Atmospheric water harvesting with nanoscale metal−organic frameworks
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. EDT
Register for this Zoom webinar.
Zhiling Zheng
Postdoctoral Associate
Chemical Engineering
Zhiling "Zach" Zheng will present advancements in atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) through the rational design and synthesis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). As freshwater resources face increasing strain from climate change and population growth, AWH emerges as a promising solution, particularly in arid regions. MOFs, a class of nanomaterials with highly tunable structures and ultra-high porosity, can be engineered at the atomic level to feature hydrophilic pockets, making them ideal candidates for efficiently capturing water from the atmosphere.
In this talk, Zach will first explore eco-friendly and scalable synthesis protocols for MOFs, which are essential for translating laboratory successes into real-world applications. He will also delve into the fundamental understanding of water adsorption mechanisms within MOFs, a crucial aspect for optimizing their performance in water harvesting. Building on the findings from single crystal X-ray diffraction and water vapor sorption studies, Zach will discuss the synergy between artificial intelligence (AI) and reticular chemistry, which accelerates the discovery and design of novel water-harvesting MOFs.
The talk will culminate with insights from a successful field test in Death Valley National Park, where MOFs were used to extract water from air under extreme low humidity conditions, demonstrating their potential in addressing global water scarcity.
Attendees can join and participate in the series via Zoom.