Our latest updates, milestones, and event highlights.

Over two days, 170 participants gathered for the Third International Atmospheric Water Harvesting Summit and planned future applications of the technology. The article by Faith Kearns highlights the humble beginnings of the Summit and then discusses the next steps outlined at the conclusion of the event.

AZ Central covered the Third International Atmospheric Water Harvesting Summit. Read through the article feature to learn more about how Atmospheric water harvesting (pulling drinkable water from the air) is gaining momentum as a solution to water scarcity and dive deeper into the plan for the industry to scale up to 1 billion cubic meters (264 billion gallons) per year within the next decade.

In an interview with KJZZ Phoenix, Tiezheng Tong and Shahnawaz Sinha, two of GCWT’s very own researchers, walk you through the technology being created to remedy waste produced in industrial and manufacturing processes.

ASU Regents Professor Paul Westerhoff in front of the BioCells containing liquid nutrient media, bacteria and metal for the Germicidal Ultraviolet Light Biofilm Inhibition investigation that he leads. There are four parallel reactors — each with five BioCells — where biofilm growth is monitored. The glowing blue color comes from side-emitting optical fibers, supplied with light from LEDs. This research uses special optical fibers to deliver ultraviolet light to inhibit biofilm growth and examine microgravity’s effects on it.

Bruce Rittmann, Arizona State University Regents Professor and director of the ASU Biodesign Institute Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, is developing a technology that uses bacteria to remove contaminants from water and recover valuable metals that would otherwise go to waste.

Partnering with Nestlé, ASU is working to reduce the amount of briny waste left over from water desalination.

The Global Center for Water Technology introduced at Washington D.C. event on May 19th, 2025.

ASU expert talks about new technology’s potential to solve water challenges.

Nariman Mahadbadi’s research explores how geo-cooling can be used as an alternative to water, which is vital as technology continues to boom in Arizona.

In February 2025, the GCWT hosted the second Atmospheric Water Harvesting Summit, where over 150 participants from academia, startups, government, and NGOs collaborated to shape an AWH roadmap.

Adam Gushgari, Portfolio Manager for Water Research and Innovation with GCWT, talks through the benfits of pursuing enterpenurship in academia.

Treavor Boyer leads collaboration with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality as Arizona implements a new federal regulation focused on reducing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in drinking water.

Discover how atmospheric water harvesting is paving the way for innovative water security solutions, as explored at GCWT’s first-ever Atmospheric Water Harvesting Summit.

Learn how atmospheric water harvesting is tackling water scarcity and how it was showcased at the first-ever Atmospheric Water Harvesting Summit.

University to lead partnership for immediate, actionable solutions to state’s water needs now, into the future.