Mapping the way to harvesting water from air
March 17, 2025 | ASU News
Technologies that collect water vapor and turn it into pure, liquid water are emerging to tackle global water challenges — and, to help, industries including pharmaceutical and semiconductor manufacturing are pouring money into research and pilot testing.
Experts in the field recently gathered for the second annual International Atmospheric Water Harvesting Summit, with 22 startup companies represeting 40% of participants and 20% from government, all contributing to a detailed roadmap for this already deployed technology.
Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine funds 8 promising tech startups
March 12, 2025 | ASU News
SWSIE awarded $1.5 million in its inaugural round of Innovation Grants to eight tech companies, aiming to support the transition from proven model or prototype to commercialization.
Based in or piloting projects in Arizona, Nevada and Utah, the eight awardees are advancing technologies that stand to spur economic growth in the desert Southwest. They seek to solve challenges in industries ranging from semiconductor manufacturing and solar power to mining and atmospheric water harvesting.
Largest non-lithium battery project to break ground in Arizona this year
January 8, 2025 | ABC15 Arizona
SWSIE partners Salt River Project and CMBlu Energy are breaking ground this year on Desert Blume in Florence, Arizona, the largest long-duration energy storage facility in the United States.
It will provide energy for 1,125 average homes for 10 hours during non-daylight hours — longer (and safer) than a lithium-based facility.
Because of SWSIE, more of the workforce in the Southwest will become trained on working with this energy storage through its academic partners across Arizona, Nevada and Utah.
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.eduPettinger 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