Salty Gel Harvests Water from Desert Air.

MIT engineers have developed a hydrogel infused with lithium chloride that can absorb a record amount of moisture from the air, even in desert-like conditions. The material can continuously absorb vapor, which can then be condensed into ultra-pure drinking water. The gel could be used as a passive water harvester in drought-prone regions or fit onto air conditioning units as an energy-saving, dehumidifying element. The team found that given more time, hydrogels took up more salt, and the material could generate water in the desert.