Self-regulating and asymmetric evaporator for efficient solar water-electricity generation

Hydrovoltaic technology: from mechanism to applications

“…Utilizing this asymmetric structure, the authors achieved a water evaporation rate of 1.93 kg m −2 h −1 and a power output of ∼0.6 μW in salt solutions. 94 With intense further efforts, clean water made from these elaborate devices may alleviate the water crisis of insufficient capacity, industrial contamination and the overburdened consumption.…”

Recent developments of hydrogel based solar water purification technology

“…Carbon-based materials have been used as solar absorbers in various studies in recent years, owing to their excellent light absorption over a broad spectrum, ease of preparation, abundance and low cost. Carbon-based materials include activated carbon, 83–86 polymer 76,87–90 or biomass 82,91–95 derived carbide, carbon black 96–101 and various amorphous carbon materials and highly graphitized carbon materials, such as graphene, 56,59,63,74,77,102–122 carbon nanotubes (CNTs) 27,123–130 and their derivatives.…”

“…122,128,158 Besides, the application of this technology to purify specific wastewater containing nanoparticles, 139 acidic, 174 alkaline, 94 and low-boiling-point contaminants, 177 and organic dyes 144,156 is also under development. Furthermore, additional functions, such as electricity generation, 51,88,101,125,127,129,138,185 fog collection, 146,186,187 oil/water separation, 147 water disinfection, 184 sensing, 58 and photo degradability, 65,80,188 have also been integrated into solar water purification.…”

Spontaneous energy generation at the air–hydrogel interface with ultrahigh ion activity

“…14 Another practical strategy to generate power in air is based on the streaming potential from liquid water ow. [15][16][17][18][19] The moisture gradient near sources of liquid water drives micro/nanouidic water transport in thin lms, resulting in charge transportation for electric output. [20][21][22] Nevertheless, this method is limited to specic environments with liquid water sources and may be difficult to scale up.…”