Articles tagged with "desalination"
World’s fastest solar evaporator makes 1 gallon of fresh water an hour
Scientists at Korea’s Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) have developed the world’s fastest oxide-based solar evaporator capable of producing about 1.4 gallons (4.1 liters) of fresh water per hour from seawater without using electricity. This innovation addresses the energy-intensive nature of desalination by harnessing sunlight through a novel photothermal material made from a ternary oxide. By substituting parts of manganese oxide with copper and chromium and employing bandgap engineering, the material absorbs nearly 97% of sunlight across ultraviolet to near-infrared wavelengths, significantly increasing heat generation and surface temperatures up to 176°F (80°C), surpassing previous materials. To tackle the common issue of salt buildup on the evaporator’s surface, the researchers designed an inverted U-shaped device incorporating water-wicking fibers and hydrophobic polyester fabric. This design facilitates continuous water flow and salt ion removal, preventing salt accumulation that typically hampers solar desalination efficiency. The scalable and durable evapor
energysolar-powerdesalinationphotothermal-materialoxide-materialswater-purificationrenewable-energyUS Startup Launches Energy Efficient Desalination System In Nice - CleanTechnica
California-based startup OceanWell has developed an innovative, energy-efficient desalination system designed to reduce the heavy fossil fuel footprint typical of conventional desalination processes. Traditional seawater desalination requires extremely high pressures (800–1,000 psi), consuming significant energy—often 5 to 26 times the theoretical minimum—and accounting for 25% to 40% of water production costs. OceanWell’s solution uses modular underwater “pods” that leverage natural water pressure to reduce energy consumption by up to 40%, while also minimizing environmental harm by protecting marine life and eliminating toxic brine discharge. OceanWell’s technology targets both seawater desalination and freshwater purification, filtering out salts, bacteria, viruses, pesticides, and PFAS. The company secured a pilot project with the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District in California and has received support from a coalition of state water authorities and the US Navy. In November 2024, OceanWell closed an $11 million Series A funding round, including investment and technological collaboration
energydesalinationwater-purificationenergy-efficiencyclean-technologysustainable-water-treatmentOceanWellNorway: World’s first subsea desalination plant set to launch in 2026
Norwegian startup Flocean plans to launch the world’s first commercial-scale subsea desalination plant in 2026 at Mongstad, Norway. By situating the facility 300–600 meters below the ocean surface, the technology leverages natural ocean pressure to drive reverse osmosis desalination, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 30-50% compared to traditional land-based plants. The initial plant, Flocean One, will produce 1,000 cubic meters of fresh water daily, with a modular design allowing rapid scaling up to 50,000 cubic meters per day, potentially serving around 37,500 people each. This subsea approach also lowers capital costs by 7-8 times per unit capacity, requires 95% less coastal land, and minimizes environmental impacts such as toxic brine discharge near sensitive habitats. Flocean’s innovation addresses the global freshwater crisis, where half the world’s population faces severe shortages and demand is expected to outpace supply by 40% by
energydesalinationsubsea-technologywater-treatmentrenewable-energyenvironmental-sustainabilityhydrostatic-pressureChina taps solar tech to extract hypersonic fuel ingredient from sea
Chinese researchers at Northwest A&F University have developed a novel solar-driven technology that simultaneously produces freshwater and extracts boron from seawater, addressing critical challenges in resource security and sustainable desalination. The method employs a specially engineered composite gel called MMS, composed of sodium alginate, MXene (a photothermal nanomaterial), and magnesium oxide (MgO), which captures boron ions while facilitating water evaporation. This gel floats at the air-water interface, using sunlight to heat the MXene layer and drive evaporation, while the MgO component adsorbs boron ions from the seawater. Laboratory tests demonstrated an evaporation rate of 2.14 kg/m²/hour and boron accumulation of 225.52 mg over nine hours, with the gel maintaining over 86% boron adsorption efficiency after seven reuse cycles. Field trials in Hong Kong confirmed the system’s practical potential, producing 5.20 kg of freshwater per square meter and extracting 122.45 mg of boron per square
energysolar-technologydesalinationboron-extractionMXenephotothermal-materialssustainable-energyNew sodium battery promises cleaner energy, drinkable water from sea
Researchers at the University of Surrey have made a significant breakthrough in sodium-ion battery technology by discovering that retaining water within a key material—nanostructured sodium vanadate hydrate (NVOH)—dramatically improves battery performance. Contrary to conventional practice, which removes water due to concerns it might hinder function, the “wet” NVOH showed nearly double the charge capacity of typical sodium-ion cathodes, faster charging, and stability over 400 cycles. This advancement positions sodium-ion batteries as a more efficient, greener, and cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries, which rely on scarcer and more environmentally damaging materials. Beyond enhanced energy storage, the research revealed that these batteries could also perform electrochemical desalination when operating in seawater, removing sodium and chloride ions to produce fresh water. This dual functionality suggests future systems could use abundant seawater as a safe electrolyte while simultaneously generating drinkable water, addressing both energy and freshwater scarcity challenges. The discovery simplifies manufacturing and could accelerate the commercial viability of
energysodium-ion-batteryenergy-storageclean-energydesalinationsustainable-materialsbattery-technologyHERO’s Mission: Engineering "Video Games" Meet Wave Tank - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the latest developments in the HERO Wave Energy Converter (WEC) project led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which aims to advance wave energy technology by combining engineering simulations with physical wave tank testing. Since 2024, the team has been improving the HERO WEC’s design to enhance its robustness, reliability, and deployability. Key upgrades include replacing the original wire rope winch line with a polyurethane flat belt and transitioning from an inflatable raft-like outer body to a more rigid, shell-like frame. This redesign addresses the limitations of the initial compact design, which was constrained by shipping size requirements and suitable only for short deployments, by enabling the device to better withstand harsh ocean conditions for longer periods. The HERO WEC operates by pumping seawater through an onshore reverse osmosis system to produce fresh water, using either hydraulic or electrical configurations. To improve maintenance and survivability, power system components have been relocated to the top of the float. Before finalizing these changes,
energywave-energy-convertersrenewable-energydesalinationNRELsimulationmaterials-engineeringUltrasonic device reduces sea sand salt to 0.04% for construction
The Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology (KIOST) has developed an innovative ultrasonic washing device designed to remove salt from sea sand, addressing a critical challenge in the construction industry. With river sand supplies dwindling due to environmental restrictions and overextraction, sea sand has become a necessary alternative. However, its high salt content poses a risk of corrosion to steel reinforcements in concrete, compromising structural safety. The ultrasonic device uses cavitation-driven washing with ultrasonic waves to efficiently reduce salt levels to 0.04% or below—the maximum recommended by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport—while using significantly less water than traditional methods. This technology offers both practical and economic benefits by accelerating the desalination process and reducing water consumption, making it more sustainable and feasible for large-scale construction needs. The process involves mixing sea sand with water at a 1:2 ratio and applying ultrasonic energy of 300W or higher for three minutes, achieving rapid and precise salt removal even in confined spaces.
materialsultrasonic-technologyconstruction-materialsdesalinationsustainable-constructionsand-washingcorrosion-preventionUndersea Desalination Pods To Solve Water And Energy Woes
The article discusses an innovative solution to the high energy demands of seawater desalination, a process increasingly critical due to climate change and population growth. California startup OceanWell has developed undersea desalination "pods" that leverage the natural pressure found at depths of around 400 meters to reduce energy consumption by approximately 40%. Unlike conventional onshore desalination plants, which require significant energy to pressurize seawater for reverse osmosis, these pods operate underwater, using ambient ocean pressure to drive the process. This approach also offers logistical advantages, such as avoiding the crowded coastal zones where traditional plants face regulatory and environmental hurdles, exemplified by the decades-long, ultimately canceled Huntington Beach onshore project. OceanWell’s pods also address environmental concerns by enabling more effective diffusion of brine waste in the ocean, reducing the need for costly protective measures. The company has progressed from initial development to testing a single pod in an onshore reservoir designed to minimize ecological impacts. Supported by multiple California water districts and with interest
energydesalinationocean-technologywater-treatmentrenewable-energyenvironmental-technologysustainable-infrastructureSun-powered sponge turns saltwater fresh, no electricity needed
Researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University have developed a novel 3D-printed aerogel material that can desalinate seawater using only sunlight, without requiring electricity. This sponge-like aerogel, made from carbon nanotubes and cellulose nanofibers, contains microscopic air pockets and uniform vertical pores about 20 micrometers wide, which efficiently facilitate water evaporation while leaving salt behind. The material’s desalination efficiency remains consistent regardless of its size, making it scalable for larger applications. In practical outdoor tests, the aerogel was placed in seawater under a curved plastic cover, where sunlight heated the material to evaporate water. The vapor condensed on the plastic lid and was collected as fresh water, producing approximately three tablespoons of drinkable water after six hours of natural sunlight. This low-energy, sustainable desalination method offers a promising solution to global water scarcity, especially as conventional desalination plants typically require significant energy input. The research, published in ACS Energy Letters, highlights the potential for scalable, energy
energymaterialsdesalinationaerogelsustainable-technologynanomaterialssolar-energyUpdated Risk Management Framework Supports Success of Marine Energy Devices - CleanTechnica
marine-energywave-energy-converterrisk-managementrenewable-energydesalinationNRELocean-energyHERO’s Mission: An Elevator Part Could Bolster Marine Energy Technologies - CleanTechnica
energymarine-energywave-energy-converterspolyurethane-materialsdesalinationrenewable-energyocean-technologyA New Job For Wave Energy: Water Desalination
wave-energydesalinationrenewable-energyoffshore-technologyenergy-efficiencyclean-waterfossil-fuels