By Ross Brooks, Source: PSFK

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Cycling is a good way to work up a thirst, but how do you ensure you always have some water to hand – even without a water source? The answer is Fontus, a self-filling water bottle designed by Kristof Retezar that collects the moisture contained in the air, condenses it and stores it as safe drinking water. Powered by solar cells, it can harvest up to 0.5 litres of water in an hour´s time – assuming you have the right climatic conditions.

Retezar conducted a series of experiments to try and identify the ideal conditions, materials and cooling systems for his water bottle. His high-tech laboratory also happened to be his bathroom, where he simulated different climatic conditions by modifying the air temperature and humidity.

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The device works by cooling hot, humid air. It features a small cooler installed in its center called a Peltier Element. This cooler is divided in two, with each side isolated from the other. When powered by electricity, the upper side cools down and the bottom side gets hot. As air enters the bottom chamber at high-speed, it cools the hot side down. Moreover, when the air enters the upper chamber it is stopped by little walls perforated non-linearly, reducing its speed in order to give the air the needed time to lose its water molecules.

Read the rest at: PSFK