Researchers at Zhejiang University have developed a sponge-like aerogel that can desalinate seawater using only sunlight and a simple plastic cover, with no extra energy needed. Made with carbon nanotubes and cellulose, the aerogel has tiny vertical pores that boost evaporation efficiency, even at larger sizes. In outdoor tests, it floated on seawater and turned it into clean drinking water by evaporating pure water vapor that condensed on a cover. This low-cost, scalable method could help produce freshwater sustainably, offering a promising off-grid solution for communities with limited access to clean water.
