Energy-free water harvesting technology using additive manufacturing and slippery surface coatings
Energy-free water harvesting technology producing about 10 liters per day per square meter from ambient humidity. Combines process intensification, additive manufacturing, and slippery surface coatings to enable dropwise condensation and moisture capture at least one order of magnitude faster than existing approaches. Intended for water-stressed regions, industrial use, and remote environments.
Overview
This technology addresses water scarcity by harvesting water from humidity without operational energy costs. The system produces approximately 10 liters of water per day per square meter, making it suitable for deployment in water-stressed regions, industrial applications, and remote environments. By combining process intensification, additive manufacturing, and slippery surface coatings, the technology achieves moisture capture rates at least one order of magnitude faster than existing solutions. An upcoming collaboration with NASA for humidity harvesting applications is planned, indicating external interest in the technology’s capabilities.
Technical specifications
The technology integrates three core domains to maximize water harvesting efficiency:
- Process intensification reduces energy input and improves separation efficiency by ten times compared to existing technologies
- Additive manufacturing enables novel component geometries optimized for water capture and condensation
- Slippery surface coatings applied to device components enhance dropwise condensation and accelerate moisture capture from ambient humidity
The coatings improve condensation and moisture capture performance by at least one order of magnitude over previously demonstrated approaches. The system operates at zero operational cost, relying on passive mechanisms rather than energy-intensive processes.
Technology readiness level
The technology is currently at TRL 4-5, with laboratory-scale validation completed. The team is positioned to demonstrate a prototype of up to one square meter and is ready to advance toward pilot-scale deployment. A structured transition plan is proposed, including materials durability testing under various atmospheric conditions, device assembly and 720-hour continuous operation testing, techno-economic analysis (TEA), life cycle assessment (LCA), and cradle-to-grave analysis. The research team spans two continents, supporting both demonstration and future deployment roadmapping.
About University of Nebraska, Lincoln
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a comprehensive public research university and the flagship campus of the University of Nebraska system, combining land-grant reach with a collaborative, industry-engaged culture. A research and technology park adjacent to campus provides modern wet and dry labs, greenhouses, offices, and conferencing, enabling companies to co-locate with faculty and access shared equipment and pilot environments. A statewide extension network links university expertise with producers and communities, creating rapid pathways for field trials, demonstrations, and workforce pipelines. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from NSF, USDA, DOE, and NIH. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, agreements, and startup formation with industry-friendly terms.
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