Engineers at MIT and in China are aiming to turn seawater into drinking water with a completely passive device that is inspired by the ocean, and powered by the sun.

In a paper appearing today in the journal Joule, the team outlines the design for a new solar desalination system that takes in saltwater and heats it with natural sunlight.

The researchers estimate that if the system is scaled up to the size of a small suitcase, it could produce about 4 to 6 liters of drinking water per hour and last several years before requiring replacement parts. At this scale and performance, the system could produce drinking water at a rate and price that is cheaper than tap water.

https://www.cell.com/joule/fulltext/S2542-4351(23)00360-4

  • rebelsimile
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    1 year ago

    I think “thirst” and “hunger” predate “profit” as a motive by several hundred million years.

    • Jimbabwe@lemmy.ml
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      1 year ago

      Yeah, Neanderthals were famous for their efficient large-scale manufacturing capabilities

      • rebelsimile
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        1 year ago

        What a fantastic point. You can’t get a lion to chase a gazelle without a credit card these days.