Low-Cost, Highly Efficient Solar-Powered Desalination for Safe Drinking Water
28th April 2021
In AIP Advances, by AIP Publishing, scientists in China report the development of a highly efficient desalination device powered by solar energy. The device consists of a titanium-containing layer, TiNO, or titanium nitride oxide, capable of absorbing solar energy. The TiNO is deposited on a special type of paper and foam that allows the solar absorber to float on seawater.
When sunlight strikes the titanium layer, it heats rapidly and vaporizes the water. By placing the unit in a transparent container with a sloped quartz roof, the water vapor can be condensed and collected, producing a copious amount of freshwater.
Perhaps California ought to invest is some desalination plants rather than sucking up all of the water in the Colorado River. (Drought-hit California moves to halt Nestlé from taking millions of gallons of water)