US 11,992,813 B2
Structured hydrogel membranes for fresh water harvesting
Ye Shi, Pasadena, CA (US); Julia R. Greer, Pasadena, CA (US); Harry A. Atwater, Pasadena, CA (US); and Ognjen Ilic, Pasadena, CA (US)
Assigned to California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA (US)
Filed by California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA (US)
Filed on Jul. 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/862,916.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/221,670, filed on Jul. 14, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0024854 A1, Jan. 26, 2023
Int. Cl. B01D 69/14 (2006.01); B01D 53/26 (2006.01); B01D 61/36 (2006.01); B01D 69/02 (2006.01); B01D 71/38 (2006.01); C02F 1/44 (2023.01)
CPC B01D 69/147 (2013.01) [B01D 53/261 (2013.01); B01D 61/364 (2013.01); B01D 69/02 (2013.01); B01D 69/1411 (2022.08); B01D 71/381 (2022.08); C02F 1/447 (2013.01); B01D 2311/2626 (2013.01); B01D 2311/2674 (2022.08); B01D 2313/367 (2022.08); B01D 2325/04 (2013.01); B01D 2325/36 (2013.01); C02F 2201/009 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of purifying and collecting water, the method comprising:
contacting a membrane with fog, wherein the membrane comprises:
a sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface; and
a plurality of conical structures disposed on the top surface of the sheet, the conical structures comprising a hydrogel material;
absorbing water from the fog into the membrane via the conical structures;
collecting the fog-derived water;
placing the membrane on a surface of an amount of impure water, wherein the impure water is not the fog-derived water;
covering the membrane with a condensation structure, wherein the condensation structure is at least partially transparent to solar radiation;
distilling at least a portion of the impure water, wherein the distilling comprises:
absorbing the impure water into the membrane via the bottom surface of the sheet;
heating the membrane via solar radiation;
releasing purified water vapor from the conical structures;
condensing the purified water vapor on a surface of the condensation structure; and
collecting the condensed purified water.