Device to filter dirty water into drinking water using sunlight
Test results show that the filtered water meets the drinking water standards of the World Health Organization (WHO).
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Researchers at the University of Texas, USA are developing a device capable of generating clean drinking water from almost any polluted water source or seawater, even water from the Dead Sea. The system uses solar energy combined with light-absorbing hydrogel material to purify water by distillation.Science AlertApril 6 news.
Water distillation and desalination techniques are widely used in the production of fresh water. However, current water distillation technologies such as multi-stage distillation and multi-effect distillation are expensive, energy-intensive, and require sophisticated infrastructure.
According to Fei Zhao, a member of the research team, the new technology uses only solar energy to evaporate water and remove impurities. This method is simpler and more cost-effective. "Solar energy is the most potential and sustainable heat source, it is a great solution for water distillation and desalination," said Zhao.
The solar water purifier is made from hydrogel material with light-absorbing properties. The nano-structure of the hydrogel helps to utilize more solar energy without using optical devices to help concentrate the light, thereby speeding up the evaporation process. HThe water is then treated, condensed into clean water and stored in a tank.
The research team conducted tests on water samples taken from the Dead Sea, which has a salinity of about 34% (10 times the salinity of normal seawater). The filtered water meets the drinking water standards of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
It is estimated that about 1/9 of the world's population today lives without a safe source of drinking water near their home.Solar water purification opens up the opportunity to save tens of thousands of lives each year due to the consequences of using contaminated water.
The study was published in the journalNature NanotechnologyScientists say it takes more time to apply new technology to serve life.
