Marieh Bassam Al Handawi - العربية

Dr. Maria Bassam Al-Hindawi innovation is a nature-inspired solution that captures fresh water from fog and humidity. Her idea was inspired by the pressing freshwater crisis in the UAE and a historical tale about a “magic tree” used to collect water from the air. It also stemmed from the need for sustainable alternatives to energy-intensive desalination in the Middle East.

Dr. Al-Hindawi research presents the first documented example of a natural fog-harvesting system in the Middle East. This desert plant secretes a concentrated layer of moisture-absorbing biosalts on its branches. These salts possess an exceptional ability to absorb moisture directly from the air, even at relative humidity levels as low as 55%. The salts then undergo a continuous solid-liquid cycle, absorbing water vapor until they dissolve (dissolve in the liquid), and then recrystallize, capturing significant quantities of fresh water daily.

This innovation translates this natural chemical process into a practical technology by formulating these salts for use as thin layers on artificial fog-collecting networks or incorporating them into deployable devices. This mechanism, which is more chemical than structural, is scalable, low-cost, and easy to deploy, making it a promising and sustainable alternative to desalination.

Future plans include further studies on native plants in the UAE, testing biosalts as environmentally friendly cloud seeding materials, and improving water harvesting systems using biodegradable hydrogels. This promises environmentally friendly and energy-efficient solutions for water-scarce regions.