AQUA

AQUA is SPADES’ atmospheric water harvesting project. Hydrogels are polymer networks that can soak up and hold large amounts of water; with hygroscopic salts added, they can draw water vapour out of the air, even dry air, and release it as liquid water when gently heated.

Pakistan faces serious water stress, and most published harvesting systems rely on materials too costly for where they are needed most. AQUA is testing low-cost hydrogel formulations, from sodium polyacrylate, agar and gelatin with calcium and magnesium chloride, to find which absorbs the most water, gives the most back, and holds up over repeated cycles for the lowest cost.

The aim is a formulation that could become the basis of an affordable water harvesting device for water-stressed communities.