(352d) Design and Development of Smart Moisture Absorbing Foams for Atmospheric Water Extraction

Atmospheric Water Extraction (AWE) is a new technique for extracting potable drinking water from air. Current AWE systems are bulky (>100 lbs) and require large amounts of energy. The team of Physical Sciences Inc (PSI), University of Massachusetts Amherst and Cascade Designs Inc (CDI) is developing a new class of AWE sorbents called Smart Moisture Absorbing Foams (SMAFs). The SMAF incorporates water capture, storage and release functionality. Water is captured by a polymer network consisting of hygroscopic and deliquescent materials. Extent of water capture is dictated by polymer composition and chemical functionality. The capture functionality is supported by a porous biopolymer matrix. The biopolymer matrix has high surface area (>90 m2/g) and porosity. Deliquescent polymers are covalently grafted onto the biopolymer matrix to ensure durability and long lifetime. The key innovation of the SMAF is ability to release water by compression, as opposed to conventional heating and cooling cycles. This is enabled by incorporation of release groups, which convert the polymer network from hydrophilic to hydrophobic upon bulk compression. This poster details chemical construction, characterization and testing of SMAF materials and application to AWE.

Acknowledgement of Support and Disclaimer: This material is based upon work supported by Defense Advanced Projects Agency (DARPA) under Contract No. HR001121C0032. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Defense Advanced Projects Agency (DARPA).