Billboard converts desert air into drinking water

[Tony_FLADEM]

An advertising agency has created what it's calling the world's first billboard that converts air into drinking water.

The billboard—a collaboration between agency Mayo DraftFCB and Peru's University of Engineering and Technology—was placed in Peru's rain-starved desert capital, Lima.

Lima gets less than an inch of rain per year on average, but since the city's humidity hovers around 98 percent, generators attached to the structure are able to capture atmospheric moisture, filter it and produce potable water.

The harvested water is then stored in 20-liter tanks and can be retrieved from taps at the base of the billboard.

"Agua aqui," a neon display near the base reads.

According to the university, the billboard produced 9,450 liters of drinking water in three months—enough to sustain hundreds of Peruvian families per month.

Watch a short video explaining the project below:

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/billboard-air-water-peru-lima-142159082.html

[msongs]

1. great idea and what's the per gallon $$? will they be hijacked by gangs and corporations

who will control who can access the water?

[MineralMan]

3. Condensing water out of air with 98% humidity

is a breeze, literally. This should be expanded and used everywhere in that area. Even simpler working systems are possible, down to ones that could serve individual homes in the area.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

4. the video shows the villagers getting water

so at least this one is free

[MineralMan]

2. Shades of Frank Herbert's Dune.

Sounds like a good use of technology.

[pinto]

5. What a great idea.

[central scrutinizer]

6. sustain hundreds of families?

9,450 liters in three months is a little over 100 liters per day. Even if it were only 100 "families" and each "family" consisted of one person, that would be one liter per day per person. Not nearly enough.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

7. I really love innovative thinking like this. eom