autoevolution 13 May 2021, 13:47 UTC ·
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Available resources have always been the biggest obstacle facing everything and anything humans set out to do. From military operations to space exploration and even our daily lives, resources and everything they entail, from acquisition to transport and storage, have hindered us. 1 photo
Take a soldier operating in one of the planet’s hot zones, both literally and figuratively. Aside from the tools of his trade, a soldier must also carry with him food and water, at times in large enough amounts to last for days. That often becomes an issue and stands in the way of a possibly longer and more successful mission.
GE awarded $14.3 million for 3D printed prototype that creates water from thin air
Published on February 10, 2021 by
Lack of fresh, potable (drinkable) water is one of the biggest challenges facing millions on our planet today. This is especially evident in arid areas, many of which are now struggling even more as global warming drives temperatures up in desert regions. This issue is also of particular concern to a potentially surprising group, the US military. To address the problem, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) awarded General Electric Company (GE) $14.3 million to lead a four-year project as part of their Atmospheric Water Extraction (AWE) program. The goal is to design a prototype that would literally produce water out of thin air. Named AIR2WATER, the project will be created using a mixture of additive manufacturing, new material innovations and thermal processes.
GE Research s atmospheric water extraction device could supply up to 150 soldiers with water. 3D-printed atmospheric water extraction device. GE Research
A team led by GE Research received a multi-million dollar contract to develop 3D printed devices that collect moisture from the atmosphere and convert it into drinking water as part of DARPA s Atmospheric Water Extraction (AWE) program.
The prototypes which could eventually supply water for up to 150 soldiers, even in desert environments will use heat exchange principles to draw water from the air, a 3DPrint.com report explains.
Efficient air water extraction would be a great boon to the U.S. Military as it would remove the need to invest in building water supply chains for missions in remote environments.