New Solar-Powered Device Purifies and Desalinates Water

Researchers from Zhejiang Ocean University in China have developed an efficient and cost-effective way of removing salt from seawater and organic pollutants from industrial and domestic wastewater.

Called CCMs-x, this new device made with organic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposites uses solar vaporization technology to turn contaminated water into clean water. It removes 95 percent of pollutants in less than an hour.

The team achieves this by placing photothermal materials near an evaporation surface. This setup enables the concentrated heat to create steam much faster. In turn, the steam efficiently removes the impurities from the water.

“This device features a specialized sponge with numerous channels for efficient water flow, along with advanced materials like [silicon dioxide] and [cobalt oxide] to maintain a slippery surface and break down pollutants,” said Yingtang Zhou, one of the scientists who worked on the project.

In their study, the team shared several benefits of using the CCMs-x device, including lower operational and installation costs, easier transport to remote areas, and salt and bacterial contamination resistance.

Read the full article here to learn more about the new solar evaporation device and how it can be instrumental in bringing clean water to remote and disadvantaged communities.

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