Engineers in Peru design billboard that creates drinkable water out of thin air

August 7, 2013

Engineers from the University of Engineering and Technology of Peru (UTEC) designed a billboard in Lima that creates drinkable water from humidity, a basic filtration system, and a little gravitational ingenuity.

The billboard produces approximately 100 liters of water per day (26 gallons) which helps hydrate hundreds of families each month. Lima is located at the northern edge of the Atacama, the driest desert in the world, meaning the city sees perhaps half an inch of precipitation annually.

It's not entirely self-sufficient, requiring electricity to power the devices that comprise the billboard’s reverse osmosis filtration system. Solar panels have been discussed but not yet implemented. Hopefully the next one built will be 100% self-sustaining!