Atoco startup uses data center waste heat to harvest water from air

Atoco, a California-based startup, has developed a technology to harvest drinking water from the air using low-grade waste heat. The process utilizes metal organic frameworks (MOFs), a material innovation developed by founder Omar Yaghi, who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Unlike traditional methods, this system requires no electricity or grid connection to capture or release the water. This makes it a potential solution for AI data centers, which generate significant amounts of waste heat and consume massive quantities of water for cooling. A single large data center can use up to 5 million gallons of water daily, and U.S. consumption by these facilities is projected to reach between 38 and 73 billion gallons by 2028.

By repurposing the heat discarded by servers, Atoco aims to address the growing water demands of the AI industry while providing a resource for water-stressed regions.