Natural water cycle inspires solar powered desalination plant

Current desalination systems pump seawater through membranes to separate salt from water, but this process is energy-intensive, and salt often accumulates on the device’s surface, obstructing water flow and reducing efficiency. Consequently, these systems require frequent maintenance and cannot operate continuously.

To solve this problem, researchers at the University of Waterloo drew inspiration from the natural water cycle to create a device that mirrors how trees transport water from roots to leaves. It is claimed the new technology can continuously desalinate water without the need for major maintenance. The team’s study is published in Nature Communications. 

“Our inspiration comes from observing how nature sustains itself and the way water evaporates and condenses in the environment,” Dr. Michael Tam, a professor in Waterloo’s Department of Chemical Engineering, said in a statement. “The system we’ve engineered induces water to evaporate, transports it to the surface, and condenses it in a closed cycle, effectively preventing the accumulation of salt that reduces the efficiency of the device.”