How do you convert air to water? Every summer since I was little, I have visited Damnagar. A village located deep in the state of Gujarat, it is where my mother grew up. There, the flaming sun causes everything to evaporate:
the region frequently faces devastating droughts that affect not only agriculture. But levels in local water bodies that feed the village’s supply of potable water.
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For me, the juxtaposition of privilege:
unlimited availability of clean and running water vs thirsty mouths
Dry taps in the school canteen — in Jamnagar was unsettling. Three years ago, this compelled me to take the responsibility to enforce a change.
As a keen problem solver, I teamed up with a friend to design an affordable, sustainable solution. Using our skills in mechanics and robotics. We created a prototype in which energy created by a solar tracker powered a thermoelectric module to condense humid air into water. Condensation is the process in which water vapor becomes liquid. Moreover, cold air cannot hold as much moisture as warm air does. When warm moisture-filled air meets the cold metal can, it cools down. As a result, the humidity in the air condenses into water droplets.
Furthermore, it was crucial to me that this device was accessible to rural communities. So our final product integrated local resources, including wood and metallic frames along with inexpensive sensors and a small microprocessor. After successfully testing our solution in Damnagar, we filed a non-provisional patent securing this invention as a Solar Water Harvesting Device.
In conclusion, having seen first-hand the drastic and devastating effects of its shortage. I believe that access to clean water is the greatest challenge we face today. Lastly, empowered by my education, I’m eager to tackle it head on.
