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Distilling a solution for fracking wastewater

Researchers at University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering have developed a new method to treat hydrofracturing wastewater by leveraging waste heat from drilling sites. The membrane distillation technology reduces the need for fresh water and produces high-quality water suitable for agriculture, industry, and other uses.

Freshwater from salt water using only solar energy

A new desalination system uses solar energy to turn salt water into freshwater, promising a cost-effective and sustainable solution for global water scarcity. The technology combines membrane distillation with light-harvesting nanophotonics to efficiently generate steam from sunlight.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 19, 2017

Getting the salt out

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are exploring a new method to treat high-saline water from hydrofracturing and other processes by utilizing waste heat from thermoelectric plants. The goal is to develop a cost-effective technology that can recover clean water and reduce waste disposal costs.

Method makes refineries more efficient

A new method developed at Purdue University has shown that 70 of the rearranged distillation sequences can improve energy efficiency by 6-48 percent. This could save millions of dollars in energy costs annually for oil refineries, with potential savings reaching $12 million per year.

SourcePurdue University·JournalAIChE Journal·DateDec 21, 2009

Nanofabricated 'gel' separates DNA

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a nanofabricated device that can separate DNA fragments by length in as little as 15-30 minutes, compared to the traditional method which takes 12-24 hours. The device uses alternating deep and shallow sections to propel DNA strands through it, allowing for faster separation and analysis.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience·DateMay 11, 2000

New protein separation technology

Researchers have created a new liquid-phase protein separation technology that can help scientists solve the proteomics puzzle. The system eliminates time-consuming 2-D gel electrophoresis and can detect trace amounts of protein, providing valuable insights into cancer research and other areas of science.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateApr 17, 2000

Electricity from microscopic snowballs

Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics found that molecular clusters break up into positively and negatively charged fragments upon impact with any solid surface. They propose that neutral alkali atoms play a key role in charge separation, leading to the formation of separate ionic fragments.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateAug 4, 1999