Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2025

Generation of Dynamical Environmental Conditions using a High-Throughput Microfluidic Device
Published on: April 17, 2021
Simultaneous atmospheric water production and 24-hour power generation enabled by moisture-induced energy harvesting
Tingxian Li1,2, Minqiang Wu3, Jiaxing Xu3
1Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenics, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China. Litx@sjtu.edu.cn.
Abstract:
Water and electricity scarcity are two global challenges, especially in arid and remote areas. Harnessing ubiquitous moisture and sunlight for water and power generation is a sustainable route to address these challenges. Herein, we report a moisture-induced energy harvesting strategy to realize efficient sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting (SAWH) and 24-hour thermoelectric power generation (TEPG) by synergistically utilizing moisture-induced sorption/desorption heats of SAWH, solar energy in the daytime and radiative cooling in the nighttime. Notably, the synergistic effects significantly improve all-day thermoelectric power density (~346%) and accelerate atmospheric water harvesting compared with conventional designs. We further demonstrate moisture-induced energy harvesting for a hybrid SAWH-TEPG device, exhibiting high water production of 750 g m-2, together with impressive thermoelectric power density up to 685 mW m-2 in the daytime and 21 mW m-2 in the nighttime. Our work provides a promising approach to realizing sustainable water production and power generation at anytime and anywhere.
Related Concept Videos
The Water Cycle
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
Responses to Drought and Flooding
Regulation of Water Output
Xylem and Transpiration-driven Transport of Resources
Precipitation Processes

