Chinese solar-powered desalination system could deliver water at lower cost than bottled water

Scientists in China have developed a solar-powered desalination system that converts seawater into fresh water without using electricity, according to research details released by the team.

The technology uses a method of weaving nanoparticles into a three-dimensional photothermal evaporation material designed to absorb solar energy and drive the desalination process. Researchers said the material achieved a solar absorption rate of 90.2%, says Wion.

Desalination is widely used to produce fresh water from seawater but typically requires large amounts of energy, contributing to high operating costs and limiting broader adoption in some regions.

The researchers said their system reduced the energy required to evaporate seawater by 45.7% compared with conventional methods. Because the process runs entirely on natural sunlight, it does not require external power sources, potentially lowering ongoing operational expenses associated with electricity use.

In a small trial, the system produced enough fresh water to irrigate 5 square meters of farmland for an entire growth cycle, according to the research team.

The researchers said the technology could offer a lower-cost alternative for areas facing water shortages, particularly regions with limited electrical infrastructure or financial resources for conventional desalination systems.

The team said it expects that, with further development, the cost of producing fresh water using the technology could fall below the price of bottled water within two years.

The available research details focused on the system's performance and efficiency and did not specify the chemical composition of the nanoparticles used in the material.