Patent ID: 8720677

Claim:
A method of harvesting water from sea water with stimuli-responsive superabsorbent polymers, comprising: (a) partially filling fabric-based bags or sachets lined with a semipermeable membrane with SAPs; (b) distributing the SAP filled fabric-based bags or sachets lined with a semipermeable membrane to a harvesting center; (c) contacting the SAP filled fabric-based bags or sachets lined with semipermeable membrane with sea water at the harvesting center; (d) harvesting water with SAP filled fabric-based bags or sachets lined with a semipermeable membrane by absorbing water from sea water to form hydrated SAP filled fabric-based bags or sachets; (e) storing hydrated SAP filled and semipermeable membrane-lined fabric-based bags or sachets in bags in warehouses for a period of time; (f) transporting hydrated SAP filled and semipermeable membrane-lined fabric-based bags or sachets in bags from warehouses to a point of use; and (g) releasing water from hydrated SAP filled and semipermeable membrane-lined fabric-based bags or sachets with a stimulus.