Irvine Startup Develops Technology to Harvest Water from Air
An Irvine-based startup, Atoco, has developed a groundbreaking technology that extracts water from the air using metallic organic frameworks (MOFs). These nanocrystalline structures are engineered to attract and store water molecules from the atmosphere. The technology is particularly promising for arid regions and areas with limited water access. Atoco's shipping container-sized machine can produce up to 4,000 liters (1,057 gallons) of water daily and is set to go into production later this year. An off-the-grid version, powered by sunlight, is also being developed for remote communities. The innovation comes at a critical time as climate change exacerbates water scarcity worldwide, with half the global population experiencing shortages. The technology has gained attention due to its potential to decentralize water supply systems, reducing reliance on vulnerable centralized infrastructure like desalination plants. 
