Atmospheric Water Extraction (AWE)
Abstract
The Atmospheric Water Extraction (AWE) program aims to enable water harvesting directly from the atmosphere by leveraging new materials and advanced engineering and manufacturing techniques to alleviate the logistical and tactical burden of the water supply chain. Currently, the DoD relies on purification of existing water sources and/or distribution of bottled or treated water to provide the warfighter with sufficient daily hydration. State-of-the-art water-from-air generation systems are not suitable for military applications because the systems do not operate in a range of atmospheric conditions needed by our soldiers, from arid conditions (<40% relative humidity) to extremely humid, and are too energy-intensive (<7 gallons of water output per gallon of fuel). This program will deliver systems with extraordinarily low size, weight, and power (SWaP) characteristics to provide potable water to individual warfighters, and expeditionary units. Technologies developed under this program will provide strategic and tactical advantages aligned with the DoD's vision of future combat operations carried out by distributed and self-sustaining forces.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2023
- Source ID
- 36ecaecdf3d0279e05ceb02d8da5bb4c