Laser-etched solar desalination turns seawater into freshwater while mining minerals—no brine waste
University of Rochester researchers have created a solar-powered desalination system using laser-treated, superwicking black metal that rapidly evaporates seawater, directs salts to a passive region to prevent clogging, and produces freshwater without liquid brine while recovering solid minerals (including lithium), offering a scalable path to both drinking water and mineral resources.
