The rise of 3D/4D-printed water harvesting materials

Abstract

The incorporation of cutting-edge technology in developing diverse water harvesters enhances the efficiency of water harvesting systems. Fog harvesting device (FHD) and solar vapor generation device (SVGD) have emerged as environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and efficient methods for generating clean and fresh water, gaining significant attention in recent years. Additionally, there has been extensive reporting on various fog harvesters and photothermal materials, and their structural designs to enhance the efficiency of water harvesting systems. Notably, the exploration of three-dimensional (3D)/four-dimensional (4D) printed FHD and SVGD represents a crucial research avenue in this field. This comprehensive review meticulously investigates recent advancements in designing and engineering 3D/4D printed materials, specifically tailored to enhance water harvesting efficiency. We present an overview of 3D printed materials and designs featuring diverse surface properties to enhance the effectiveness of FHD and SVGDs. The working principles of both systems and key considerations for designing new FHD and SVGD are explored. We investigate a variety of 3D printed materials optimized for fog collection and vapor generation, evaluating their performance based on structural engineering and surface properties. The review also emphasizes 4D printed materials, highlighting their potential for continuous water harvesting from day to night. In conclusion, the review furnishes a comprehensive summary, providing insights into current research, accomplishments, and future challenges in the realm of 3D/4D printed materials for water harvesting. We believe that this information serves as valuable education and motivation for new researchers and the scientific community.