How scientists in the Southwest are tackling the growing water scarcity crisis
September 17, 2025 | Technical.ly
Las Vegas startup WAVR Technologies, part of the NSF Futures Engine in the Southwest, is developing biomimetic tech that pulls water from the air, inspired by frogs’ ability to absorb moisture. WAVR is testing prototypes for landscaping and data center cooling on UNLV’s campus, aiming to address the region’s severe water challenges.
The Futures Engine, spanning Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, tackles water, air, and energy issues while linking innovation to industry needs. Institutions including UNLV, ASU, DRI and UU are also shaping curricula to train the workforce for clean tech growth, with future funding dependent on demonstrating early success.
New technology compares costs, emissions of electric and gas-powered vehicles
July 8, 2025 | @THEU Newsroom
Funded by the NSF’s Futures Engine program, a new EV vs. gas car comparison tool helps Utahns assess costs and emissions based on local data.
Created by data science grad student Adrian Martino in partnership with Utah Clean Energy, the tool shows how driving costs and CO₂ emissions vary depending on the energy mix powering an EV.
Users can test future grid scenarios, making it a valuable resource for policymakers, consumers, and advocates looking to make informed decisions.
$1.8M investment in WaterStart boosts water tech in Southwest
May 22, 2025 | Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development
Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) has invested $1.8 million in WaterStart to accelerate water-tech innovation in Nevada and the Southwest. The funding supports pilot projects, tech readiness, and workforce development, building on WaterStart’s success in deploying real-world solutions with utilities and public agencies.
This investment also strengthens Nevada’s role in the NSF Futures Engine in the Southwest. The regional coalition brings together research, government, and industry to address water challenges across the region.
More about The NSF Futures Engine in the Southwest
DRI’s role in innovative approach to southwest’s burgeoning growth
Through its leadership in SWSIE, DRI will continue to drive transformative research, foster new partnerships and support technological advancements to create a prosperous future.
Read on nnbw.comThe NSF Futures Engine in the Southwest funds tech startups, including some from Utah
One Utah-based startup receiving SWSIE funding is Aeonix, a Salt Lake City company focused on developing advanced lithium-metal batteries for electrified transportation.
Read on research.utah.eduMapping the way to harvesting water from air
Atmospheric water tech is gaining traction, with startups, governments, and industry investing and collaborating at a global summit to scale solutions for water scarcity.
Read on news.asu.eduASU-led Futures Engine funds 8 promising tech startups
NSF Futures Engine in the Southwest awarded $1.5M in Innovation Grants to eight startups in AZ, NV, and UT to commercialize prototype tech in water, energy and air.
Read on news.asu.eduLargest non-lithium battery project to break ground in Arizona this year
Desert Blume, backed by SWSIE, SRP & CMBlu, is the U.S.’s largest long-duration energy storage site—powering 1,125 homes for 10 hrs & training the Southwest’s future workforce.
Read on abc15.comPettinger to guide SWSIE’s sustainable technologies to market
As the new chief innovation officer, Pettinger is responsible for developing a robust organization to accelerate the solutions and new tech SWSIE generates to commercialization.
Read on news.asu.eduWatershed Moment: Engineers Invent High-Yield Atmospheric Water Capture Device for Arid Regions
As a megadrought stresses the water supply throughout the Southwest, revolutionary research is answering this problem with a groundbreaking technology.
Read on unlv.edu/newsA united front for sustainability and the economy
When four leaders of esteemed learning institutions and the mayor of Phoenix gather in one location at the same time, it’s a tip-off that something big is going down.
Read on news.asu.edu‘There’s so much we can do collectively’ University of Utah hosts NSF, regional partners at site visit
The University of Utah hosted the The NSF Futures Engine in the Southwest (SWSIE) Site Visit highlighting the achievements of the first year of this project.
Read on research.utah.eduMeasuring Colorado River Evaporation from Reservoirs
DRI, through SWSIE, is working with remote sensing startup Hydrosat to fill a critical data gap in obtaining temperature imagery across water reservoirs.
Read on dri.eduBiochar farm robots win $500K Wilkes Climate Launch Prize
In partnership with SWSIE, the Wilkes Center for Climate Science & Policy at the University of Utah announced Applied Carbon as winner of the $500,000 Wilkes Climate Launch Prize.
Read on attheu.utah.eduA Hidden Sea of Opportunity
The WAVR startup is the first to launch with the backing of SWSIE to tap into the high-powered insight and work from partners to transform access water from the atmosphere.
Read on unlv.edu/newsHydrosat launches first payload to monitor hot-spots on Earth
SWSIE partner Hydrosat launched its first temperature-taking sensor, designed to measure water stress for civil & commercial environmental and climate change applications.
Read on breakingdefense.comSWSIE Hires Brian Sherman as CEO
Brian Sherman, the new chief executive officer of NSF Engines: The NSF Futures Engine in the Southwest brings decades of experience in entrepreneurship, public sector strategy.
Read on news.asu.eduInside Greater Phoenix’s climate tech innovation and sustainability boom
Greater Phoenix supports climate tech in various ways and hosts numerous climate tech firms, including SWSIE on developing a workforce for the net-zero economy.
Read on axios.com‘Sustainability Engine’ aims to tackle climate challenges in the Southwest
To help confront climate challenges, the National Science Foundation has granted $15M to kickstart economic development in the region through job training and industry partners.
Read on kntv.comNSF announces new partners in ASU-led climate, economy initiative
White House Office of Science & Technology Policy, NSF representatives join SWSIE to welcome new partners to establish region as leader in sustainability-based innovation, tech
Read on news.asu.eduEngines for Change: UNLV Engineering, Economic Development Drive Regional Climate Innovation Partnership
Scientists and economic development partners at UNLV are joining with others across the region to do something about climate issues in the Southwest through SWSIE
Read on unlv.edu/newsA win for the environment and the economy in Utah, Nevada, Arizona
Driven by the U’s mission to find solutions for society’s critical challenges, SWSIE is an opportunity to tackle one of the biggest threats to the region.
Read on attheu.utah.eduA win for the environment and the economy in the Southwest
ASU-led, NSF-funded initiative will power regional climate solutions that offer economic opportunities
Read on news.asu.eduDRI, UNLV to Partner on Regional Climate Innovation Consortium
Led by ASU and supported by core academic partners from throughout the region, SWSIE aims to establish the SW as a leader in carbon, water and energy and workforce development.
Read on dri.eduBiden-Harris Administration Announces Innovation Engines Awards, Catalyzing More Than $530 Million to Boost Economic Growth and Innovation in Communities Across America
The The NSF Futures Engine in the Southwest will deploy new solutions to extreme regional dryness and heat, enabling equitable water and energy access.
Read on whitehouse.gov/briefing-roomNSF establishes 10 inaugural Regional Innovation Engines across the country
The NSF Futures Engine in the Southwest is 1 of 10 inaugural engines to transform the region into a self-sustaining, technology and innovation-driven hub of economic activity
Read on news.nsf.gov