Menachem Elimelech, a renowned leader in desalination and water purification, received the Sidney Loeb Award for his pioneering contributions to membrane-based water treatment technologies. His research focuses on developing advanced membranes and energy-efficient processes for desalination and wastewater reuse.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a new membrane that allows water to flow eight times faster while maintaining high salt rejection rates. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and cost-effective desalination systems, lowering costs and increasing access to clean water.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new technique to eliminate fluid flow dead zones in electrodes used for battery-based seawater desalination. The tapered flow channel design improves fluid flow by two to three times, making it more efficient than current reverse osmosis methods.
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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.
Direct seawater electrolysis is not necessary for green hydrogen production, as a simple desalination process can prepare seawater for conventional electrolysers. The development of new types of electrolysers that can operate steadily in seawater would only save the cheap purification step.
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A new system combines pumped hydro storage with reverse osmosis desalination to produce both electricity and freshwater. The Integrated Pumped Hydro Reverse Osmosis System (IPHROS) can supply 661,000 homes' worth of energy and water daily.
Researchers at the University of Bath have created a novel technique that removes salt from seawater without high pressure or substantial electrical power. The process uses a small amount of electrical energy to pull chloride ions through a membrane, gradually drawing in more water molecules.
A recent study identified orthophosphate as a contaminant in some antiscalants that promotes bacterial growth, while HEDP-based antiscalants showed no biofouling effect. The research aims to develop simple low-tech tests for desalination plants to reduce energy consumption and extend membrane lifespan.
A UC Riverside-led study finds nearly half of domestic well water users in the Central Valley live in disadvantaged communities with high manganese contamination rates. The highest concentrations are found in private, untreated well water systems, posing health risks to fetuses and children.
A new solar distillation device, developed by KAUST professors and researchers, can purify brine from seawater with high efficiency. The device produces double the freshwater production rate of existing technology, meeting the drinking needs of two people daily.
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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.
Researchers at Lehigh University have developed an energy-saving desalination process using carbon dioxide, which can reduce water pretreatment required and cost savings. The HIX-Desal technology has shown promising results in reducing salinity of treated wastewater by over 60% without the need for reverse osmosis.
Researchers at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun have developed a new type of membrane using the desert beetle's armor structure, which is both hydrophobic and hydrophilic. The membranes can efficiently separate water from salt and other impurities, with potential applications in desalination and purification.
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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.
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.
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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 team of researchers has revealed the molecular structure of membranes used in reverse osmosis, a leading method of purifying brackish water into drinking water. The study found that the perpendicular packing motif is better correlated with optimal filtration properties and may be related to how water pathways are oriented.
A team of chemical engineers used 3D electron microscopy to study the internal structure of reverse osmosis membranes, finding that the density varies throughout the film and is highest at the surface. This discovery could lead to improved membrane design and water recovery capabilities.
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Researchers at the University of Connecticut developed a new method to produce reverse osmosis membranes with controlled thickness and roughness, leading to improved efficiency and reduced fouling. The ultra-thin membranes exhibit high salt rejection and robust performance under various operating conditions.
Researchers at Shinshu University have developed a new type of membrane that can withstand harsh conditions and is resistant to chlorine degradation. The multi-walled carbon nanotube-polyamide nanocomposite membrane has the potential to revolutionize water desalination, making it more efficient and cost-effective.
A team of researchers from ORNL has successfully demonstrated an energy-efficient desalination technology using a porous graphene membrane. The new method, which uses a one-atom thick graphene sheet with pores as small as 0.5 nanometers, can purify water at an order of magnitude higher rate than traditional methods.
Researchers at TUM developed a new process combining membrane separation processes to reduce energy consumption in powdered milk and whey production. By achieving higher dry matter concentrations, they can cut the energy consumed in subsequent evaporation and drying steps.
Researchers from Ben-Gurion University have received a US-AID MERC grant to develop novel techniques for reducing biofouling on Reverse Osmosis membranes. This project aims to increase access to clean water in the Palestinian Authority and Israel.
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Researchers found that wastewater treatment plants employing reverse osmosis successfully removed more contaminants, including pharmaceuticals and hormones. This process improves the quality of reused water for irrigation and groundwater recharge.