A revolutionary device that uses only sunlight and seawater to produce green hydrogen and clean drinking water has been created by researchers at Cornell University. This system is as compact as just 10 by 10 centimeters in size, called the Hybrid Solar Distillation–Water Electrolysis (HSD-WE) device.
It is a step toward tackling two global crises at once: the demand for clean energy and the growing scarcity of fresh water.
The technology utilizes the full spectrum of solar energy. While most solar panels waste nearly 70% of absorbed sunlight as heat, the HSD-WE system captures and uses that heat at its fullest.
The waste heat warms seawater in a capillary wick, triggering evaporation. It results in water vapor that is condensed into clean water and simultaneously fed into an electrolyzer powered by the same solar panel.
This will result in the splitting of water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, providing a dual benefit of zero-emission hydrogen fuel and drinkable water as a byproduct.
Currently, the device delivers a solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency of 12.6%, with a hydrogen production rate of 200 milliliters per hour. It also generates 1.2 liters of clean water per square meter every hour.
To put the significance into perspective, producing one kilogram of green hydrogen through traditional electrolysis requires at least nine liters of ultra-pure water.
Green hydrogen demand is expected to surpass 500 million tonnes by 2050, which will lead to over 4.5 trillion liters of clean water, enough to meet the drinking water needs of more than 3.5 billion people.
This prototype not only meets its own water requirement through integrated distillation, but it also generates access to drinking water.
It operates fully off-grid, requiring no external electricity or water purification infrastructure. According to lead researcher Lenan Zhang, the production cost of green hydrogen, currently hovering around $10 per kg, could fall to just $1 per kg with scale and long-term operation over 15 years.
The researchers also see potential beyond energy. By integrating this technology into solar farms, the device can cool the photovoltaic panels, increasing efficiency and extending lifespan.
With its ability to use the most powerful resources, sunlight and seawater, this technology is making the way for a sustainable future, carbon-free hydrogen, and accessible clean water.
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