University of Waterloo researchers, led by Dr. Michael Tam and Dr. Yuning Li from the Department of Chemical Engineering, have developed an energy-efficient device that uses solar power to desalinate seawater, offering a sustainable solution to global water scarcity. The device mimics the natural water cycle, where water evaporates and condenses, preventing salt accumulation that typically hampers current desalination systems.
Inspired by nature, the team designed a system that heats salt water with solar energy, causing it to evaporate and then condense as fresh water in a closed cycle. This process avoids the maintenance issues common in traditional desalination, which require frequent cleaning due to salt buildup. The device can continuously produce fresh water without interruptions and achieves remarkable efficiency, converting 93% of sunlight into usable energy—five times better than existing technologies.
The device, made of nickel foam coated with a conductive polymer and thermoresponsive pollen particles, can produce up to 20 liters of fresh water per square meter, meeting the World Health Organization's daily requirements for drinking and hygiene. PhD students Eva Wang and Weinan Zhao contributed to the development of the material, which absorbs sunlight across the solar spectrum.
Professor Li aided the team by using a solar tester to enhance the device’s light-harvesting capabilities. The researchers plan to build a prototype for sea-based testing, with hopes that it could help coastal communities and contribute to several UN Sustainable Development goals.
Go to Turning seawater into fresh water through solar power for the full story.
Thursday, September 12, 2024