Indian Engineers Tackle Water Shortages with Star Wars Tech in Kerala

In the Indian city of Kozhikode, Kerala, facing severe water shortages, a group of engineers has turned to science fiction for a solution. Engineering student Swapnil Shrivastav, alongside partners Govinda Balaji and Venkatesh Raja, founded Uravu Labs to develop a technology inspired by “Star Wars” that harvests water from the humid air.

Inspiration from Science Fiction

Shrivastav, who had previously won a competition on tackling water scarcity, drew inspiration from “moisture vaporators” in “Star Wars,” devices used to extract water from the atmosphere on dry planets like Tatooine. These fictional devices utilize refrigerated condensers and low-energy ionization fields to collect water, which is then stored after adjusting its pH levels.

Turning Fiction into Reality

In 2019, Uravu Labs was established in Bangalore with the goal of converting air to water using a liquid desiccant. Their machine absorbs moisture from the air, which is then heated by sunlight or renewable energy to release the captured moisture. This moisture is condensed into drinking water in a process that takes 12 hours and can produce up to 2,000 liters (about 500 gallons) of water per day.

Challenges and Adaptations

Despite the machine’s efficiency, the cost of manufacturing and running these devices proved too high for widespread civic use. Uravu Labs pivoted to commercial applications, finding a niche market in the hospitality sector, where they provide water to 40 different clients. This shift has allowed the startup to remain operational while they continue to refine their technology.

Future Developments

The team at Uravu Labs is exploring ways to make their desiccant more efficient, possibly reducing the required operating temperature or finding a more cost-effective material. They are also investigating the potential of utilizing waste heat from data centers to power their devices, further improving efficiency and reducing costs.

Sophia H.