Omar Yaghi, a chemist born in Amman, Jordan, in 1965, experienced firsthand the challenges of water scarcity. As a child, he was responsible for collecting water for his family during the infrequent deliveries to their city. This early awareness of water's value inspired a lifelong mission: to ensure everyone has access to clean water.​

Now a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, Yaghi has developed materials known as Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs), and Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks (ZIFs). These substances, appearing as simple white powders, possess an internal structure filled with microscopic pores capable of capturing water molecules from the air—even in arid environments like Death Valley. A single gram of MOF can have an internal surface area equivalent to a football field.​

In 2023, Yaghi's team published results in Nature Water, demonstrating the practical application of these materials in real-world conditions. Their devices, powered solely by sunlight, can extract drinkable water from the atmosphere without the need for electricity. This technology holds promise for addressing global water shortages, as projections indicate that by 2050, three out of four people may face drought-related challenges.​

Yaghi's company, Atoco, is working to scale this technology, aiming to provide sustainable water solutions worldwide. By harnessing the air's moisture, his innovations offer a beacon of hope for communities struggling with water access, turning the dream of self-sufficiency into a tangible reality.​

Source: de Volkskrant