Heterostructured Film For Atmospheric Water Recovery

A nanoparticle-polymer film enables isothermal droplet formation and water recovery from humid air through capillary condensation on a porous surface.
Problem:
Conventional condensation of undersaturated water vapor can require energy-intensive cooling. Porous materials can condense water without cooling but often retain it inside voids. That makes harvested water difficult to access. Improved approaches are needed for water harvesting and macroscopic droplet formation.
Solution:
The technology uses a heterostructured film containing hydrophilic nanoparticles and a solidified hydrophobic polymer. The film is configured to effect capillary condensation and form droplets on a porous surface. Condensed water can overflow from interstitial spaces and become collectable droplets. This method enables isothermal recovery of water from humid air.
Technology Overview:
The film includes a bed of hydrophilic nanoparticles with interstitial spaces between them. A solidified hydrophobic polymer bridges adjacent nanoparticles, partially fills some interstitial spaces, or both. The film surface is porous, and its pores are in fluid communication with at least some interstitial spaces. In use, atmospheric water condenses within the film and forms droplets on the porous surface.
Advantages:

• Enables water droplet formation without a cooling step
• Combines hydrophilic nanoparticles with a hydrophobic polymer in one porous film
• Supports macroscopic droplet formation on the film surface
• Allow collected water to be removed continuously or in batch mode
• It can recover water from atmospheres at elevated humidity.

Applications:

• Atmospheric Water Recovery: Recovers water from humid air through isothermal droplet formation on a porous heterostructured film
• Water Harvesting Surfaces: Forms collectable droplets on material surfaces for harvesting workflows
• Condensation Materials: Provides composite films configured for capillary condensation and overflow of condensed water
• Humid-Air Collection Systems: Supports systems that contact humid atmospheres to collect condensed water from film surfaces

Stage of Development:

• Proof Of Concept

Intellectual Property:

• US Application Filed US20250276276A1 

Reference Media:

• Kim, B. Q. et al., Sci Adv., 2025 May 23; Vol. 11 Issue (21): eadu8349 

Desired Partnerships:

• Licensing
• Co-Development (Collaboration or Sponsored Research)

Docket #24-10700