US engineers turn salty seawater into drinking water with new cheap method

Researchers have developed carbon cloth electrodes that efficiently remove boron from seawater, potentially replacing costly chemicals in desalination.

The electrodes remove boron from desalinated water by splitting molecules into ions. Hydroxide ions bind to boron, which adheres to positive electrodes, ensuring safer drinking water production.

The breakthrough, developed by a team of engineers at the University of Michigan (UM) and Rice University, marks a crucial advancement in making seawater safe for drinking.

“Our device reduces the chemical and energy demands of seawater desalination, significantly enhancing environmental sustainability and cutting costs by up to 15 percent, or around 20 cents per cubic meter of treated water,” said Weiyi Pan, a postdoctoral researcher at Rice University and a study co-first author, in a statement.

RTWT @ MSN

Further Reading: Nature Water