Nov 7, 2016 | By Benedict

22-year-old Jawwad Patel, an engineering student from Hyderabad, India, has developed a 3D printed self-filling water device that can turn humid air into around 1.8 liters of water in just one hour. Patel has been working on various inventions and electronics since the age of 10.

3D printed Dewdrop water device

3D printers are impressive things. In just a few hours, they can make incredible, intricately designed objects out of nothing more than a coil of plastic, a tray of liquid resin, or a bed of powdered metal. However, it’s beyond even a 3D printer to make something out of thin air. That task has seemingly been left to the “Dewdrop,” a 3D printed device developed and built by engineering student Jawwad Patel that is capable of producing drinkable water using only air from the atmosphere. It’s quick, too: in humid conditions, the device can produce nearly two liters of water in an hour, and can still squeeze out about 1.2 liters in dryer climes.

The 3D printed Dewdrop sounds like magic, but in fact simply harnesses the power of condensation. A system of electric fans within the 3D printed Dewdrop device serves to cool air below its dew point, turning it into water vapor which then collects in a vessel below the contraption. The gadget is even able to filter out foreign materials such as dust with a UV filter, separating the unwanted stuff from the mineralized mater. The 3D printed water-making device requires a 12-volt connection and electric current of 6000 mAh. While it is currently powered by batteries, it could also make use of solar energy through solar panels.

3D printer-savvy student Jawwad Patel

The 3D printed Dewdrop, which is essentially a compact atmospheric water generator (AWG), has the potential to serve various important uses, such as generating essential drinking water in areas of drought, and even has a hot/cold option, making it ideal for those in cold climates or for those who simply love coffee or tea. The 3D printed device is not Patel’s first invention, with the engineering student previously developing a “smart helmet” for motorcyclists that prevents the rider from starting his or her engine if they are over the alcohol limit, and which automatically alerts the emergency services in the event of an accident.

In recognition of his engineering achievements, Patel has been nominated for two notable awards in his home country: the National Youth Award 2015-16, given to recipients aged 15-29 who achieve excellence in the field of national or social service, and the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Excellence Award 2016, an award that recognizes contributions to scientific development and the humanities.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

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Hugh - David wrote at 11/23/2017 3:42:59 AM:The concept is great but not complete without proper filtration of the contaminants that will be in the air that will come out in the condensed water. My dehumidifier gets out about 8 - 9 gallons daily depending on how much time I let it run and how dry I want the air. My dehumidifier will run continuously if set at 25% relative humidity but never seems to get there. It will cycle off occasionally when set to 30%. Lot's of sediment from the collected water though. I have not sent in the sediment for testing but to be safer i use a sawyer water filter designed to purify water and follow up with a activated charcoal filter to remove any VOC's that might have condensed as well. I would like to know more about this device though including availability and price.The_Monkier wrote at 11/18/2016 5:20:11 AM:This is retard scam-bait. Hey Jawwad, stop wasting our time.BS Fakecrap wrote at 11/15/2016 9:55:26 PM:Bullshit, this does not work. Open it up and you will find a hose inside. Fake, fake and even more fake than "Waterseer"Shandor wrote at 11/11/2016 3:22:30 PM:I agree with the naysayers: 3D printing has not contributed anything new to this old concept. It's excellent to get water from the air, as every dehumidifier does, and South American engineering students integrated a larger AWG into a billboard sign along the highway some years ago. Passersby can get a drink at the base of the big sign. Now, if this fellow had used 3D printing to innovate some new flow channel design which reduced the electricity required to cool the air below its dew point, I'd be cheering him on!dave r wrote at 11/10/2016 2:20:30 PM:You should call the drought stricken city of Cape town in South Africa, you will sell thousandsAlex C wrote at 11/9/2016 10:36:55 PM:Indeed, this thing is essentially a 70W dehumidifier (probably using an extremely inefficient peltier element). I also doubt the performances. My home humidifier gathers a few liters on a very humid day, while using a much more efficient compressor and condenser, while using hundreds of watts.Don s wrote at 11/9/2016 5:12:06 PM:Of course evaporated water is ok for human consumption. You just have to keep the unit clean and free of any bio organisims. I.e. Chlorox.Gary Toothman wrote at 11/9/2016 2:55:31 AM:I hope the comments give you thoughts for improving a great concept. Grace and PeaceMr Magic wrote at 11/8/2016 6:24:41 PM:math does not work out. Fake as nuts on a cow.Yuri S wrote at 11/8/2016 6:22:32 PM:math does not work. fake as nuts on a cow.I.AM.Magic wrote at 11/8/2016 4:14:19 PM:Will not work-willy- wrote at 11/8/2016 2:56:26 PM:This is a great idea for campers and users of tiny homes. So many areas this would be useful. Hope this gentleman becomes a billionare on his designs.I.AM.Magic wrote at 11/8/2016 9:11:40 AM:I call BS on this. My 250 € dehumidifier (which this thing is) manages 4-5 liters in 24 h in a hot humid day. That works out at 0.2 l/h in the best conditions! and it is 350 W There have been many attempts on indiegogo and kickstarter for such devices, and they are all scampaigns.Hernan Crespo wrote at 11/7/2016 10:22:35 PM:sounds like a reverse engineered de-humidifier, getting water as byproduct of condensation...which is not apt for human consumption...so I would not drink a drop of this thing



