Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

This is an idea for a science & engineering fair project.

California's drought has brought ideas of questionable feasibility into my mind. Is there a way to create drinking water out of thin air? As of now, the idea doesn't seem to be very popular. However, what if we were able to design a device, much like a water bottle, that can efficiently and cheaply gather moisture out of the air to produce drinking water?

This thought led to some online searching. I found several companies, including Water-Gen Ltd. and Island Sky Corporation, that make almost exactly what I had imagined: atmospheric water generators.

Water-Gen's AWGs are mainly for "military theaters of operation, as for example in forward operating bases, combat vehicles, and infantry units." Island Sky designs AWGs of all types, including home AWGs, mobile AWGs in case of emergency, alternative energy AWGs. Their products suggest that my initial ideas are not completely crazy.

However, none of those designs by Water-Gen and Island Sky specifically target individual use, which is the idea I had in mind originally. I now pose my question: is my plan to create an affordable AWG designed for personal use at all scientifically reasonable? If so, what would be the demand for such a device in our world today?

http://www.water-gen.com
http://www.islandsky.com

Thank you for reading.

Hi,

This sounds like a cool idea to continue! The question is do you have a design to test and build to create water for the atmosphere? If you do, please explain it to me and I'll try and see if it's reasonable.

No, I do not currently have a design, but I will make one as soon as possible so that I have something to work with rather than just an abstract idea. I have examined the designs of a few AWGs currently made, but the main problem is to create one that is economically viable for ordinary people. Further research will be necessary. Thanks for the response.