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Related: About this forumLaser-sculpted aluminium purifies water with the power of sunlight
TECHNOLOGY 13 July 2020
By Donna Lu
An artists impression of the water-purifying panel
H.M. Cao at University of Rochester
A black panel of aluminium crafted by lasers can purify water when heated by sunlight. It could eventually be used in drought-stricken areas or regions where clean drinking water isnt readily available.
Chunlei Guo at the University of Rochester in New York and his colleagues made the panel using short-pulse lasers to alter the surface of a 3-centimetre square aluminium sheet. They created rows of tube-like microscopic grooves on the metal and even smaller nanoscale bumps.
The resulting sheet is both black in appearance and attracts water. If I put a sample [of the aluminium] vertically and put a drop of water on the bottom of the sample, the water will flow uphill against gravity, says Guo.
When one end of the panel is placed in dirty water, it draws a thin layer of water upwards, which evaporates in the sun, purifying it. By placing the panel inside a glass box, the team collected the evaporated water for use, separating it from the dirty water with a layer of insulation.
More:
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2248683-laser-sculpted-aluminium-purifies-water-with-the-power-of-sunlight/
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Laser-sculpted aluminium purifies water with the power of sunlight (Original Post)
Judi Lynn
Jul 2020
OP
Not unless they can improve the amount that is purified but I agree that it does have potential.
cstanleytech
Jul 2020
#3
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,833 posts)1. Damn, that is sooo clever!
We humans, when we're not destroying each other or our planet, can be loving and resourceful, like this.
Wow.
Duppers
(28,134 posts)2. Impressive!
Holy cats! This innovation could help millions of people around the world.
cstanleytech
(26,364 posts)3. Not unless they can improve the amount that is purified but I agree that it does have potential.