A desiccant window includes: a transparent triangular prism that is disposed between first and second plates, is configured of a first side along the first glass and second and third sides which have an angle with respect to the first side in a sectional view, and forms (three) types of optical paths; and a desiccant heat receiving unit that has hygroscopicity and is disposed between the first and second plates, is installed on the second side of the triangular prism), and is received solar heat and releases absorbed moisture by heating using the received heat received.

A desiccant window includes: a transparent triangular prism that is disposed between first and second plates, is configured of a first side along the first glass and second and third sides which have an angle with respect to the first side in a sectional view, and forms (three) types of optical paths; and a desiccant heat receiving unit that has hygroscopicity and is disposed between the first and second plates, is installed on the second side of the triangular prism), and is received solar heat and releases absorbed moisture by heating using the received heat received.

Hygroscopic hydrogels including a cross-linked polymer, the polymer being prepared by polymerization of one or more monomers, wherein at least one of the monomers is a compound of formula I, are provided. Related monomers and polymers, as well as methods for the production and use thereof, are also provided. Hygroscopic hydrogels as described herein may be used for water harvesting, for example. (I) (formula I)

##STR00001##

Hygroscopic hydrogels including a cross-linked polymer, the polymer being prepared by polymerization of one or more monomers, wherein at least one of the monomers is a compound of formula I, are provided. Related monomers and polymers, as well as methods for the production and use thereof, are also provided. Hygroscopic hydrogels as described herein may be used for water harvesting, for example. (I) (formula I)

##STR00001##

A stable, solid, externally dry particulate system for controlling humidity to a selected range comprising a hydrophobic silica component and a hydrophilic silica component where the hydrophobic component comprises about 4 to 10 wt. % hydrophobic nano silica particles and from about 96 to 90 wt. % of a mixture of a saturated solution of at least one soluble solid and undissolved at least one soluble solid, and the hydrophilic micro silica component comprises from about 20 to 40 wt. % hydrophilic silica particles and about 80 to 60 wt.% of the mixture of the saturated solution of at least one soluble solid and the undissolved at least one soluble solid. The saturated solution is made of at least one soluble solid dissolved into a polar liquid and has an equilibrium relative humidity when a saturated solution in the polar liquid.

A method of forming a gas treatment element for use in a gas treatment apparatus, such as a desiccant dryer, is disclosed. The element is formed by casting a sheet material by phase inversion of a dope mixture including a solvent, an adsorbent material such as a desiccant and a polymer binder. Layers of the sheet material are located adjacent one another and this is most readily achieved by rolling the sheet material to form the gas treatment element.

A method of forming a gas treatment element for use in a gas treatment apparatus, such as a desiccant dryer, is disclosed. The element is formed by casting a sheet material by phase inversion of a dope mixture including a solvent, an adsorbent material such as a desiccant and a polymer binder. Layers of the sheet material are located adjacent one another and this is most readily achieved by rolling the sheet material to form the gas treatment element.

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a metal-organic framework (MOF) composition comprising a plurality of metal clusters, wherein the metal is chromium; and one or more tetratopic ligands; wherein the metal clusters and ligands associate to form a MOF with soc topology. A method of making a MOF comprising contacting a template MOF of formula Fe-soc-MOF and a reactant including chromium in a presence of dimethylformamide sufficient to replace Fe with Cr and form an exchanged MOF of formula Cr-soc-MOF. A method of sorbing water vapor comprising exposing a Cr-soc-MOF to an environment; and sorbing water vapor using the Cr-soc-MOF.

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a metal-organic framework (MOF) composition comprising a plurality of metal clusters, wherein the metal is chromium; and one or more tetratopic ligands; wherein the metal clusters and ligands associate to form a MOF with soc topology. A method of making a MOF comprising contacting a template MOF of formula Fe-soc-MOF and a reactant including chromium in a presence of dimethylformamide sufficient to replace Fe with Cr and form an exchanged MOF of formula Cr-soc-MOF. A method of sorbing water vapor comprising exposing a Cr-soc-MOF to an environment; and sorbing water vapor using the Cr-soc-MOF.

A porous aluminum-based metal-organic framework (MOF) comprises inorganic aluminum chains linked via carboxylate groups of 1H-pyrazole-3,5-dicarboxylate (HPDC) linkers, and of formula: [Al(OH)(C.sub.5H.sub.2O.sub.4N.sub.2)(H.sub.2O)].