There are two new solutions that, if proven to be scaleable, have the potential to be absolutely groundbreaking. One addresses water scarcity and another energy supply, both also address the issue of waste.
Water out of thin air
Water scarcity is known to be one of the greatest challenges of our time, with over 2 billion people lacking access to safe drinking water. This problem is only getting worse with climate change. UNICEF warns that some 700 million people could be displaced by intense water scarcity by 2030.1
An exciting new innovation from researchers at the University of Texas at Austin offers a ray of hope – and it starts simply with food scraps and moisture in the air.
Scientists have developed a sponge-like gel made entirely from natural materials: plant starches, cellulose, and chitosan from crustacean shells, that can absorb moisture from the air.
This gel acts like a sponge, soaking up water vapour from the atmosphere and releasing it as clean, drinkable water.2
In the latest reported test, each kilogram of the hydrogel generated 14.19 litres of clean water daily.
While previous versions of a similar concept materials relied on petroleum-based plastics, this hydrogel is made from biodegradable biopolymers, many of which are byproducts or waste from agriculture and food processing. It’s a low-cost, eco-friendly alternative that could make a big impact, especially in off-grid or resource-limited regions.
And there’s plenty of water to be captured: the Earth’s atmosphere holds an estimated 13 thousand cubic kms of water vapour – more than all the rivers on the planet combined. With the right technology, even the driest air can become a source of life.
Simply put, this innovation could save millions of lives.
Fungal batteries
Swiss scientists have created biodegradable batteries made from fungi. Using common yeast and white rot fungus, the batteries generate electricity with just sugar and water, and then safely decompose after use.
Developed by Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology), the batteries are 3D-printed using a special cellulose-based ink that keeps the fungal cells alive and functioning. As yeast digests sugar, it releases electrons. The white rot fungus then captures them, creating an eco-friendly electric current.3
These fungal batteries are ideal for low-power devices like environmental sensors, especially in remote areas where replacing or recycling traditional batteries is difficult and harmful to the planet. Unlike conventional batteries, they contain no toxic materials and leave behind zero waste. While still in early stages, this innovation is part of a growing movement to use fungi in sustainable tech, from building materials to biodegradable electronics.
“They represent a shift in how we think about power generation – from permanent devices that create lasting waste to natural systems that complete their lifecycle without environmental harm.”4
Together, these breakthroughs: harvesting water from air using food waste and generating power from fungi, show how nature can inspire powerful, sustainable solutions to some of our most pressing global challenges.
(This blog was originally published by Private Goodness on the 1st of June 2025)
References:
- https://www.unicef.org/wash/water-scarcity
- https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2025/04/researchers-use-food-scraps-to-produce-clean-water-from-thin-air/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=researchers-use-food-scraps-to-produce-clean-water-from-thin-air
- https://happyeconews.com/fungal-batteries-offer-sustainable-power-solution-with-zero-waste/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyDifference&utm_content=The%20power%20of%20fungi
- https://happyeconews.com/fungal-batteries-offer-sustainable-power-solution-with-zero-waste/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyDifference&utm_content=The%20power%20of%20fungi
Private Goodness 