Breakthrough solar desalination system produces fresh water without brine waste

University of Rochester researchers built a solar desalination system that makes fresh water while pushing salts out of the evaporation zone.

The femtosecond-laser-textured metal surface absorbs sunlight, wicks seawater, and prevents clogging by keeping the active area clear.

Tests with water from the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans produced solid salt instead of liquid brine.

A related version of the surface can also recover lithium from saltwater, including about half of the lithium from Great Salt Lake samples.