Turning dry desert air into drinkable water once sounded like something from a sci-fi movie. Now, it’s becoming reality—thanks to a breakthrough from researchers at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. As water supplies shrink across the region due to drought and climate change, scientists have taken a huge step toward creating a sustainable water source from an unlikely place: the air.

The American Southwest is running dry—literally. Lake Mead, the lifeline of Las Vegas, is shrinking at an alarming rate, and the city that defied nature is now facing one of its toughest challenges yet. But in true Vegas fashion, this city of reinvention is fighting back. From pioneering water conservation efforts to groundbreaking innovations like WAVR, a system that harvests water straight from the air, scientists and engineers are racing against time to secure the region’s future. Meanwhile, researchers are turning to an unlikely hero—cacti—as a potential solution for drought-resistant agriculture and even biofuel.

Imagine being severely dehydrated and water literally appearing out of thin air. In other words: The air you breathe could quickly become the water that wets your whistle. Well, that scenario is one step closer to reality thanks to University of Nevada, Las Vegas spinoff WAVR Technologies.

Southern Nevada is finding a way to supplement the Las Vegas Valley water supply through the air. A UNLV professor and his students are able to collect water from the atmosphere in their research.

Engineers have developed an atmospheric water capture device that efficiently generates drinking water from dry desert air, providing a sustainable solution to water scarcity in arid regions.

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) has been researching an innovative new approach to atmospheric water harvesting with improved water collection rates in arid environments.

Researchers at UNLV have developed a groundbreaking technology that efficiently extracts large amounts of water from the air, even in extremely low-humidity conditions.

Following global climatic change and the progression of arid areas, there is a dire need for liquid water in water-scarce areas. These areas are very vulnerable, and the upcoming decades are expected to worsen their condition. Technologies that can source water from alternative resources are of urgent importance.