interestingengineering.com Open in urlscan Pro
34.247.170.208 Public Scan

Back to summary

Submitted URL:
https://secure-web.cisco.com/1nA0DXkuATBy8tfkEBj3IWbNCKg4BdeJmpOtxqXqclRf0F3VNGMNma2Ll7Ft2vgLBA09jyDWfDp4PKNnAAjLqyEpm2u9scjS...
Effective URL:
https://interestingengineering.com/4-dollar-desalination-system
Submission: On February 16 via api (February 16th 2022, 1:31:02 pm UTC) from US — Scanned from DE

Form analysis
3 forms found in the DOM

https://interestingengineering.com/s/search

<form id="search" class="header-box" action="https://interestingengineering.com/s/search"> <button class="search-button" type="submit" aria-label="Search"><i class="fa fa-search" aria-hidden="true"></i></button> <input type="search" name="q"
    id="search-input" placeholder="Search"> <input type="hidden" name="sort" value="new"> <button class="search-toggle-button" aria-label="Search Toggle" type="button" name="search-toggle"><i class="fa fa-search" aria-hidden="true"></i></button>
</form>

POST https://interestingengineering.com/subscription?utm_source=article_page_signup_box&utm_medium=email_submit&utm_campaign=Newsletter_article_page_box

<form method="POST" action="https://interestingengineering.com/subscription?utm_source=article_page_signup_box&amp;utm_medium=email_submit&amp;utm_campaign=Newsletter_article_page_box" accept-charset="UTF-8" class="subscription small-box text-center"
  style="width:100%;"><input name="_token" type="hidden" value="djyuF97OgSyYh2jL2g2xDPTIcfLBi0s08gEBFhYb">
  <div class="clearfix">
    <div class="clearfix b-margin-20">
      <h2>GET YOUR DAILY NEWS DIRECTLY IN YOUR INBOX</h2> <span>Stay ahead with the latest science, technology and innovation news, for free:</span>
    </div>
    <div class="clearfix b-margin-10">
      <div class="frm">
        <div class="input-group"> <input class="form-control" placeholder="Enter your email address" name="email" type="email"> </div> <button type="submit" class="btn btn-info">JOIN FREE</button>
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
  <p class="ua-nl">By subscribing, you agree to our <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/terms-of-service" target="_blank">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/privacy-policy" target="_blank">Privacy Policy</a>. You
    may unsubscribe at any time.</p>
</form>

POST https://interestingengineering.com/subscription?utm_source=popup_signup_box&utm_medium=email_submit&utm_campaign=Newsletter_popup_box

<form method="POST" action="https://interestingengineering.com/subscription?utm_source=popup_signup_box&amp;utm_medium=email_submit&amp;utm_campaign=Newsletter_popup_box" accept-charset="UTF-8" class="text-center"><input name="_token" type="hidden"
    value="djyuF97OgSyYh2jL2g2xDPTIcfLBi0s08gEBFhYb"> <label class="input-group"> <input class="form-control no-border" aria-label="Email" placeholder="Enter your email address" name="email" type="email"> </label> <button type="submit"
    class="btn btn-success newsletter-submit no-border popup-sub-btn" name="submitbutton" value="CANCEL" data-push-category="Daily Newsletter Popup">JOIN FREE</button>
  <p class="ua-nl ng">By subscribing, you agree to our <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/terms-of-service" target="_blank">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="https://interestingengineering.com/privacy-policy" target="_blank">Privacy Policy</a>.
    You may unsubscribe at any time.</p>
</form>

Text Content

Interesting Engineering
* Innovation
* Science
* Culture
* Health
* Transportation
* Videos
* DIY

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Innovation

1771607
Advertisement

1. Innovation

A $4 DESALINATION SYSTEM PROVIDES CONTINUOUS CLEAN DRINKING WATER FOR A FAMILY

The new device employs a method that reduces harmful salt buildup.

By Chris Young
Feb 15, 2022 (Updated: Feb 15, 2022 07:23 EST)

The researchers' setup during tests. MIT

A team of scientists developed a new affordable method for solar-powered
desalination that stops the build-up of salt seen in similar devices, a blog
post from MIT reveals.

For the cost of only four dollars, a 10.8 ft2 (1 m2) model of the new device can
provide daily clean drinking water for a family. It's also built using easily
procured everyday materials, meaning the system is scalable and can be deployed
to many people across the globe.

TACKLING THE WORLD'S WATER SHORTAGE PROBLEM

Water scarcity could affect half of the world's population by 2025, according to
UNICEF. In fact, four billion people — almost two-thirds of the world's
population — are already affected by severe water shortages for at least one
month per year.

The researchers from MIT and Shanghai Jiao Tong University developed a solar
desalination device without a wick — a part that typically needs a lot of
cleaning or even replacing due to a buildup of salts. By doing so, they believe
they have built a system that could help to address the world's water shortage
problem with unprecedented efficiency.

PLAY Top Articles Video Settings Full Screen About Connatix V150751 Read More
Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More 20 more terracotta soldiers
uncovered in a pitaround secret tomb of Chinese Emperor 1/1 SkipAd Continue
watching after the ad Visit Advertiser websiteGO TO PAGE

The new device — outlined in a paper published in Nature Communications — is
comprised of several layers that float atop a container of saltwater. Firstly, a
thin layer of material with tiny perforations draws up a sliver of water from
the container and dark material that absorbs heat from sunlight then evaporates
this water, which is condensed and collected as drinkable water. The holes in
the perforated material are just large enough to allow "for a natural convective
circulation between the warmer upper layer of water and the colder reservoir
below," the MIT researchers explain in their statement. In other words, a little
warm salt water remains behind after the process, which is then naturally drawn
into the rest of the cool water below where it becomes diluted.

BRINGING CLEAN WATER TO REMOTE LOCATIONS AND DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS

The researchers explained that the technique is more than 80 percent efficient
at converting solar energy into water vapor with water that has up to 20 percent
concentrations of salt. What's more, after a week of use, no fouling — harmful
salt buildups that could damage or reduce the efficiency of the device — was
detected.

Desalination systems have the potential to bring clean drinking water to areas
that currently suffer from water scarcities. Last year, the world's first
wave-powered desalination system was powered up, and a designer, Henry Glogeau,
won the Lexus Design Award for his desalination light system for remote
locations. The MIT and Shanghai Jiao Tong University also said their system
could be easily and quickly deployed in areas affected by natural disasters,
helping disaster relief efforts worldwide.

GET YOUR DAILY NEWS DIRECTLY IN YOUR INBOX

Stay ahead with the latest science, technology and innovation news, for free:

JOIN FREE

By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may
unsubscribe at any time.

TOP ARTICLES

Will Web 3.0 revolutionize the internet?
NOW PLAYING
UP NEXT
The possibilities of the metaverse are endless
NOW PLAYING
UP NEXT
Can desalination end global water shortages?
NOW PLAYING
UP NEXT
Planes vs cars | How do their autopilots work?
NOW PLAYING
UP NEXT
What happens to electronics in water?
NOW PLAYING
UP NEXT
Artificial Intelligence vs. Humans
NOW PLAYING
UP NEXT
Would geoengineering end climate change or kill Earth?
NOW PLAYING
UP NEXT

Will Web 3.0 revolutionize the internet?

RECOMMENDED

Innovation

7 AUTOMATIC WATERING SYSTEMS FOR HEALTHY GARDENS WITH POTTED PLANTS

Atharva Gosavi
2 months ago
Innovation

A NEW DRONE SYSTEM CAN CLEAN HARD-TO-REACH SOLAR PANELS

Loukia Papadopoulos
2 months ago
Innovation

A VIRGINIA FAMILY GETS KEYS TO THEIR 3D PRINTED HOME IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS

Christopher McFadden
1 month ago
DIY

A NEW DIY LASER-GUIDED DRONE SYSTEM CAN DROP METAL DARTS FOR $1,000

Derya Ozdemir
2 months ago
Advertisement

570

INTERESTING ENGINEERING
* About Us
* Advertise
* Jobs
* Newsletter
* Contact Us

CATEGORIES
* Innovation
* Science
* Culture
* Health
* Transportation

GET YOUR DAILY NEWS DIRECTLY IN YOUR INBOX

JOIN FREE

By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may
unsubscribe at any time.

user-signalWir schätzen Ihre Privatsphäre
Alles ablehnenAlles akzeptieren
Wir und unsere Partner informationen auf einem gerät speichern und/oder abrufen.
Für die Ihnen angezeigten Verarbeitungszwecke können Cookies, Geräte-Kennungen
oder andere Informationen auf Ihrem Gerät gespeichert oder abgerufen werden.
Anzeigen und Inhalte können basierend auf einem Profil personalisiert werden. Es
können Daten hinzugefügt werden, um Anzeigen und Inhalte besser zu
personalisieren. Die Leistung von Anzeigen und Inhalten kann gemessen werden.
Erkenntnisse über die Zielgruppen, die die Anzeigen und Inhalte gesehen haben,
können abgeleitet werden. Ihre Daten können verwendet werden, um bestehende
Systeme und Software zu verbessern und neue Produkte zu entwickeln.

Einige Partner bitten nicht um Ihre Zustimmung zur Verarbeitung Ihrer Daten und
verlassen sich stattdessen auf deren berechtigtes Interesse. Sehen Sie sich
unsere Liste der Partner an, um zu sehen, für welche Zwecke sie ein berechtigtes
Interesse haben und wie Sie dagegen Einwände erheben können.

Ihre Auswahl auf dieser Website wird für diese Website angewendet. Sie können
Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ändern, indem Sie Ihre Einwilligung widerrufen,
indem Sie auf das Schlosssymbol in der unteren rechten oder linken Ecke klicken.