Nobel Laureate Omar Yaghi Unveils Machine That Extracts Drinking Water from Air

In a major scientific breakthrough that could transform access to clean water worldwide, 2025 Nobel Prize-winning chemist Omar Yaghi has introduced a revolutionary machine capable of extracting drinking water directly from the air — even in arid environments.

Developed by his deep-technology company Atoco, the system is based on an advanced field known as reticular chemistry. The innovation relies on highly porous materials called metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which function like molecular sponges. These materials are engineered to trap water molecules from the atmosphere, even when humidity levels are extremely low.

Unlike conventional atmospheric water generators that depend on cooling air to condense moisture — a process that consumes significant electricity — Yaghi’s device uses adsorption. In this method, water molecules adhere naturally to the internal surfaces of MOFs. Gentle heating, often powered by sunlight or low-grade thermal energy, then releases the trapped moisture, which is condensed into potable water.

A single unit, roughly the size of a standard shipping container, can reportedly generate up to 1,000 litres of clean water per day. Crucially, the system operates efficiently in humidity levels below 20 percent, making it suitable for deserts and drought-prone regions where traditional systems struggle.

The breakthrough comes at a time when global water scarcity is intensifying, with billions lacking reliable access to safe drinking water. Because the water is sourced directly from atmospheric moisture, it is inherently free from many contaminants found in groundwater or surface supplies. The innovation also echoes earlier calls by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to explore technologies capable of harvesting moisture from the air as a solution to water stress.