Synthetic trees

''Cornell University researchers modeled the water-transporting tissue, called "xylem," with fine networks of hydrogel-embedded capillaries. The hydrogel itself had nanometer-scale pores -- the same material is used in contact lenses -- that allowed water to evaporate, creating the necessary pressure differential.

The artificial tree proved capable of transporting water, raising the possibility of applying transpiration mechanisms to the heating systems of buildings or the cooling systems of computers. ''



Source here.