News

Meet The Desert Shrub That Absorbs Water From The Air

The Tamarix aphylla plant has the potential to revolutionize our approach to water collection and management.

Published

1 year ago

November 2, 2023

Nour Nasir

meet the desert shrub that absorbs water from the air

NYU Abu Dhabi

In the unrelenting heat of the UAE desert, scientists from NYU Abu Dhabi’s Smart Materials Lab have discovered the secret of one of the plant world’s most interesting and possibly useful species — Tamarix aphylla. This unassuming desert shrub can extract water from thin air, and tears up the rulebook on survival in one of the world’s harshest environments.

Marieh Al-Handawi, a Postdoctoral Associate, and her partner, Professor Panče Naumov, have made a groundbreaking discovery about Tamarix aphylla that could revolutionize our approach to water collection in arid regions. The desert shrub’s roots absorb hyper-saline water from the sandy soil, carefully filtering away the salt and expelling it as a concentrated solution onto the outer surface of its leaves as a mixture of over ten different minerals.

tamarix aphylla desert shrub

The crystalized minerals on the plant’s leaves possess a remarkable ability to attract further moisture from the air, even at humidity levels of just 55%. This collected moisture condenses on the leaves’ surface and is rapidly absorbed, creating a cyclical process that can continue indefinitely.

Lead author of the research, Marieh Al-Handawi, has high hopes for the team’s findings, explaining: “They also open prospects for designing environmentally benign formulations based on a biogenic salt mixture that could be used for efficient harvesting of aerial water or cloud seeding at low humidity. This holds the promise of revolutionizing cloud seeding practices by rendering them more effective and environmentally friendly while also aligning with our responsibility to use the planet’s scarce water resources wisely”.

Also Read: Canadian University Dubai Students Create Smart Garbage Bin

In a world where fresh water is becoming increasingly scarce, Al-Handawi and her team’s research could prove to be game-changing, with alternative water-harvesting technologies becoming a hot topic in the MENA region in particular.

News

1,000 Drones Light The Dubai Sky For AC Milan Celebration

Cyberdrone’s groundbreaking display marked 125 years of AC Milan football club and the 1st-year anniversary of Casa Milan Dubai.

Published

17 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Nour Nasir

Cyberdrone, a leading UAV display company based in Dubai, put on a breathtaking drone light show on Monday to honor two significant football milestones: AC Milan’s 125th anniversary and the one-year anniversary of Casa Milan Dubai.

The spectacle involved 1,000 drones working in perfect harmony to project AC Milan’s iconic imagery against the city’s night sky. Highlights included the UAVs synchronizing to form the club’s iconic crest, the signature red and black jersey, and a special emblem marking its 125th year. The intricate performance demanded meticulous planning, not just in terms of choreography, but also in dealing with the necessary permits and logistics.

cyberdrone ac milan dubai

“Our goal was to spotlight AC Milan’s legacy through a stunning visual narrative,” explained Mohamed Munjed Abdulla, Director of Sales at Cyberdrone. “We celebrated the club’s history, its Dubai milestone, and the universal love for football. The show also enhanced AC Milan’s regional presence, growing its fanbase through a cutting-edge, memorable experience. Drone shows are unparalleled in leaving lasting impressions, making them perfect for driving partnerships and growth”.

Also Read: Joby Begins Construction Of Dubai’s First Vertiport For Air Taxis

Greta Nardeschi, AC Milan’s Regional Director for MENA, echoed the sentiment, adding: “Collaborating with Cyberdrone for this 1,000-drone performance allowed us to connect with our fans in innovative ways. It gave us a unique opportunity to surprise and inspire audiences while elevating our Club’s visibility and that of our partners. Cyberdrone truly helped us take AC Milan to new heights”.

This groundbreaking drone display sets a new benchmark for the Middle East’s sports sector, which already contributes around $2.4 billion annually to Dubai’s GDP alone. Sporting events also generate $1.76 billion in revenues across the region, while the MENA’s entertainment sector, valued at $41.13 billion, is growing at 9.41% annually, driven by rapid technological advancements.