Modular low-cost atmospheric water harvesting system for commercial rooftops
Innovative modular system captures atmospheric water using low-cost polymer-based sorbents. It regenerates water with solar-driven thermal desorption, offering scalable installation for commercial rooftops. Ideal for cooling towers and direct drinking, enhancing building resilience.
Overview
This innovative atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) system is designed for commercial rooftops, transforming passive surfaces into active, resource-generating assets. By utilizing low-cost polymer-based sorbent materials, the system captures water vapor from the atmosphere and regenerates it into usable water through passive solar-driven thermal desorption. This modular design allows for independent operation of each unit, enabling scalable installations suitable for various roof sizes and geometries. The system is compatible with common single-ply roofing materials and provides economic and environmental benefits by offering a decentralized water source for applications such as cooling tower make-up or direct drinking.
Technical specifications
- Modular design: Each module functions independently, allowing for scalable and flexible installations across different roof configurations.
- Polymer-based sorbents: Utilizes low-cost materials that effectively capture atmospheric moisture.
- Solar-driven regeneration: Uses passive solar energy for thermal desorption, eliminating the need for external power sources.
- Compatibility: Suitable for installation on single-ply membrane roofs such as EPDM, TPO, and PVC.
- Water storage: Harvested water can be stored for various on-site uses, enhancing building resilience and reducing dependency on external water sources.
Technology readiness level
Currently at TRL 5, this technology involves prototype development and field testing. Future steps include optimizing the yield-to-footprint ratio, conducting pilot deployments, and validating integration strategies for long-term compatibility with roofing membranes. The goal is to advance to TRL 6-7, with potential commercialization through leasing or performance-based contracting models.
About University of Tennessee, Knoxville
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is a comprehensive public land‑grant research university—the flagship of the UT System—classified as R1 and serving more than 40,000 students. Industry engagement is anchored by the UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm, where corporate R&D and joint university–national lab facilities sit just across the river from campus, including assets such as the Volkswagen Innovation Hub and an AT&T 5G testbed. UT’s long‑standing partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory—via UT‑Battelle and the UT–Oak Ridge Innovation Institute—gives companies streamlined access to national lab capabilities, talent, and joint programs. A statewide Extension network and established co‑op programs connect companies to faculty expertise and student talent across Tennessee and into federal labs. Research is supported by competitive federal sponsors such as the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy. Commercialization is managed by the University of Tennessee Research Foundation, which handles IP, licensing, and startup formation.
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