Bright idea for using sunlight to purify water
SALTY water has been purified through the power of sunlight thanks to breakthrough technology developed by an international research h team led by Monash h University experts.
The pioneering pro- cess means brackish water and seawater can be turned into clear drinking water within 30 minutes.
The team uses a porous metal-organic framework and sunlight to absorb salts and desalinate the liquid.
The method could provide potable water for millions of people worldwide and is cheaper and more energy-efficient than traditional desalination processes.
Lead author Professor Huantin anting Wang (pictured) fr from Monash’s Dep partment of Chemic cal Engineering said th the work opened up a n new direction for desi signing materials for w water purification. “Due to the availability of brackish water and seawater, and because desalination processes are reliable, treated water can be integrated within existing aquatic systems with minimal health risks,” Professor Wang said.