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Fontus Condensor Creates Fresh Water Out of Thin Air, Fits on a Bicycle

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Fontus water condensor pulls water from the air to create potable drinking water

Developed to help create fresh, potable water in areas where groundwater supplies are limited, the Fontus literally pulls moisture from the air to create up to half a liter per hour.

The condenser is solar powered, allowing a cooling unit to cool hot air, which helps separate the water from the air molecules. Putting it on a bike was a natural choice for designer Kristof Retezár since it’s the most common vehicle in the world and moves fast enough to force air into the upper chamber and across the condensor. From there, the water drips through a tube into the attached bottle.

Fontus water condensor pulls moisture from the air to create potable drinking water

The design lets the rider thread virtually any 0.5l water bottle into the device. Then, as they start riding, it’ll start filling that bottle. The rate depends on the relative humidity, but their research shows that even areas where ground water levels are low, there can still be enough humidity to create useful amounts of water. And, with so many people around the world in need of safe drinking water, this could have applications way beyond just being able to tour through remote areas for recreation.

Fontus water condensor pulls water from the air to create potable drinking water

The device is up for a James Dyson Award, check it out here. Via FastCo Exist, with hat tip to Rob for the heads up.

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maddogeco
maddogeco
9 years ago

I could have really used this on the weekend. I stupidly only brought 1 bottle with me. i was nudging 30°c and really high humidity. I ran out of water quickly. This would be great to keep making water as i road.

ACE
ACE
9 years ago

Great Idea BUT how do you keep bacteria from growing on the fins??

Steve
Steve
9 years ago

Silver plate it? I understand that this may not be economical. Maybe just enough to be antibacterial.

Dave
Dave
9 years ago

How big is the solar unit that can create enough energy to cool this system? Got a trailer?

DeeEight
DeeEight
9 years ago

Coat the fins in silver and poof, no bacteria growth.

Durianrider
Durianrider
9 years ago

Great idea BUT can’t find anywhere to buy em. Even google searches come up dry. Pun intended.

Big mike
Big mike
9 years ago

Or you can make it out of copper. Since it naturally kills bacteria.

Andrew
Andrew
9 years ago

Good idea but you can’t call that water. No sodium,no minerals,no nothing,you can drink gallons of that but it won’t do much I guess.

Pedals
Pedals
9 years ago

Why are these Kickstarter ideas always bolted onto the crappiest bikes?

simon
simon
9 years ago

I wonder what color the water will be after a london commute.

t pain
t pain
9 years ago

Tpain loves fresh water. But how cool would it be if it made cold beer instead??

Fertuffo
Fertuffo
9 years ago

Cons: bulky, demineralized water, not aerodynamic, heavy

dave
dave
9 years ago

Where do we buy from?

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