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In a global context where access to fresh water becomes a major challenge, a promising innovation could change the situation. A material similar to a rigid sponge, developed by researchers from the Polytechnic University of Hong Kong, uses the simple power of the sun to transform sea water into drinking water. This discovery could potentially revolutionize the desalination of water, offering a sustainable solution and accessible to hundreds of millions of people in need. Let us explore this fascinating technological advance and its implications.
The global freshwater challenge
The earth, often nicknamed the blue planet, is covered with 70 % water. However, an overwhelming majority of this water is salty, making its direct consumption impossible. While the world’s population continues to grow and droughts become more frequent, fresh water reserves are dangerously. Seawater desalination is an essential technology To meet growing water needs.
Traditional desalination factories, although effective, have several drawbacks. They consume a lot of energy, are expensive to build and maintain, and generate environmental waste, especially in the form of brine. These factors highlight the urgency of developing more ecological desalination techniques and energy efficient. A recent innovation may well be the long -awaited solution.
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A rigid sponge… fueled by the sun
The breakthrough comes from a team led by XI Shen, who designed a innovative material : a black, rigid aerogel, imitating the appearance of a solid sponge. This material does not require any electricity to operate, contenting itself with capturing natural sunlight to make its magic. The heart of the process lies in its unique internal structure.
Unlike conventional sponges, this aerogel is crossed by a multitude of microscopic vertical pores. These tiny channels allow water vapor to move quickly to the surface to evaporate. Composed of carbon nanotubes and cellulose nanofibers, the material is printed in 3D, forming a homogeneous structure capable of transforming salt water into effortless water.
This miracle sponge purifies sea water thanks to the sun: a major advance for access to fresh water all over earth
How does it work, concretely?
The process is remarkably simple. The researchers place a piece of aerogel on a container containing sea water, covering the whole of a transparent plastic cover. When the sun strikes, the aerogel heats up, absorbing water by capillarity. The water is then heated, transformed into steam, leaving the salt behind it.
This vapor rises Until plastic cover, condensing in droplets that fall into a funnel connected to a collecting container. Thus, without pump, filter or battery, only sunlight is necessary to produce clean and potable water. This minimalist approach could have considerable implications for regions in water shortage.
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Scalable technology
One of the great advantages of this technology lies in its scalability. During the tests, whether a small square of a centimeter or a piece of eight centimeters, the evaporation yield remained constant. This indicates that this material can be enlarged or multiplied to meet more substantial needs.
After six hours of sun exposure, the prototype produced about three tablespoons of drinking water. Although this quantity seems modest on a domestic scale, it proves that the concept works and can be industrialized at a lower cost. Imagine a future where several modules could be connected to provide water to whole villages.
Hope for regions in water crisis
Currently, more than 300 million people in 150 countries depend on desalination to provide for their water needs. However, many do not have access to modern infrastructure. The material developed by researchers could change this, offering a viable solution for distant areas, refugee camps and emergency situations.
Neither requiring complex or electricity infrastructure, this innovation could become an invaluable resource in a world in the grip of climate change and water stress. Simple and effective solutions like this could make the difference For millions of people. But that raises a crucial question: how are we going to integrate these solutions into our existing systems to maximize their impact?
This article is based on verified sources and the assistance of editorial technologies.
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