Ultrasound device shakes out clean water from thin air in minutes – New Atlas

Report on Ultrasonic Atmospheric Water Harvesting Technology and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction: A Technological Breakthrough for Global Water Security

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a novel method for harvesting potable water from atmospheric humidity. This innovation utilizes ultrasonic vibrations to release captured water molecules from sorbent materials, a process that significantly accelerates water collection and enhances energy efficiency. This development represents a substantial advancement in addressing global water scarcity and aligns directly with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Advancing SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Overcoming Existing Technological Hurdles

Current atmospheric water harvesting technologies face a significant challenge: the energy-intensive process of releasing captured water. While various materials are effective at absorbing moisture from the air, they typically require thermal energy to release it as usable liquid water. This reliance on heat makes the process slow and inefficient, hindering its scalability and accessibility, which are crucial for achieving the targets of SDG 6.

The Ultrasonic Actuator Solution

The MIT research team has engineered a solution that circumvents the need for thermal energy. The system is based on a new ultrasonic actuator that generates high-frequency sound waves to mechanically dislodge water molecules.

• Mechanism: A sorbent material saturated with atmospheric water is placed on a flat-plate actuator.
• Process: The actuator applies ultrasonic waves (frequencies exceeding 20 kilohertz), creating precise mechanical vibrations.
• Result: These vibrations break the weak bonds holding water molecules to the material, shaking them out as droplets that can be collected. The entire water release process is completed in two to seven minutes.

Contributions to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action)

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Integration

The primary advantage of the ultrasonic method is its exceptional energy efficiency, a key component of SDG 7. By replacing thermal evaporation with mechanical vibration, the system offers a more sustainable pathway to water production.

1. Superior Efficiency: The technology is reported to be 45 times more efficient at releasing captured water than methods relying on solar heat.
2. Low Power Requirement: The ultrasonic actuator requires minimal electricity to operate.
3. Renewable Energy Compatibility: The system can be powered by a small, attached solar cell, creating a self-sustaining, off-grid solution that supports both SDG 7 and climate adaptation strategies under SDG 13.

Future Projections: Supporting SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

Scalability and Practical Application

The research team envisions this technology being developed into practical, decentralized water systems, contributing to the resilience and sustainability of communities as outlined in SDG 11.

• Versatility: The ultrasonic actuator is designed to be a complementary add-on, compatible with a wide range of existing and future sorbent materials.
• Rapid Cycling: The speed of the water release allows for multiple harvesting cycles within a single day, maximizing daily water yield.
• Household Application: Future development could lead to a home-based system, potentially the size of a window, capable of providing a reliable daily source of clean drinking water directly from the air.

This innovation, detailed in the journal Nature Communications, presents a promising pathway toward creating resilient water infrastructure and ensuring access to clean water, thereby making a significant contribution to multiple global sustainability targets.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The article’s central theme is a new technology designed to harvest clean drinking water from the air. This directly addresses the goal of ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water. The text explicitly states the technology “could provide a source of clean drinking water to millions of people, even if they don’t have access to freshwater sources or municipal supplies,” which is the core mission of SDG 6.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article highlights the energy efficiency of the new technology. It contrasts the new method with older, “energy-intensive” processes that require significant heat. The new device uses a “tiny bit of power” which “could be provided by an attached solar cell.” This aligns with SDG 7’s aim to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy, particularly by increasing energy efficiency and the share of renewable energy.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The research from MIT represents a significant scientific and technological “breakthrough.” The development of a “brand-new ultrasonic actuator” and a novel process for water harvesting is a clear example of the innovation promoted by SDG 9. The goal is to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation, all of which are embodied by the development and potential deployment of this new system.

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

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  1. Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. The article directly supports this target by describing a technology aimed at providing drinking water in areas lacking traditional sources, including “very dry climates.”
  2. Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity. The technology introduces a highly efficient method for supplying freshwater, directly addressing the challenge of water scarcity.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  1. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article suggests the device’s low power requirement can be met by a “solar cell,” promoting the use of renewable energy.
  2. Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency. The article explicitly states the new method is “45 times more efficient than using heat from the Sun,” representing a dramatic improvement in energy efficiency for water harvesting.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  1. Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies. The ultrasonic water harvester is a prime example of a clean and resource-efficient technology that could be adopted to make water infrastructure more sustainable.
  2. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries…encouraging innovation. The article is centered on a scientific “breakthrough” from MIT researchers, published in the journal Nature Communications, which directly reflects the process of enhancing scientific research and fostering innovation.

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

• Indicators for SDG 6

  The article implies indicators related to water access and quantity. The statement that the technology could serve “millions of people” points to the indicator of the proportion of the population with access to safely managed drinking water. Furthermore, the concluding quote, “It’s all about how much water you can extract per day,” directly implies an indicator of volume of water produced per unit of time, which measures the effectiveness of the water supply solution.

• Indicators for SDG 7

  The article provides a clear, quantifiable indicator for energy efficiency. The claim that the device is “45 times more efficient than using heat from the Sun” is a direct measure of improvement in energy efficiency. The mention of using a “solar cell” to power the device points to the indicator of the share of renewable energy in the technology’s power consumption.

• Indicators for SDG 9

  Progress in innovation is indicated by the development of the “brand-new ultrasonic actuator” and the publication of the research in a high-impact scientific journal. This serves as an indicator of research and development output and the creation of new, sustainable technologies.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: newatlas.com