New paint innovation that generates water from thin air has been revealed

A team of researchers from the University of Sydney in Australia has developed a new type of nanoengineered polymer paint-like coating that can reduce surface temperatures by up to 6C while harvesting fresh water from the atmosphere without the need of an external power source.

The ground-breaking breakthrough was led by a team originating from the University and Sydney and the start-up Dewpoint innovations, which could help to construct buildings to withstand extreme weather, as well as addressing the water crisis in barren areas.

The six month trial revealed that the coating can harvest 390 mL of water per square metre each day, meaning that the daily drinking needs of one person could be met with a 12-square-metre surface coated in the paint.

In this connection, Professor Chiara Neto from the University of Sydney’s Nano Institute said, "This technology not only advances the science of cool coatings but also opens the door to sustainable, low-cost and decentralized sources of fresh water which are crucial in the face of climate change and growing water scarcity."

The paint reflects up to 97 per cent of sunlight and thermal radiation into the surrounding air.

The cooler surface creates the conditions for water vapor in the atmosphere to condense into droplets in a way that a bathroom mirror fogs up during a hot shower.

The study of nanoengineered polymer-paint like coating reflects a pivotal role in sustainable technology as its design achieves strong reflectance and delivers durability in a single scalable material.