One of the biggest paradoxes is the image of a thirsty castaway drifting through an endless expanse of ocean water. Fortunately, harnessing these vast reservoirs has been technically feasible for many years. A group of young researchers from the energy department at the Polytechnic University of Turin in Italy have taken a small step towards bringing us closer to that reality.Like many of the latest innovationtheir solution is bio-inspired technologythis time drawing from the capacity of the roots of the plant.
In the plant kingdom, it is well known that water is absorbed through the roots without the need for mechanical pumps. can.of New desalination equipment Uses low-cost porous material without a water pump. You have to float on water to absorb it. The absorbed water is then warmed by sunlight and evaporated to purify it. The device is also equipped with a membrane that separates saline and fresh water.According to its inventor, it is “passive” technology Due to its simple mechanics and use of solar power, it requires little human maintenance and no external power supply.
A major problem with current passive systems is that they have not been power efficient in the past.To overcome that obstacle, this technology project focuses on “recycling” the excess heat resulting from each evaporation cycle. The result is a desalination system capable of producing up to 20 liters of water per square meter per day.
To develop the solution, they spent two years in testing. Desalination prototype In the Ligurian Sea until the best model is found. Now they are looking for an industrial partner willing to expand the project and develop a more durable version.this technical invention This is undoubtedly good news for coastal areas that do not have access to the resources needed for freshwater or complex desalination plants. It is a system that can be a strong ally for tsunami-affected areas.
floating orchard
desalinationHowever, it is not the only application for this new system. Based on a floating platform, it can be used for completely different purposes, such as growing crops in coastal areas. One day we may have a floating orchard with artificial roots irrigated with salt water. This is especially useful in desert areas where sufficient soil and fresh water are scarce. Future tomatoes and lettuce may grow in the sea.
sauce: science daily
