A research team from UNIST has unveiled a cutting-edge solar desalination system that transforms seawater into fresh drinking water using only sunlight—without relying on external electricity. This innovation offers a sustainable and scalable solution for regions facing water scarcity.
At the heart of the system is a perovskite-based material, La₀.₇Sr₀.₃MnO₃ (LSMO), which efficiently converts solar energy into heat. This material enhances evaporation by forming intra-band trap states that boost thermalization, resulting in a remarkable evaporation rate of 3.4 kg/m²/h—nearly ten times higher than conventional methods.
To tackle the common issue of salt buildup, the team designed a unique inverse-L shaped paper structure. This design allows seawater to wick upward naturally, where it meets the heated surface and evaporates. Salt ions are pushed to the edges, crystallizing away from the active area, which prevents fouling and allows for easy salt collection and reuse.
Durability tests showed the system could operate continuously for two weeks in highly saline conditions (up to 20% salt content), far exceeding typical seawater salinity. The device’s passive operation and high efficiency make it especially promising for deployment in developing countries and remote areas.
Professor Ji-Hyun Jang, who led the project, emphasized the potential of this technology to address global water challenges:
“By combining smart design with advanced materials, we’ve created a cost-effective, electricity-free solution for freshwater production.”
The research was published in Advanced Energy Materials and supported by the Engineering Research Center for Microplastic through Bio/Chemical Engineering Convergence Process.
(Source: Mirage News)