Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have developed a nanostructured solar panel coating designed to maintain performance in dusty, arid environments while capturing atmospheric moisture. Outdoor tests at KAUST over six months demonstrated minimal performance loss on treated panels, contrasting with significant declines in uncoated panels. The coating also condenses water vapor at night, which then rolls off, cleaning the panel and providing collected water sufficient for small-scale irrigation. Why it matters: This innovation offers a sustainable solution for improving solar energy efficiency and providing a supplementary water source in water-scarce regions, addressing critical challenges for renewable energy deployment in the Middle East.
KAUST researchers have developed a passive cooling device that uses gravity and radiative cooling to extract water from the atmosphere without electricity. The device reflects thermal energy back to the sky while collecting water using gravity and a lubricant coating to eliminate water droplet pinning. Tested in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, the system nearly doubled the water collection rate compared to other atmospheric water harvesting technologies. Why it matters: This innovation could improve the efficiency and adoption of solar cells in arid regions by providing a sustainable, electricity-free cooling and water harvesting solution.
KAUST Professor Peng Wang has been awarded the 2020 Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water (PSIPW). Wang's research focuses on using solar energy for fresh-water generation, industrial brine treatment, atmospheric water harvesting, and solar PV cooling. His recent work involves a hydrogel cooling panel for solar cells to improve efficiency in hot climates. Why it matters: This award recognizes impactful research addressing water scarcity and energy challenges in arid regions like Saudi Arabia through innovative solar-driven technologies.