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Atmospheric water harvesting for humidity control in medical devices for global health

delete2026-07-27
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PRE
AI
W
Weixin Guan
Y
Yaxuan Zhao
B
Bozhi Tian
X
Xuanhe Zhao
G
Guihua Yu *
DOI:10.1038/s41551-026-01751-2delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Atmospheric water harvesting (AWH), which captures water from air, either by condensing humid air or by using sorbents that bind and release water vapour, is being explored as a decentralized source of clean water where piped supply is absent, intermittent or unsafe1–5. Here we highlight the role of AWH as a reversible vapour sorption and controlled condensation strategy to regulate humidity and water activity (the effective availability of water) within biomedical devices. AWH can buffer local hydration and generate small liquid volumes for sampling, improving the robustness of wearables, point-of-care assays and respiratory monitoring in environments where conventional humidity control is unavailable. This Perspective examines how atmospheric water harvesting can be repurposed to manage moisture in biomedical devices, enabling hydration buffering, sample generation and improved performance.

Journal

Nature Biomedical Engineering cover
Nature Biomedical Engineering
IF:
26.6
Papers:
1.7K
Citations:
2.0W

Organization

T
The University of Chicago
Scholars:
785
Papers: 281
Citations: 0
T
the university of texas at austin
Scholars:
985
Papers: 422
Citations: 0
M
massachusetts institute of technology
Scholars:
3.3K
Papers: 1.2K
Citations: 0
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