Rahul somvanshi
Their new solar-powered desalination device offers a sustainable and efficient method to convert seawater into drinkable water, addressing a critical global need for clean water access.
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The United Nations World Water Development Report 2024 presents a stark reality: approximately 2.2 billion people worldwide lack access to clean water sources.
Current desalination methods typically rely on pumping seawater through membranes to separate salt from water, but these systems are often energy-intensive and prone to operational issues.
In contrast, the new Waterloo device mimics the natural water cycle, replicating how trees transport water from their roots to their leaves. This biomimetic approach enables continuous desalination with minimal maintenance.
PhD students Eva Wang and Weinan Zhao, key members of the research team, developed the device using nickel foam coated with a conductive polymer and thermoresponsive pollen particles.
The process involves heating a thin layer of seawater on the polymer’s surface. As the water evaporates, it moves upward through capillary action, similar to trees, while salt is drawn to the bottom layer, preventing blockages.
The device converts about 93% of sunlight into usable energy, making it five times more efficient than current desalination technologies, and can produce approximately 20 liters of fresh water per square meter each day.
The portability of the device is crucial for addressing water scarcity in remote and underserved areas, where limited infrastructure makes it difficult to provide clean water.
Beyond providing clean water, the device's ability to harness solar energy and minimize maintenance could significantly reduce both the environmental impact and operational costs of desalination.
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