How light can vaporize water without the need for heat

Surprising “photomolecular effect” discovered by MIT researchers could affect calculations of climate change and may lead to improved desalination and drying processes.

David L. Chandler | MIT News • mit
yesterday • ~11 min

Understanding the impacts of mining on local environments and communities

Extractive industries threaten water, glaciers, and livelihoods, but new research offers hope.

Carolyn Blais | Abdul Latif Jameel Water and Food Systems Lab • mit
March 21, 2024 • ~18 min

In a surprising finding, light can make water evaporate without heat

A newly identified process could explain a variety of natural phenomena and enable new approaches to desalination.

David L. Chandler | MIT News • mit
Oct. 31, 2023 • ~7 min

Desalination system could produce freshwater that is cheaper than tap water

MIT engineers and collaborators developed a solar-powered device that avoids salt-clogging issues of other designs.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
Sept. 27, 2023 • ~8 min

What Arizona and other drought-ridden states can learn from Israel's pioneering water strategy

Arizona is considering a multibillion-dollar desalination project to address its urgent water needs. Three water experts call for a go-slow approach and point to Israel as a role model.

Sharon B. Megdal, Professor of Environmental Science and Director, Water Resources Research Center, University of Arizona • conversation
Sept. 12, 2023 • ~9 min

Separating molecules is a highly energy-intensive but essential part of drug development, desalination and other industrial processes – improving membranes can help

Around half of US industrial energy use goes toward separating molecules in industrial processes. Developing materials that can withstand harsh industrial conditions can help increase efficiency.

Miao Yu, Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo • conversation
Sept. 7, 2023 • ~5 min

Desalination could give the Middle East water without damaging marine life -- but it must be managed carefully

Jordan is planning a major desalination plant on the Gulf of Aqaba – but will it damage nearby marine ecosystems?

Raya A. Al-Masri, Researcher in Resources Governance and Sustainability, University of Surrey • conversation
Jan. 18, 2023 • ~7 min

MIT PhD students shed light on important water and food research

J-WAFS Fellows discuss their inspiration for pursuing challenges in water and food systems.

Carolyn Blais | Abdul Latif Jameel Water and Food Systems Lab • mit
Nov. 10, 2022 • ~9 min

Desalinating seawater sounds easy, but there are cheaper and more sustainable ways to meet people's water needs

Nearly 97% of the world’s water is in the oceans, but desalination is no magic bullet for water-stressed coastal cities.

Gregory Pierce, Co-Director, Luskin Center for Innovation, University of California, Los Angeles • conversation
Sept. 22, 2022 • ~8 min

Desalination may be key to averting global water shortage, but it will take time

Drinkable water resources are becoming increasingly scarce. Are technologies such as desalination capable of averting such a crisis?

Kiran Tota-Maharaj, Reader in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Aston University • conversation
Sept. 1, 2022 • ~8 min

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