Using solar energy, a new hybrid device makes it possible to generate both drinking water and green hydrogen from seawater — a breakthrough researchers describe as a “dual-effect” technology.
A team from Johns Hopkins University, Michigan State University, Cornell University, Lehigh University, and MIT has developed an innovative system that could tackle two of humanity’s most pressing challenges at once: the shortage of freshwater and the urgent need for clean fuel.
The researchers designed a hybrid device that combines solar distillation with seawater electrolysis. Solar panels simultaneously generate electricity for electrolysis and heat the seawater. During evaporation, salts and impurities are left behind, while pure water vapor enters the electrolyzer, where it is split into green hydrogen and oxygen. Freshwater is obtained as a byproduct.
The key advantage of this technology is that seawater never comes into direct contact with the electrocatalyst, preventing corrosion and improving both the efficiency and durability of the system.
According to the scientists, this method could provide freshwater to arid regions while at the same time producing environmentally friendly hydrogen for energy.
