MIT's Desalination Device Turns Seawater Into Drinking Water With A Push Of A Button
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Water scarcity is one of the world's biggest challenges. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one in three people globally do not have easy access to clean water. Desalinating ocean water could help. But the currently-available devices are too energy-intensive and expensive to deploy on a large scale. Now, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) researchers have developed a portable desalination machine that is both affordable and sustainable.
Unlike conventional portable desalination units that need replaceable filters, the MIT machine uses electricity to remove the salt and other particles from the ocean water. More importantly, the suitcase-sized device needs less power to operate than a cell phone charger. It can also be powered by a small, portable solar panel that costs less than $50. The lack of filters and the low electricity requirements makes the machine extremely cheap to operate.
The researchers assert that their invention can deliver drinking water exceeding WHO quality standards with a push of a button. A smartphone app allows the user to control the unit wirelessly and receive real-time data on power consumption and water salinity. It also sends out a notification when the water is drinkable.
“Even a kindergarten student can carry and use the desalination unit,” says Junghyo Yoon, co-author of the study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology on April 14, 2022. “Ease of use was one of the main motivations of creating the device.”
The MIT team is now exploring ways to bring their portable machine to market. They believe it will benefit residents of small islands or those fleeing natural disasters. It could also be very useful for sailors on cargo ships and soldiers on long-term military operations.
Resources: news.mit.edu
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41 Comments
adroit_avimimus7 monthsThis is so amazing! Now everyone can have water!
baby_yoda1248 monthsWater is important. :)
wolf_lover2348 monthsOMG #SoCool Now there can be clean drinking water for everyone
theatredude8 months#WaterforEveryone
iheartpuppies8 monthsSo cool! I love this process, and knew people were trying to make it happen but I never knew they did it! This could mean so much for people surrounded by saltwater!- blakeandbrandon8 monthsi love it
- blakeandbrandon8 monthsI love it so much i want it so i can have free water and also give it to the homeless
angelachang8 monthsBrilliant
savagepartygir8 monthsWow that’s cool but when I drink sea water and ocean water I get sea sick- angelachang7 monthsThat’s probably because the seawater you drank contained salt, which made you seasick, or maybe it contained bacteria which can make you sick.
wolfdog8 monthsThis is literally genius, THIS is the thing we should be talking about more often. Hopefully, it will become readily accessible in the regions that need it the most.
sim1claxton8 monthsI agree!! I think it will be life changing to those who need it most. #cleanwaterforall