Graphene Sieve Turns Seawater into Drinking Water

A graphene membrane. Photo: The University of Manchester

Graphene-oxide membranes have attracted considerable attention as promising candidates for new filtration technologies. Now the much sought-after development of making membranes capable of sieving common salts has been achieved.

New research demonstrates the real-world potential (...more...)

Israeli Solar Desalination Process Cuts Energy Costs by 90%

Israeli ​startup ​TSD (Tethys ​Solar ​Desalination)​ plans to ​revolutionize ​the process ​with a low-cost,​ off-grid, ​scalable, and ​environmentally ​friendly module ​technology ​using only the ​power of the ​sun. 

The most ​common method ​of reverse ​osmosis using ​membranes is ​costly, energy-​intensive, high-​maintenance, ​and environmentally ​problematic. It ​is best suited ​to mega-scale ​plants built on ​large tracts of ​high-value land ​near the ocean ​and consumes ​enormous ​amounts of ​electricity ​generated from ​fossil fuels. ​Then, the ​treated water ​has to be piped ​great distances ​to farms, ​industries, and ​households. ​ (more)

New Sodium-Ion Desalination

Sodium-Ion ​Desalination: A ​New Method to ​Remove Salt ​from Water ​Using Battery ​Materials

The ​technology that ​charges ​batteries for ​electronic ​devices could ​provide fresh ​water from ​salty seas, ​says a new ​study by ​University of ​Illinois ​engineers. ​Electricity ​running through ​a salt water-​filled battery ​draws the salt ​ions out of the ​water. ​-more-