Singapore is facing an issue with its organic waste, generating twenty thousand tons of fruit waste annually, mainly from the juice industry. The circular economy emphasizes turning waste into a resource. Edison Ang, a young researcher at the University of Singapore, identified an opportunity to repurpose mango peelings and banana skins, which were previously discarded as compost or in landfills. His innovation, MXeno, a nanomaterial, has been utilized in solar desalination plants through passive evaporation.
What is MXene?
MXene is a unique material that has gained attention for its properties and potential applications. It is a thin, few atoms thick material that combines transition metals and carbon. MXene’s structure consists of layers, offering high conductivity, flexibility, and strength.
With exceptional conductivity, MXene is suitable for energy storage devices, flexible electronics, sensors, biomedical applications, and, as explored in this article, solar stills.
A MXene-based solar still
MXene’s ability to convert sunlight into heat accelerates water evaporation, increasing the efficiency of solar radiation. Ang’s team developed a cost-effective process using fruit residues to create MXene-based solar absorbers, surpassing existing commercial options in efficiency.
This approach produces water meeting World Health Organization standards, suitable for consumption, making it ideal for remote areas lacking potable water sources or regions affected by disasters. It harnesses renewable energy sustainably.
Other types of solar desalination technologies
While reverse osmosis is common in large-scale desalination, passive solar desalination plants offer solutions for small consumers and emergencies. Various innovative designs, like using hydrogels, materials from MIT, and a portable desalinator from the University of Texas, demonstrate the potential of solar desalination technologies.
Additionally, PV-powered desalination plants, like the one in Kenya, show how solar energy can be utilized for providing drinking water. To stay updated on desalination technologies and scientific advancements, subscribe to our newsletter.
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