Researcher applies new materials research to making desalination cheaper and more efficient
Tuesday, November 3, 2015 - 08:30
in Physics & Chemistry
With the intensifying drought in California, the state has accelerated the construction of desalination plants. Yet due to high construction and operating costs, as well as environmental concerns, we're not likely to see reclaimed seawater represent more than a small fraction of America's clean water reserves for some time to come. Aside from other costs, the immense amounts of energy required to make clean water from seawater continues to make desalination a niche solution in most parts of the world.