IIT Bombay Develops Dual-Sided Superhydrophobic Graphene Evaporator for Solar Desalination
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | IIT-Bombay scientists developed a Dual-Sided Superhydrophobic Laser-Induced Graphene (DSLIG) evaporator for water desalination. |
| Purpose | Address global freshwater scarcity and improve desalination efficiency. |
| Freshwater Challenge | 3% of Earth's water is freshwater, with less than 0.05% easily accessible. |
| Desalination Byproduct | Brine (concentrated salt) poses disposal challenges, especially in landlocked areas. |
| Solar Desalination | Offers low-carbon solution but faces variability due to sunlight and salt deposition. |
| DSLIG Innovation | Enables dual heating (solar and Joule heating), prevents salt deposition, and is low-cost, non-toxic, and sustainable. |
| Fabrication | Uses PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) and PES (polyether sulfone) polymers, with laser engraving to inscribe graphene. |
| Applications | Suitable for industrial wastewater treatment and brine management, with stackable evaporators for improved performance. |
| Desalination Technology | Reverse osmosis is the most common method, using semi-permeable membranes to remove salts. |
| Plant Locations | Mostly set up in areas with access to seawater. |