Water is very important in our daily life. All animals and plants need water. Without water there can be no life on earth. But the fight against drought(干旱) is serious around the world because more than a third of the world’s population lives in dry lands, areas that experience water shortages. Luckily, engineers and scientists at the University of Texas have developed an excellent way to help people in these areas get clean drinking water.
They developed a low-cost gel film(凝胶膜) that can pull water from the air in even the driest climate. Combining(结合) two simple things called cellulose and konjac gum, the gel is not expensive to produce. Just one kilogram of gel can get six liters of water in a dry land. For those living in relative wetlands, one kilogram of gel can collect up to 13 liters of water a day. As the gel is so easy to make, it may offer a way of providing drinking water to countries with water shortages.
Researchers have tried to collect fresh water from fog, but that only serves areas with high humidity(湿度). Other tries to pull water from desert air do not produce much. In fact, this gel is a great improvement from earlier water collecting technologies. The largest water collected has been 5. 87 liters in places with relative wetlands. This new gel doubles this amount, uses no energy and is simple to operate and it can be formed into a shape or size that best suits the user.
“This new work is about practical ways that people can use to get water in the hottest, driest places on Earth,” said Guihua Yu, professor at the Cockrell School of Engineering. “This could allow millions of people without ordered chance to drinking water to have simple, water generating instruments at home that they can easily operate.”
Although six liters does not sound like much, it’s fair enough that anyone can make it at home if they have the materials. The researchers say that scientists are planning on making a thicker gel that will increase the production, making this technology a practicable way to drought. I believe the new technology can help by making more water usable. Anyway, I’m sure we’ll find more ways to help ourselves.
27. According to the passage, the gel can ________.
A.improve the humidity of the air |
B.help people get clean water from the air |
C.be only formed into a shape or size |
D.cost lots of money and energy to produce |
28. Which of the following is the writer’s opinion?
A.Researchers have tried to collect fresh water from fog. |
B.One kilogram of gel can get six liters of water in a dry land. |
C.The new technology can help by making more water usable. |
D.Other tries to pull water from desert air do not produce much. |
29. Guihua Yu thinks the new water-collecting way is _________.
A.impossible | B.expensive | C.difficult | D.hopeful |
30. Which of the following can be the best title for the passage!
A.Important water | B.A new way to get water |
C.A low-cost gel film | D.Drought around the world |