Articles tagged with Water Desalination
Researchers at CU Boulder have introduced a solution to improving desalination plant performance by observing in real-time membrane fouling using SRS. The technique helps maximize filtration efficiency and reduce energy use, making it crucial for ensuring global access to clean water.
Researchers developed a gravity-driven biochar microreactor from rattan, achieving ultrahigh flux and complete degradation of common pollutants. The system activated peroxymonosulfate through a non-radical pathway, with boundary-like defects as primary active sites.
A new membrane developed by MIT researchers separates different types of fuel based on their molecular size, eliminating the need for energy-intensive distillation. The membrane can efficiently separate heavy and light components from oil, and is resistant to swelling.
A team of scientists has developed a new method for desalination that uses liquid tin to simultaneously purify water and recover valuable metals. The process, powered by concentrated solar energy, can transform desalination brine into a valuable resource.
Arup K. SenGupta, a renowned water scientist at Lehigh University, has been honored with the ASCE Freese Award and Lecture for his pioneering work in ion exchange science and technology. He will present on 'Development and Global Application of Hybrid Ion Exchange Processes' during the 2025 World Environmental & Water Resources Congress.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed new membranes for desalination that can help eliminate brine waste and produce more sustainable freshwater. The membranes are packed with charge and increase conductivity, allowing them to move more salt with less power.
A new carbon cloth electrode technology has been developed to remove boron from seawater, making it safer for drinking. This innovation could save up to $6.9 billion annually by reducing the need for expensive chemicals and energy in desalination plants.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have created an electrochemical strategy to capture, concentrate, and destroy PFAS from water using a single device. The new process combines redox electrodialysis with electrosorption to effectively remove ultra-short-chain PFAS molecules.
A UTEP student has developed an innovative method to desalinate water, which converts over 90% of salt water to fresh water. The new technique, called salt-free electrodialysis metathesis, uses ion exchange membranes and electrical currents to separate salt from water.
The system removes salt from water at a pace that closely follows changes in solar energy, maximizing the utility of solar power. It produces large quantities of clean water despite variations in sunlight throughout the day, making it an attractive solution for communities with limited access to seawater and grid power.
Researchers found that reverse osmosis removed 99% of contaminants, including arsenic and cyanide, meeting environmental standards. This innovative method provides a scalable solution for the mining industry to improve sustainability.
A team of researchers has developed a novel 3D printing technology that creates bioinspired solar steam generators for desalination. The innovative design mimics the structure of trees and achieves high water evaporation efficiency, making it an efficient solution to address global freshwater scarcity.
A new method for desalinating seawater using hydrate-based desalination technology has been developed, offering a low-energy solution for producing freshwater. The research team calculated optimal temperatures for enhanced efficiency, with maximum water yields reaching up to 67% in certain brine concentrations.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University developed a system to assess water quality challenges in Suzhou, China. The study found that the city's water capacity has increased since 2001 due to effective water management measures.
A team of researchers at MIT has discovered a process where light can directly cause evaporation without heat, exceeding the thermal limit. This phenomenon could explain natural phenomena like fog and clouds, and enable new approaches to desalination.
New hybrid membrane technology uses thermosalient organic crystals to effectively remove contaminants from surfaces, increasing water flow by over 43% and extending operational lifetime. This innovation has the potential to make desalination technologies more efficient and environmentally sustainable.
Researchers have created self-assembling protein-mimics that can selectivity transport water across membranes while rejecting salts, offering a potential solution to improve energy efficiency in industrial water purification. The oligourea foldamers are smaller and more stable than existing artificial water channels.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a novel brine treatment technology called electrodialytic crystallization that reduces energy consumption and cost of brine crystallization. The technology uses an electric field to induce salt crystallization without using costly evaporation methods.
Brackish groundwater has the potential to replace fresh water for cooling coal- and natural gas-fired power plants, but treatment can be energy intensive. The study found that retrofitting power plants to use brackish water could nearly eliminate fresh water usage, but increase electricity generation costs by 8-10%.
Researchers at KAUST have developed ultrathin polymer-based ordered membranes that simultaneously exhibit high water flux and high salt rejection. The membranes display excellent performance in both forward and reverse osmosis configurations, surpassing those containing advanced materials like carbon nanotubes and graphene.
Researchers discover alfalfa plants can enrich Martian soil with nutrients, allowing for plant growth. Meanwhile, marine cyanobacteria effectively remove excess salt from water, enabling the production of fresh water and a foundation for future food cultivation.
A new nanosheet-laminated photocatalytic membrane has been successfully developed by Kobe University researchers, demonstrating excellent water permeance and photocatalytic activity. The membrane's photocatalytic properties make it easier to clean, reducing fouling and increasing its potential for tackling global environmental issues.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have created a fast and efficient method for purifying saltwater using fluorine-based nanostructures. The new technology outperforms existing desalination methods, requiring less pressure, energy, and time to produce clean water.
Researchers developed a portable desalination unit weighing less than 10kg that removes particles and salts to generate clean drinking water. The device uses ion concentration polarization and electrodialysis processes, requiring minimal energy and maintenance.
The Bureau of Reclamation is providing $5.6 million in funding to 15 projects focused on improving desalination and water purification technologies. These advancements aim to expand access to otherwise unusable water resources, addressing the climate crisis and meeting Western communities' needs for a new source of water.
Researchers at MIT and China developed a desalination system that is both more efficient and less expensive than previous methods. The system uses natural convection to draw salt from the water, eliminating the need for wicks or power sources.
The Bureau of Reclamation has invested $1.6 million in nine innovative desalination technologies aiming to make water treatment more affordable and sustainable. The projects focus on reducing energy requirements and environmental impacts, providing communities with a new source of usable water.
A team of Korean researchers has successfully extracted high-quality magnesium sulphate, without calcium impurities, from seawater desalination brine using a novel ethanol-based process. The process achieved up to 67% magnesium recovery efficiency and has potential applications in the pharmaceutical and food industry.
Researchers from Technion, Wageningen University and Wetsus have developed an effective method to remove toxic boron from desalinated water while reducing costs. The new technique uses capacitive deionization and found optimal conditions for boron removal, including the placement of electrodes in a specific order.
Researchers identify commercialized Membrane Distillation as a green solution for clean, drinkable water. The technique overcomes Reverse Osmosis limitations and provides safe drinking water while managing brines, keeping the environment safe.
A new technology developed at KAUST uses waste heat from solar cells to desalinate seawater, improving efficiency by up to 8% while reducing solar cell temperature. The device features a gravity-driven system and a special fabric that wicks away solid salts and minerals.
A 2 MWel power plant will be built in Saudi Arabia, combining CSP and desalination techniques to achieve unprecedented efficiencies. The DESOLINATION project aims to provide low-cost renewable electricity and fresh water for the GCC region.
Five teams have been selected to share $125,000 for developing solutions to reduce byproducts and generate more freshwater from inland desalination plants. The winning teams will receive additional funding and testing opportunities to advance their prototype.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a technology to harvest water 24/7 with no energy input, using specially coated glass and a radiation shield. The device can produce up to twice as much water as current passive technologies, with potential for large-scale integration.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that water generated from air in urban areas complies with drinking water standards. The study showed that wind direction affects water quality and identified distant sources of air pollution in the water.
Researchers developed a synthetic tree to enhance solar steam generation, which can turn solar energy into heat to harvest drinking water. The tree overcomes the limit in capillary force by mimicking transpiration, allowing for increased efficiency and scalability.
Researchers at the University of Manchester developed graphene-based nanochannels that significantly reduce water friction, leading to enhanced permeation and efficiency in membrane processes. This breakthrough has potential applications in desalination, energy storage, and wastewater treatment.
The Agriculture Sector Technology Roadmap addresses treating and reusing water in agricultural applications, such as irrigation and meat processing. The roadmap identifies various areas of opportunity for using non-traditional water, including recycling drainage from crop fields.
An international team of researchers has developed a way to replicate a natural process that moves water between cells, mimicking the functions of aquaporins in our bodies. The new channels can carry water faster than current membranes while excluding protons and unwanted molecules.
A new desalination process removes nearly 100% of toxic metals, producing clean water while capturing valuable metals. An infant-warming device reduces neonatal mortality rates by threefold in Rwanda, proving safe and effective without electricity.
Researchers in China have created a highly efficient desalination device powered by solar energy that can remove salt from seawater, producing freshwater. The device uses a titanium-containing layer and special paper to absorb sunlight and condense water vapor.
A new desalination technique using polymer membranes with absorbent nanoparticles simplifies the removal of toxic metals during the process. The technology can remove nearly 100% of toxic metals, including mercury and arsenic, producing clean water along with a pure brine.
A new study predicts that Jordan's water crisis will worsen unless measures are taken to increase supply, slash demand, and reform distribution. The country's unique role as a bastion of peace in the region makes these findings particularly concerning.
The Bureau of Reclamation is awarding $3.6 million to 10 projects focused on advanced water treatment research and development, aiming to make desalination more affordable and increase water supplies nationwide. The funding supports President Biden's Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.
A public-private partnership in Monterey/Salinas has developed a novel water recycling program using urban stormwater runoff, irrigation drainage, food processing water, and traditional municipal wastewater. The recycled water supplies one-third of all drinking water on the Monterey Peninsula while providing irrigation water for high-v...
Researchers developed a framework to evaluate climate change adaptations for water and energy systems, finding that conserving water can alleviate electricity grid stress. The study applied this framework to California, highlighting two possible adaptation pathways: one energy-intensive and another that saves both water and energy.
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and Penn State have developed a new understanding of desalination membranes, which can clean more water while using significantly less energy. The breakthrough could lead to increased access to clean water and lower water bills for individual homes and large users alike.
Desalination membranes' density distribution at the nanoscale is crucial for performance. Thinner membranes with consistent density improve water filtration, contrary to previous thought that thickness matters more. This breakthrough could lead to 30-40% efficiency increase and cost savings.
Scientists have observed the transformation between two liquid states of water at extremely low temperatures and pressures. This breakthrough discovery sheds light on water's unusual behavior and has significant implications for various fields, including biology and desalination.
A Purdue University team has been named a quarterfinalist in the US Department of Energy's Solar Desalination Prize for their innovative technology to purify high salinity water using solar power. The NoAir system aims to use high-temperature solar heat and hybrid desalination technologies to produce clean water from saltwater.
A removable, nontoxic coating has been developed to clean desalination membranes, providing a safer alternative to harmful chemicals. The coating remains stable in salty water and can be easily removed and replaced, increasing membrane efficiency by up to two-fold.
Researchers have developed a hybrid membrane that combines artificial water channels with a polyamide matrix, resulting in higher flow rates and reduced energy needs for seawater desalination. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and cost-effective desalination processes on an industrial scale.
Researchers create a thin coating of hexagonal boron nitride to improve efficiency in desalination technology. The coating allows for exponential improvements in freshwater production, making it a key ingredient in a cost-effective solution for treating hypersaline water.
Researchers at MIT have developed a more practical and efficient solar-powered system that can extract drinkable water from dry air, doubling its output compared to an earlier version. The new system uses a readily available adsorbent material, increasing scalability and feasibility for remote regions with limited access to water.
A global research team has developed a new adsorbent-based desalination process that uses sunlight to regenerate metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), producing clean drinking water in under 30 minutes. The technology filters harmful particles and achieves a TDS of <500 ppm, making it suitable for millions of people globally.
Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory are utilizing X-ray synchrotrons to better understand the properties of materials involved in purifying salty or contaminated water. This fine-scale understanding can lead to the design of new materials for desalination and mitigation of fouling, addressing a pressing global issue.
A new laser-based method can evaporate and purify contaminated water with over 100% efficiency, reducing contaminants to safe levels for drinking. The technology uses sunlight to heat water, eliminating microbial pathogens and heavy metals, and is easy to clean and aim.
Researchers apply temperature swing solvent extraction technique to attain energy-efficient ZLD, a major advance for global water management. The process extracts water from high-salinity brines without boiling, using low-polarity solvent and moderate temperatures.
California cities can rely on six key strategies to provide for growing populations: conserving water through behavioral changes, reusing non-potable water for irrigation, recycling water for drinking, capturing stormwater runoff, and desalinating seawater. These measures can help reduce costs while increasing the state's water supply.
Researchers have developed a material that can desalinate water up to 40 times faster than other materials, using electrostatic forces to attract salt ions. The porous carbon fibers have high surface areas and electrical conductivity, making them suitable for applications such as batteries and cars.