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Nature‑inspired upward hanging evaporator with photothermal 3D spacer fabric for zero‑liquid‑discharge desalination

10.17.25 | Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center

Successful fabrication of photothermal 3D polypyrrole polymerized spacer fabric with excellent water transport capability and high solar absorption efficiency.The upward hanging model evaporator with reverse water feeding achieves an optimized solar evaporation rate of 2.81 kg m−2h−1with minimal heat (0.366 W) loss at a 52° tilt.A mangrove leaf-inspired upward hanging model evaporator design separates evaporation and crystallization zones for zero-liquid-discharge desalination. Credit: Ye Peng, Yang Shao, Longqing Zheng, Haoxuan Li, Meifang Zhu, Zhigang Chen.

As global freshwater demand intensifies, conventional desalination faces mounting challenges from brine disposal and energy consumption. Now, researchers from Donghua University, led by Prof. Haoxuan Li and Prof. Meifang Zhu, have developed a mangrove leaf-inspired upward-hanging evaporator using 3D photothermal spacer fabric (PPSF). This novel design achieves zero-liquid-discharge (ZLD) desalination while maintaining high evaporation rates and enabling simultaneous salt recovery.

Why This Matters

Innovative Design

Performance Highlights

This work presents a paradigm shift in solar desalination—integrating biomimetic design, thermal management, and ZLD strategy—for sustainable freshwater and salt co-production.

Nano-Micro Letters

10.1007/s40820-025-01868-0

Experimental study

Nature‑Inspired Upward Hanging Evaporator with Photothermal 3D Spacer Fabric for Zero‑Liquid‑Discharge Desalination

6-Aug-2025

Keywords

Liquids

Article Information

Journal

Nano-Micro Letters

DOI

10.1007/s40820-025-01868-0

Method of Research

Experimental study

Article Publication Date

2025-08-06

Article Title

Nature‑Inspired Upward Hanging Evaporator with Photothermal 3D Spacer Fabric for Zero‑Liquid‑Discharge Desalination

Contact Information

Bowen Li

Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center

qkzx@sjtu.edu.cn

Source

Original Source

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40820-025-01868-0

How to Cite This Article

APA:

Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center. (2025, October 17). Nature‑inspired upward hanging evaporator with photothermal 3D spacer fabric for zero‑liquid‑discharge desalination. Brightsurf News. https://www.brightsurf.com/news/LVDGK2EL/natureinspired-upward-hanging-evaporator-with-photothermal-3d-spacer-fabric-for-zeroliquiddischarge-desalination.html

MLA:

"Nature‑inspired upward hanging evaporator with photothermal 3D spacer fabric for zero‑liquid‑discharge desalination." Brightsurf News, Oct. 17 2025, https://www.brightsurf.com/news/LVDGK2EL/natureinspired-upward-hanging-evaporator-with-photothermal-3d-spacer-fabric-for-zeroliquiddischarge-desalination.html.