The Earth’s atmosphere contains around 13.000 km3 of mostly unexploited freshwater. Fontus has a small internal cooler that is divided into two halves. How does it work? “Basically, condensation occurs when you cool air to its saturation point. Water scarcity may be the most underestimated resource issue facing the world today. Air moving through the chambers is slowed and cooled to condense moisture, which drips down into the bottle.”
The inspiration: “According to UN statistics, More than 2 billion people in more than 40 countries live in regions with water scarcity. H2O to Go: Bike Bottle Makes Water from Thin Air as You Cycle
Using air flow and solar energy, this ingenious device creates up to 16 ounces (a half-liter) per hour of drinkable water via condensation as you ride, quenching your thirst just when and where you need it most: while cycling hard in hot and humid climates. Every measure to ease this upcoming crisis is a welcome one.”
“Harvesting water from the air is a method that has been practised for more than 2000 years in certain cultures mostly in Asia and Central America. When air flows past the heated lower half, it makes the top cool even further. Austrian designer Kristof Retezár has submitted his work on this self-filling water bottle (dubbed Fontus) for award consideration to the James Dyson Foundation. My goal was to create a small, compact and self-sufficient device able to absorb humid air, separate water molecules from air molecules and store water in liquid form in a bottle.” Retezár experimented with various materials, systems and processes to make a working prototype in his own bathroom, testing under various temperatures and humidity conditions.
