The objective of the research was to determine the desiccant adsorption properties that would maximize the performance of a gas-fired open-cycle desiccant cooling device. Our approach to the problem was to hypothesize that the maximum performance possible would be achieved by containing the thermal and mass wavefronts within the desiccant bed for both the dehumidification and the regeneration processes. Various hypothetical desiccant materials and silica gel were investigated using a computer model. Parameters such as desiccant loading, desiccant density, air conditions, adsorption properties, etc. were varied. Results of the research showed that the parameters which enhance performance for one process (dehumidification or regeneration), reduce performance for the other. The most desired desiccant therefore, becomes a compromise between the two processes. The desiccant that achieves the best compromise is a fairly well-defined Brunauer Type 1 material. Systems analyses using the material indicated that COP's of 1.3 were possible under standard operating conditions. More importantly, the specific cooling capacity (inverse of physical size) was extremely large. Not only is the thermal efficiency higher than with other materials, but the cooling capacity is markedly higher.