Technology that uses light-absorbing nanoparticles to convert solar energy directly into steam and then drinking water is already coming to life, check it out!

Research into new panels powered by solar energy that transform steam into drinking water was carried out by a team from Rice University. While already significantly more efficient than solar panels at producing electricity, the technology will likely find its first applications in low-cost sanitation, water purification and human waste treatment for the developing world.

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The solar energy of the future – how does it work?

Rice's technology relies on light-absorbing nanoparticles. When submerged and illuminated, these particles can quickly reach temperatures well above the boiling point of water.

At this stage, they quickly dissipate heat through their very small surface area, which almost instantly results in 150 °C (300 °F) of steam being generated directly on the surface of the particle.

The system is so effective that it can even easily turn cold water directly into steam and vice versa, the power of solar energy is incredible, isn't it?

The solar energy project with hydropanels can be deployed at home

The project that transforms solar energy into drinking water is still in the testing phase, despite having gone beyond expectations when tested in an indigenous village in the United States, the creators say that there is a lot of work to be done.

Therefore, the main idea is that solar energy can convert even faster the steam into drinking water, being able to solve a good part of the problems during the dry period of the farmers around the world.

“We are excited to help shed light on the potential of hydropanels to help solve the challenge of access to clean water that our communities have faced for decades,” says Clara Pratte, president of Navajo Power.