Energy & Environmental Nanotech Center @UTAustin, EE @ACSMatLett, AE @ScienceAdvances

Texas, USA
Joined April 2016
Harnessing solar energy to purify water. Professor Guihua Yu, winner of the Discovery Grand Prize in the 2025 Global Prize for Innovation in Water, developed a hydrogel-based technology that uses solar energy to produce clean water without electricity during operation. An innovation that translates research into practical applications, opening new possibilities for sustainable water solutions. #GPIW2026
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Yu Research Group retweeted
Researchers at UT Austin have developed a wearable textile that pulls moisture from the atmosphere and converts it into drinking water, potentially helping hikers, farmers and emergency responders stay hydrated. kxan.com/news/science/ut-aus…
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Yu Research Group retweeted
A new hierarchical textile fiber harvests atmospheric water even when woven into clothing, creating potable drinking water for portable, on-the-move use. Learn more in @ScienceAdvances: scim.ag/4uxO35Z
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Yu Research Group retweeted
Replying to @UTAustin
@UTAustin just built a real-life Dune stillsuit. A jacket that pulls drinking water from the air. No batteries. No pump. Just sunlight and hydrogel fabric — up to 30 ounces a day. Research out of @CockrellSchool led by @UT_YuGroup. The stillsuit was always the idea. They just got closer than anyone expected.
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Thanks for featuring our work on wearable atmospheric water harvesting system @ScienceAdvances! Turn conventional stationary, to portable, on-the-move use! #Energy #Water @CockrellSchool @EnergyUT @utmechengr
A new hierarchical textile fiber harvests atmospheric water even when woven into clothing, creating potable drinking water for portable, on-the-move use. @UT_YuGroup @CockrellSchool scim.ag/4ezWKYD
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Glad to share two recent works on atmospheric water harvesting technologies, from stationary AWH to field-portable, solar-powered, litre-scale gel-fabric system @NatureWaterJnl ; to hierarchical textile fibers based wearable system @ScienceAdvances. @CockrellSchool @utmechengr
What if the solution to water shortages is already in the air?💧 UT Austin researchers with the @CockrellSchool developed a solar-powered device that pulled record amounts of drinking water from the atmosphere in a range of climates, from the dry New Mexico desert to humid Austin. Read more about the technology here - utex.as/4w3ABYT
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Congratulations to the Class of 2026! 🎓🧡 We can't wait to see how you change the world 🤘
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Tipping our (grad) cap to the Class of 2026! #UT26
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Professor John Goodenough is a legendary scientist, a tremendously kind and supportive mentor with big heart for science and humanity, a very inspiring colleague for many of us. He is well remembered for his lasting impact and legacy on The Forty Acres @CockrellSchool @utmechengr
"We compete against problems, not against people." John B. Goodenough is the oldest person ever to receive a #NobelPrize. He was 97. Watch our interview with him. We talked to the extraordinary chemistry laureate about life, science and love: youtube.com/watch?v=jBTfdUkV…
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Thanks @UTexasResearch for featuring our work on hydrogels for sustainable water harvesting and purification! @CockrellSchool @utmechengr @EnergyUT
What starts here was never meant to stay here. Longhorn research and innovation reach far beyond the Forty Acres and are making an impact across Texas and beyond. 🤘 Learn more about the innovations happening across campus: utex.as/4vjVWOa
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A moment for the beautiful colors of campus 🌷
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Thank you @WelchFoundation for featuring this award! Very grateful of continued great support from @WelchFoundation, as Welch grant has played a critical role in enabling our exciting research discoveries related to water sustainability! @UTAustin @CockrellSchool @utmechengr
Congratulations to 2022 #HackermanAwardee Guihua Yu on winning the Grand Discovery Prize in the 2025 Global Prize for Innovation in Water! He’s recognized for pioneering hydrogel systems enabling solar-driven water purification and global water solutions.
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The Global Prize for Innovation in Water wraps up its third edition, reinforcing its global presence and championing solutions that will shape the future of water.
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Such a great honor to receive the 2025 Grand Global Prize for Innovation in Water @GPIW_Prize award! Also a true recognition to all outstanding students and supportive faculty that I have pleasure to work with over years! Hook’em @UTAustin @CockrellSchool @utmechengr @EnergyU
Guihua Yu, winner of the Grand Discovery Prize in the Global Prize for Innovation in Water.
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Guihua Yu, winner of the Grand Discovery Prize in the Global Prize for Innovation in Water.
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Congrats again @Weixin_Guan and Yaxuan! Big thanks to @UTAustin @CockrellSchool @utmechengr @EnergyUT for award highlights @InventorsHOF ! #Water #Energy #Sustainability
Weixin Guan and Yaxuan Zhao, @UTAustin materials science and engineering graduate students, won the 2025 Collegiate Inventors Competition graduate category with their invention called AirGel, a solar-powered device that captures moisture in the air and releases it as water. The duo marks UT’s first graduate win since the competition’s inception in 1990, earning $10,000 and a patent acceleration certificate as they aim to combat water scarcity problems worldwide. thedailytexan.com/2025/11/04…
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Yu Research Group retweeted
Weixin Guan and Yaxuan Zhao, @UTAustin materials science and engineering graduate students, won the 2025 Collegiate Inventors Competition graduate category with their invention called AirGel, a solar-powered device that captures moisture in the air and releases it as water. The duo marks UT’s first graduate win since the competition’s inception in 1990, earning $10,000 and a patent acceleration certificate as they aim to combat water scarcity problems worldwide. thedailytexan.com/2025/11/04…
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Yu Research Group retweeted
Congratulations to student teams from @WashU, @UTAustin, @Calvin_Uni and @Cornell 🎉 The teams were recognized in the Collegiate Inventors Competition, connecting inventive spirit and entrepreneurship. Thanks to @InventorsHOF for hosting the competition!
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