Researchers from Monash University in Australia and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay have developed a novel solar-powered desalination system that addresses a key limitation in many existing designs by preventing salt clogging, according to a new study published in Advanced Science.
The prototype device, named SunSpring, employs an ultrathin floating membrane layered with specially structured carbon micro “flowers” that efficiently absorb sunlight and convert it into heat. This heat drives the evaporation of seawater, distilling it into freshwater without the continuous salt accumulation that has traditionally restricted the operation of solar desalination systems.
In laboratory tests, the system produced the equivalent of approximately 18 liters of potable water per square metre each day under standard solar conditions. The researchers report that this throughput was achieved while maintaining steady operation without salt deposits blocking the membrane surface—a common challenge in long-term desalination applications.
The core innovation lies in the combination of an ultrathin, highly porous polymer scaffold and nanoscale carbon absorbers
The core innovation lies in the combination of an ultrathin, highly porous polymer scaffold and nanoscale carbon absorbers. Together, these features enhance solar-thermal conversion efficiency and promote rapid water evaporation at the membrane interface. In addition, the design incorporates a housing that separates the evaporation and condensation zones to support continuous water collection.
According to the research team, the SunSpring system is intended to operate without external power beyond sunlight, making it suitable for off-grid locations and communities with limited access to electricity. Areas facing chronic water scarcity and high solar irradiation could particularly benefit from such decentralized freshwater production.
The authors note that nearly one-third of the world’s population lives in regions where high water stress coincides with economic disadvantage and abundant solar energy, highlighting the potential relevance of solar-driven desalination technologies in these settings.
Future work will focus on refining the prototype design and evaluating its performance under real-world conditions. The researchers also plan to explore scaling up the system and integrating it into larger water production frameworks following successful field trials and optimization.
