Khaberni - The Jordanian Nobel Prize-winning chemist, Omar Yaghi, said that his new invention for extracting water from the air could represent a qualitative shift in combating drought and supply disruptions, especially in island nations and areas prone to climate disasters.
The technology relies on a scientific field known as "Reticular Chemistry," which is based on designing materials with fine molecular structures capable of capturing moisture from the air and converting it into usable water, even in arid and desert environments, according to The Guardian.
According to Atoco, the company founded by Yaghi, the units dedicated to this technology—sized like a 20-foot shipping container—operate entirely on very low thermal energy from the surrounding environment and can produce up to 1000 liters of clean water daily, without relying on central electricity or water networks.
This feature allows their operation in areas affected by hurricanes or drought, where traditional infrastructure often breaks down.
Yaghi holds a professorship in chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, and holds Saudi citizenship. He won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2025 in recognition of his work in designing advanced porous materials.
He pointed out that hurricanes and floods that regularly hit the Caribbean region – like Hurricanes Beryl and Melissa – have revealed the fragility of traditional water systems, stressing that enhancing the resilience of supplies is becoming an urgent necessity, especially in small island nations vulnerable to extreme weather phenomena.
'The Era of Water Bankruptcy'
This development comes at a time when a recent UN report warns of entering what it described as "the era of water bankruptcy", where about three-quarters of the world's population live in countries experiencing varying degrees of water insecurity, while over two billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water.
In Grenada, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Beryl in 2024, local officials view the new technology as a promising option, especially on the islands of Carriacou and Petit Martinique, which continue to face the impacts of destruction, alongside challenges of drought and coastal erosion.
Officials say the technology's ability to operate outside traditional networks represents a strategic advantage, amid the high cost of water importation and increased risks associated with the disruption of centralized systems during disasters.
Yaghi believes the technology represents a more sustainable option compared to desalinating seawater, which may negatively affect marine ecosystems due to the discharge of concentrated brine solutions.
He added that climate solutions are no longer a technological luxury but a vital necessity, emphasizing the importance of supporting scientific research, protecting the freedom of academics, and enhancing international cooperation in facing climate and water challenges.
Yaghi recalled his personal experience as a child in a refugee community in Jordan, where water access to the neighborhood occurred once every week or two, affirming that this hardship was a primary motivator in his scientific career.
As the effects of climate change accelerate around the world, this innovation presents a model for decentralized solutions that could reshape the map of water security in the most vulnerable regions.
