Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital was hit by Hurricane Milton earlier this week
Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times/ZUMA Wire/Alamy
An innovative solution has emerged for a children’s hospital affected by Hurricane Milton. The hospital, facing water shortages in the aftermath of the disaster, is now utilizing a cutting-edge device that extracts potable water directly from the air. This initiative showcases the potential of atmospheric water harvesting systems in responding to calamities.
According to David Stuckenberg, a key figure at Genesis Systems, the Florida-based creator of this apparatus, having access to both water and power is crucial for a hospital’s operations. The system employs advanced absorbent materials known as metal organic frameworks to condense moisture from air passed through the device. Subsequently, it releases pure water upon heating the material by approximately 8°C.
Atmospheric water harvesting systems, known for their self-sufficiency, have garnered interest for various applications, including supplying water to off-grid communities and supporting military operations. These systems have proven invaluable in responding to disasters by ensuring a reliable water source in times of crisis.
Jason Weida, from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, recognized the potential of this technology as Hurricane Milton loomed. The system was swiftly deployed to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, restoring the facility’s water supply and ensuring the wellbeing of its occupants, including newborns in critical care.
Overall, atmospheric water harvesting systems represent a versatile and efficient solution for securing water supply during emergencies, offering a valuable layer of redundancy in critical situations.
Vocabulary List:
- Innovative /ˈɪnəˌveɪtɪv/ (adjective): Introducing new ideas; original and creative in thinking.
- Disaster /dɪˈzæstər/ (noun): A sudden event causing great damage or hardship.
- Atmospheric /ˌætməsˈfɛrɪk/ (adjective): Relating to the atmosphere; air.
- Harvesting /ˈhɑːrvɪstɪŋ/ (verb): The act of gathering a crop or resource.
- Self-sufficiency /sɛlf səˈfɪʃənsi/ (noun): The ability to fulfill one’s own needs without external assistance.
- Calamities /kəˈlæməˌtiːz/ (noun): Serious events causing great and often sudden damage or distress.
How much do you know?
What type of hospital was affected by Hurricane Milton?
What is the innovative solution being utilized by the hospital affected by Hurricane Milton?
Which absorbent materials are used in the system to extract moisture from the air?
Who deployed the atmospheric water harvesting system to Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital?
What temperature increase causes the material to release pure water in the device?
For what purpose have atmospheric water harvesting systems been used besides responding to disasters?
Atmospheric water harvesting systems have proven to be inefficient during disasters.
The system in the hospital uses metal organic frameworks to extract water from the air.
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration recognized the potential of the technology during Hurricane Milton.
The innovative device extracts water from the ground.
Atmospheric water harvesting systems are only useful for military operations.
This technology was deployed to a different hospital than Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital.
The system releases pure water upon heating the material by approximately °C.
Jason Weida is from the for Health Care Administration.
Atmospheric water harvesting systems ensure a reliable water source in times of .
The hospital was facing water shortages in the of the disaster.
Metal organic frameworks are used to condense moisture from passed through the device.
This initiative showcases the potential of atmospheric water harvesting systems in responding to .