and Alignment with Sustainable Innovation (SDG 9)

The core technology leverages metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which are highly porous materials that passively absorb water molecules from the air. When the unit is closed, trapped heat causes the moisture to condense into a collection tank. This process aligns with SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure by applying advanced materials science to create resilient and sustainable solutions.

Additive manufacturing was instrumental in the prototype’s development, enabling rapid and flexible design iterations. This production method supports SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production by potentially reducing material waste and allowing for decentralized manufacturing, where communities could produce units locally using shared digital files.

• Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM): Used to produce the transparent PETG water tank and intermediate section.
• Stereolithography (SLA): Employed for the upper housing and lid, which was printed in four assembled parts.

Impact on Health (SDG 3) and Sustainable Communities (SDG 11)

The design is human-centered, focusing on practical daily use to support community well-being. Its modular construction allows for easy repair and scalability, contributing to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by providing a resilient infrastructure component for households. The transparent tank allows users to monitor water levels, and its simple, non-technical appearance encourages integration into daily life, directly supporting the health and safety of families.

Additive Manufacturing’s Broader Role in Achieving Water Security (SDG 6)

The ‘Water from Air’ project is part of a larger trend where additive manufacturing is utilized to develop innovative solutions for water security. The adaptability and cost-effectiveness of 3D printing have enabled various initiatives aimed at water purification and management, reinforcing global efforts to achieve SDG 6.

Case Studies in 3D Printing for Water Purification and Management

1. Sunlight-Based Water Purification: Researchers at the University of Bath developed a 3D-printed plastic slab with an internal maze-like pattern. This device uses solar heat and UV radiation to neutralize harmful microbes in contaminated water, offering a low-cost solution for communities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
2. Advanced Membrane Filtration: Liquidity Nanotech utilized electrospinning and 3D printing to create high-performance membrane filters for water bottles. With pores as small as 0.2 µm, these filters effectively block bacteria and other contaminants.
3. Reverse-Osmosis Efficiency: 3D printing has been used to create advanced spacer meshes for reverse-osmosis systems. These components improve the efficiency of desalination and water purification processes, reducing operational costs and risks. In Mexico, the government agency Conacyt has supported such projects to serve coastal communities.
4. Chemical Contaminant Removal: Scientists at the University of Huelva created a 3D-printed, spiral-shaped structure capable of removing 18 different disinfection by-products from drinking water. This technology can be integrated into water treatment facilities to detect and filter hazardous chemicals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • The article’s primary focus is on a new device that “turns air into drinking water,” directly addressing the global water crisis. It explicitly states that “billions of people still live without reliable access to water,” which is the core issue SDG 6 aims to solve. The text also discusses various other 3D printing technologies designed to “make water supplies safer to use,” such as filters and purification systems.

2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The article connects the lack of clean water to severe health issues, noting that the shortage “drives malnutrition, disease, and thousands of preventable deaths each year.” By providing a source of clean water, the “Water from Air” device and other mentioned technologies aim to prevent water-borne diseases and reduce mortality, directly contributing to the goals of SDG 3.

3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • The article showcases innovation as a key driver for solving the water crisis. The project uses “advanced materials and 3D printing” to create a novel solution. It highlights how 3D printing is an “inexpensive and adaptable” technology that enables rapid prototyping and decentralized manufacturing. The idea that “digital design files could eventually be shared globally, allowing communities to produce their own units on demand” points to building resilient, community-level infrastructure and fostering technological advancement.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Targets under SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)

   • Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. The “Water from Air” project directly addresses this by creating a device that is “affordable, mobile, and easy for anyone to use,” aiming to provide clean drinking water for a “small household.”
   • Target 6.b: Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management. The article suggests a future where “digital design files could eventually be shared globally, allowing communities to produce their own units on demand,” which empowers local participation in creating and managing their water solutions.

2. Targets under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

   • Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of… water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases. The article mentions that water scarcity leads to “disease, and thousands of preventable deaths.” The technologies described, such as filters that act as a “barrier against bacteria” and neutralize “harmful microbes,” are designed to combat water-borne diseases.
   • Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. The research from the University of Huelva, which created a 3D-printed device to “remove 18 different disinfection by-products from drinking water” and “filter out hazardous chemicals,” directly aligns with this target.

3. Targets under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)

   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries… and encourage innovation. The entire article is a testament to this target, describing multiple research initiatives from universities (FH Münster, University of Bath, University of Huelva) and industry (Liquidity Nanotech) that use advanced technology like 3D printing to solve a critical development challenge. The support from Mexico’s Conacyt for such projects further exemplifies the encouragement of innovation.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 6 Targets

   • Implied Indicator for Target 6.1: The article provides a specific output measure for the device: it can “produce around six liters of clean water a day, enough to sustain a small household.” This suggests that progress could be measured by the number of households or individuals gaining access to a reliable source of safe drinking water through such devices. This relates to the official indicator 6.1.1 (Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services).

2. Indicators for SDG 3 Targets

   • Implied Indicator for Target 3.3 & 3.9: The article’s rationale for the invention is to combat “malnutrition, disease, and thousands of preventable deaths each year” linked to unsafe water. Therefore, an implied indicator for success would be a reduction in the incidence of water-borne diseases and a decrease in the mortality rate attributed to unsafe water, which aligns with official indicators like 3.3.2 (Incidence of water-borne diseases) and 3.9.2 (Mortality rate attributed to unsafe water).

3. Indicators for SDG 9 Targets

   • Implied Indicator for Target 9.5: The article implicitly points to indicators of innovation by highlighting the development of new technologies and products. The creation of the “Water from Air” prototype, the “3D printed plastic slab” for water purification, and the “membrane filters for bottles” are all tangible outcomes of research and development. The number of such innovative projects and the investment in them (such as the support from Conacyt) serve as measures of progress in enhancing scientific research and innovation.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: 3dprintingindustry.com