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Highlight:
- Innovative Water Desalination Technology: A new floating solar still, developed by Dr. Matthew Margeson at Dalhousie University, uses solar energy and plasmonic materials to desalinate seawater, providing clean drinking water in remote areas.
- Sustainable Materials for Cost-Effective Solution: The device utilizes inexpensive, recycled materials like used car tyres, which are converted into pyrolytic char, making the technology both environmentally friendly and affordable.
- Potential for Global Impact: This portable, solar-powered desalination system could become a crucial resource for communities affected by climate change, war, or resource scarcity, offering a sustainable water solution.
The ocean covers 70% of the Earth's surface and holds 97% of its water, yet the vast majority of it is undrinkable. A breakthrough technology developed by Dr. Matthew Margeson at Dalhousie University’s Dasog Lab in Canada may change this, providing a solution for accessible, clean drinking water in remote and developing regions.
This floating solar still uses a unique passive solar desalination method that harnesses the sun's energy to turn seawater into fresh water. The device works by pulling seawater onto a foam surface, where solar-heated plasmonic materials evaporate the water. The resulting vapor condenses on a clear plastic dome and is funneled into a sealed bag, leaving the salt behind.
The plasmonic materials employed in the system are designed to capture light and convert it into heat, enabling the desalination process. While plasmonic materials like gold and silver are typically used in such applications, Dr. Margeson’s innovation utilizes a more affordable alternative made from carbon waste.
Through a pyrolytic process, waste materials such as coffee grounds, lobster shells, and birch wood residue are heated in the absence of oxygen to create a thin layer of pyrolytic char. This layer is then applied to the surface of the desalination device, improving heat retention and protecting the device from corrosion caused by seawater. The team’s research found that used car tyres performed the best, offering an environmentally responsible solution to the global issue of tyre waste.
Although the device is still in the testing phase, the research team plans to conduct a field experiment in South Asia to further assess its effectiveness. With hopes for future commercialization, the team believes this technology could be transformative for communities displaced by war, climate change, or a lack of resources. The goal is to provide a portable, low-cost solution to one of the world’s most basic needs—clean drinking water.
