3D microstructures for rapid absorption/desorption in mechanically constrained liquid absorbents

An absorber or desorber, comprising:

• a plurality of micro-channels, wherein (1) each of the plurality of micro-channels comprises at least one 3-D structured heat-exchanging surface consisting of a series of ridges projected up from a base of the corresponding micro-channel between sidewalls of the corresponding micro-channel, the series of ridges forming an alternatingly asymmetrical herringbone structure, (2) a ratio between a depth of the ridges and a channel height of each of the plurality of micro-channels is larger than or equal to 0.6 , and (3) the sidewalls of each of the plurality of micro-channels are thermally conductive;
• a hydrophobic membrane situated proximal to a vapor-exchanging surface, wherein the vapor-exchanging surface is distal to the at least one 3-D structured heat-exchanging surface, wherein the at least one 3-D structured heat-exchanging surface resides on each of the plurality of micro-channels;
• and
• a solution, wherein the solution residing within the micro-channel has vortices that mix temperatures and concentrations by flowing over the at least one 3-D structured heat-exchanging surface of the absorber or desorber.