Nobel Prize winner invents machine that generates 1,000 liters of drinking water in the desert

by

A Nobel laureate has invented a device that can create several liters of pure drinking water each day, using only air – even in dry desert conditions with as little as 20% humidity.

The inventor of this new system is Professor Omar Yaghi, the 2025 Nobel laureate in Chemistry known for his work with metal-organic frameworks. The system extracts water from the air using innovative materials and is powered by the sun.

According to The Guardian, the device is about the size of a shipping container and runs on solar power. This makes it ideal for regions with scarce energy and communities in dry climates.

This device can create water from desert air

This device harvests drinking water from the air using special, highly porous materials that act like sponges to absorb moisture, even when the air is very dry. Sunlight gently heats the device, releasing the water, which is then collected as clean, potable water.

This system can produce up to 1,000 liters of water daily, even in difficult desert environments. This makes it a promising option for areas experiencing drought or recovering from disasters, where clean water is scarce.

Yaghi explained the inspiration behind his work, recalling a difficult childhood experience with accessing clean water. He remembered having to wait weekly, or even bi-weekly, for the city water to arrive, and it would only be available for a few hours at a time.

As soon as people heard water was going to be available, I immediately ran to the tap and filled every container I could find. That water lasted us for the whole week.

As a big fan, it’s really inspiring to hear Yaghi talk about the future. He’s optimistic that the next generation will build on his work and come up with even more amazing discoveries and technologies – things that could genuinely make life better for people all over the world, and that’s just incredible to think about.

He believes that with the proper mindset and effort, anyone – regardless of their location or background – has the potential to make a significant discovery that could benefit society. He acknowledges it’s challenging and demands commitment and careful thinking, but insists it’s within reach for everyone.

That’s what makes science so incredible. It changes both our lives and the world around us in unexpected ways. When you explore new ideas and actually try them, you open yourself up to discoveries that could have a huge impact – even change the world.

Read More

2026-03-03 13:48