U.S. scientists have created a new solar-powered system that can turn saltwater into clean drinking water around the clock, even after the sun goes down.
It’s called STREED, short for Solar Thermal Resonant Energy Exchange Desalination, and it can operate without filters, batteries, or external power sources.
The
technology
, developed by researchers at
Rice University
in Texas, targets a growing global crisis:
water scarcity
, as
reported by
Interesting Engineering.
More than 4 billion people face water shortages at least one month out of the year, according to a 2023 study
published in
Science.
STREED could offer an
off-grid
, low-maintenance solution to this massive challenge, helping save lives, improve
public health
, and reduce household
water costs
.
Sunlight heats a saltwater chamber, causing the water to evaporate, and then the vapor moves into a separate channel, where it condenses into clean drinking water, leaving the salt behind.
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What sets STREED apart is how its innovative resonant energy exchange system mimics rhythmic energy transfer to keep water production going even at night.
“We were intentional in using durable, low-maintenance materials to make the system easily scalable and accessible,” Alessandro Alabastri, a Rice University engineering professor and lead author of the
study
, said in a
press release
.
In a field test in San Marcos, Texas, the prototype produced around 25 ounces of clean water per hour.
Simulations in cities such as Portland, Oregon, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, revealed that the system could outperform traditional
desalination
tech
by up to 77% in areas with less sunlight.
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Conventional
desalination
typically relies on high amounts of energy and fragile filters that can clog and pollute.
STREED avoids both pitfalls, offering a cleaner and more affordable alternative, meaning fewer
toxic byproducts
and less waste in our waterways.
By conserving and reusing water resources efficiently, the
tech
supports
rejuvenated ecosystems
, more
stable weather
during droughts, and greater
water availability
for wildlife.
Similar innovations are cropping up globally, such as
sponge-like materials
in Australia that pull water straight from dry desert air.
At home, platforms such as
EnergySage
are helping families take control of their energy use with low-cost
solar panel
options that pair well with sustainable
home upgrades
.
Backed by the
National Science Foundation
and the
U.S. Department of Energy
, STREED is still in its early stages.
But if scaled successfully, it could make a big impact by providing clean water where it’s needed most, making daily living easier and healthier while helping cool down the planet.
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Scientists unveil incredible new technology capable of producing clean water 24/7: ‘Easily scalable and accessible’
first appeared on
The Cool Down
.