Researchers in China have reportedly developed a new technology similar to hydropanels for harvesting water out of thin air that is powered by energy from the sun. The device could be especially useful in dry, arid areas where water — but not sunlight — is hard to come by.
The findings from the research team from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China were published in the scientific journal Applied Physics Reviews.
"This atmospheric water harvesting technology can be used to increase the daily water supply needs, such as household drinking water, industrial water, and water for personal hygiene," said Ruzhu Wang, one of the study's authors.
According to the study, the device is more efficient than other existing atmospheric water generators because it uses a "novel rotating operational strategy, in which one module works in the desorption, while the others work in the adsorption simultaneously … to keep the device harvesting water continuously."
The technology could also be used for purposes ranging from dehumidification to agriculture irrigation to thermal management for electronic devices.
It says the technology is similar but doesn't get into any specific comparison so I don't exactly read it the same way. This is a very brief and basic article that may not answer all your questions. I'm sure there is more to come.
It does go on to say:
It also mentions similar devices being used in areas such as Sand Branch Texas outside of Dallas. Your question is import and and while I can't answer it as thoroughly as I'd like I imagine these issues were in consideration when working on this and whether or not they'll be successful is something we'll find out soon.
Would be interested in hearing more from the community.