A new water purification technology has been developed to remove boron from seawater, a crucial step in turning it into safe drinking water. The innovative approach uses carbon cloth electrodes that capture boron by trapping it inside pores studded with oxygen-containing structures.
The current method of desalination involves adding chemicals to the treated water, which can be costly and ineffective. In contrast, the new technology eliminates these extra steps, reducing chemical and energy demands by up to 15 percent and saving around $6.9 billion annually.
Researchers from the University of Michigan and Rice University have made this breakthrough possible. The study, published in Nature Water, presents a versatile platform that could transform other contaminants into easily removable forms using pH changes.
This innovation has significant implications for addressing the growing global water crisis. With freshwater supplies expected to meet 40% of demand by 2030, finding affordable and sustainable sources of drinking water is crucial. The new technology makes seawater a more viable option, potentially alleviating the shortage of fresh water globally.
Source: https://news.umich.edu/new-water-purification-technology-helps-turn-seawater-into-drinking-water-without-tons-of-chemicals