IHAC Film: Intelligent Humidity Control and Atmospheric Water Collection Film

Principle Investigator: 
Prof. YAN Jinyue Jerry, Chair Professor of Energy and Buildings, Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering

Intelligent Humidity Control and Atmospheric Water Collection Films (IHAC films) manage humidity and supply fresh water without using energy. They combine hydrophilic PAN/CNT nanofiber layers with water-retaining PAM hydrogels, offering exceptional water adsorption and storage. These lightweight, portable and cost-effective ($16.94/m²) films are scalable and durable in various conditions.

IHAC films significantly outperform traditional dehumidifying materials, they reduce humidity from 90.7% to 21.6% in one hour and produce freshwater yield of 1.1kg/m² daily. Unlike conventional methods, IHAC films require no external energy to operate and prevent bacterial growth. They also contribute to environmental sustainability by lowering energy consumption by 30 kWh/(year·m²) and CO₂ emissions by 16.5kg/(year·m²).

IHAC films enable energy-free humidity control and clean water in both indoor and outdoor settings, fostering plant growth, reducing CO₂, and improving air quality. With a remarkably fast cost recovery period of just 48 days, this approach shows great promise for broader applications.