A membrane filters wastewater and runs on its own electricity.
Inspiration, perhaps, for a US research team, which has created a solar panel from black metal to make seawater drinkable without pre-treatment. Key here: special surface treatment of the metal.
Tiny laser-cut grooves make the metal permeable to water without affecting its ability to absorb sunlight. Through the capillary effect, water is drawn onto the metal and the absorbed solar heat converts it to vapour.
This diffuses on the other side while salts and other minerals – such as lithium – are separated, forming deposits away from the metal surface and thus preventing blockages.
Brackish water can be made drinkable, too; while a student’s solution is desalinating ocean water for sea fishermen.
