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The science of sweating still holds surprises

Researchers at Arizona State University have discovered an overlooked physical process that significantly impacts sweat's cooling effect in hot, dry environments. The study found that temperature and humidity can create an opposing upward flow near the skin, canceling out airflow and increasing body heat storage.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2026

Biochar-powered hydrogels boost solar water evaporation efficiency for sustainable desalination

Researchers developed a hybrid material combining biochar with polyzwitterionic hydrogel, achieving an evaporation rate of 3.57 kg/m²/h under standard sunlight conditions. The biochar enhances light absorption, water transport, and energy efficiency, making it suitable for seawater desalination applications.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 27, 2026

Measuring the breath of the Amazon River

Researchers are using satellite data to measure the Amazon River's water loss through evaporation. This study will create a first-ever basin-wide record of evaporation across the Amazon River, covering 40 years. The findings have significant implications for global environmental sustainability and addressing real-world issues.

Pickering emulsion‑driven MXene/silk fibroin hydrogels with programmable functional networks for EMI shielding and solar evaporation

Researchers developed Pickering emulsion-derived MXene/silk fibroin hydrogels with programmable hierarchical structures, delivering exceptional EMI shielding and solar evaporation performance. The synergistic effects of amphiphilic silk fibroin and MXene nanosheets enable precise control over hydrogel microstructures.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2025

Anisotropic hygroscopic hydrogels for high-power, self-sustained passive daytime cooling

Researchers have developed an innovative ASPIRE cooler that leverages a dual-alignment structure within a hygroscopic hydrogel to achieve high-power passive daytime cooling. The study reveals the potential for this technology to enable sustainable cooling solutions for various applications.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 29, 2025

Why the sun is so good at evaporating water

Researchers discovered that sunlight's oscillating electric field plays a crucial role in enhancing interfacial water evaporation. The stronger the electric field, the faster water evaporates. This finding has implications for engineering more efficient water-evaporation technologies.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalMaterials Horizons·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 24, 2025

New cooling technology raises power and longevity of solar panels

Researchers developed a composite material that enhances solar cell performance, raising power output and lifespan while reducing heat absorption and electricity consumption. The passive cooling technology, tested in various environments, showed excellent results with increased power output by 12.9% and lifespan by over 200%.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalMaterials Science and Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 28, 2025

From research to real-world, Princeton startup tackles soaring demand for lithium and other critical minerals

A new Princeton startup has developed a technology to boost minerals production from evaporation ponds, doubling the efficiency of lithium and nitrate extraction. The innovation uses a black disc with an anti-fouling coating to accelerate evaporation rates, alleviating the need for large-scale construction of new ponds.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Water·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2025

Fans ineffective in heat waves

A recent study found that electric fans provide little cooling relief for older adults indoors during extreme heat due to their limited sweat production. Dr. Fergus O'Connor from Griffith University suggests using air conditioning at a higher temperature in conjunction with a fan to provide effective cooling and reduce operating costs.

SourceGriffith University·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateJan 30, 2025

Chung-Ang University achieves dual-purpose breakthrough: Turning water into electricity while detecting fires

Researchers at Chung-Ang University have developed a novel hydrovoltaic device that can produce up to a few tens of microwatts and responds quickly to evaporation-driven changes in water flow, making it suitable for fire detection. The device also exhibits excellent stability over extended periods.

SourceChung Ang University·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 22, 2025

Billions of people to benefit from technology breakthrough that ensures freshwater for the world

Researchers from UniSA have developed a simple strategy to increase seawater evaporation rates, making desalination more energy-efficient and sustainable. By introducing clay minerals into a photothermal hydrogel evaporator, they achieved a 18.8% higher evaporation rate for seawater compared to pure water.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 3, 2024

Hypersaline brine produced by fracking has left us in a pickle. A new process developed by Lehigh University researchers could help dry it up.

A new process developed by Lehigh University researchers uses evaporative ion exchange (EIX) to concentrate hypersaline brine at room temperature, avoiding scaling and fouling. The process has shown promising results in concentrating salts from hypersaline water, with the potential for widespread use.

SourceLehigh University·JournalNature Water·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 10, 2024

Why isn't Colorado's snowpack ending up in the Colorado River? New research suggests the problem might be the lack of spring rainfall

A recent study by University of Washington researchers found that warmer, drier springs account for almost 70% of the discrepancy between predicted and actual streamflow in Colorado. The team's findings suggest that plants rely more on snowmelt during dry springs, leaving less water to flow into nearby streams.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 16, 2024

New collaborative research generates lessons for more adaptive lake management

A new study by Utah State University explores the potential of collaborative modeling to improve reservoir operations and adapt to variable inflow and declining storage. The research involved 26 Colorado River Basin managers and experts who used Google Sheets during video calls to discuss consuming, banking, and trading water.

SourceUtah State University·JournalJournal of Water Resources Planning and Management·TypeObservational study·DateJul 30, 2024

Research to uncover the impact of water use in the Colorado River Basin

A new study by Virginia Tech researchers reveals that agricultural demand for water is significantly higher than cities, with crops used for feeding cattle being the largest consumers. The researchers also found that reservoir levels are dropping due to overuse and climate change, highlighting the need for efficient water use strategies.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 28, 2024

Drought in the Cerrado (Neotropical savanna) is the worst for at least seven centuries, study shows

A study published in Nature Communications reveals that the Cerrado biome in Brazil is experiencing its worst drought in at least 700 years, caused by global warming. The research used chemical analysis of stalagmites to extend the perception of drought back seven centuries and linked it to disruption in the hydrological cycle.

How light can vaporize water without the need for heat

MIT researchers demonstrate that light can break water molecules away from the surface and float them into the air, causing evaporation in the absence of heat. This phenomenon has significant implications for understanding cloud formation and precipitation, as well as designing new industrial processes such as solar-powered desalination.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 24, 2024

Nanodevices can produce energy from evaporating tap or seawater

EPFL researchers have discovered that nanoscale devices harnessing the hydroelectric effect can harvest electricity from the evaporation of fluids with higher ion concentrations than purified water. This breakthrough reveals a wide range of applications for hydrovoltaic devices, including powering sensors and generating clean water.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalDevice·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 6, 2024

Floating sea farms: A solution to feed the world and ensure fresh water by 2050

Researchers from the University of South Australia have designed a self-sustaining solar-driven system that evaporates seawater to recycle it into freshwater, growing crops without human involvement. The vertical floating sea farm has several advantages over other designs, including low energy consumption and high food production.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2023

Pusan National University researchers uncover causes for increased compound droughts & heatwaves in East Asia

Researchers from Pusan National University studied compound extreme weather events in northern East Asia and found that a lack of soil moisture led to increased evaporative stress, amplifying heatwaves and triggering compound droughts and heatwaves. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for societal safety.

SourcePusan National University·Journalnpj Climate and Atmospheric Science·TypeObservational study·DateMar 7, 2023