Shanghai researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking atmospheric water harvesting system that represents China’s transition from follower to leader in this emerging technology sector. Developed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s interdisciplinary ITEWA team, the comprehensive solution addresses global water scarcity through three distinct technological pathways tailored to different climate conditions.
The system employs condensation, adsorption, and a novel heat pump coupled with adsorption/absorption technologies to extract drinking water from atmospheric moisture. This approach enables operation across diverse environments ranging from high temperature/humidity regions to areas with low temperature/humidity or high temperature/low humidity conditions.
Commercialized through Shanghai-based technology firm AtmosWell, the innovation includes multiple product configurations. These range from solar-powered off-grid drinking stations capable of producing 50 liters daily without infrastructure to large-scale engineering platforms generating 1,600 liters per day for island communities, hotels, and emergency disaster relief scenarios. The portfolio also features plug-and-play water bars for office and home use.
Professor Wang Ruzhu, lead scientist of the ITEWA team and 2023 Global Energy Prize laureate, emphasized the technology’s significance: “Extracting potable water from air represents one of humanity’s ultimate dreams for addressing uneven water distribution. We’ve systematically transformed laboratory breakthroughs into adaptable engineering solutions that serve society’s core needs.”
The technology overcomes traditional challenges of atmospheric water extraction by adapting to complex climate variations through proprietary purification systems that combine traditional filtration with newly developed low-temperature rapid cooling antibacterial technology and comprehensive water circulation preservation.
Market analysis from QYResearch projects the global atmospheric water collector market will reach $420 million by 2031, growing at 4.8% CAGR. Shanghai municipal technology officials highlight the innovation’s potential for environmental conservation, noting it could reduce the 600 billion plastic water bottles produced annually worldwide, of which only 9% are currently recycled.