Weixin Guan and Yaxuan Zhao, Materials Science & Engineering graduate students with the Texas Materials Institute, have been named one of the five finalist teams in the 2025 Collegiate Inventor Competition. Both students of Dr. Guihua Yu, the team invented AirGel, a cost-effective, water-harvesting device made from hydrogels that pulls water vapor from the air like a sponge.
Made from agricultural and food waste, the hydrogel is an innovate way to pull drinking water from the humidity in the air. With as many as two-thirds of people worldwide experiencing water scarcity, AirGel is a sustainable and portable solution.
According to the press release from UT News, Guan and Zhao will present their invention to a panel of judges October 16th. Winners will be announced the same day and receive a cash prize and patent acceleration certificate from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Since being introduced in 1990, the prize has turned into one of the most prestigious awards for engineering students.
The team is also up for the CIC's People's Choice Award, where the public (and MS&E students and alumni!) can vote once a day online through October 15th.
