Solar-powered system offers a route to inexpensive desalination

Passive solar evaporation system could be used to clean wastewater, provide potable water, or sterilize medical tools in off-grid areas.An estimated two-thirds of humanity is affected by shortages of water, and many such areas in the developing world also face a lack of dependable electricity. Widespread research efforts have thus focused on ways to desalinate seawater or brackish water using just solar heat. Many such efforts have run into problems with fouling of equipment caused by salt buildup, however, which often adds complexity and expense.