People have been seeking treasures for as long as we can remember. For some, it could be for the sense of adventure and fulfillment, and for others, it’s all about the value. America has uncovered what may be the largest treasure in history, and it is shining deep under the ocean. This treasure is all about fulfillment and value, as it has the potential to rewrite history with its revolutionary results, as it addresses some of the biggest concerns currently faced on our planet.
Some of the biggest concerns faced on our planet
Climate change has been an infamous topic in many discussions over the past few years, as its impacts are extreme. The United Nations (UN) has made it clear that climate change not only threatens the environment and ecosystems, but it also impacts human health by worsening air and water quality, and by altering rainfall patterns, which affects water supplies and food production.
According to UN-Water, water scarcity has become a growing concern. Besides, climate change, population growth, and economic development have also increased the global demand for water. Water scarcity will have the following negative impacts:
Economic strain
Social and political instability
Environmental degradation
Health and sanitation issues
Renewable energy sources are an ideal alternative to burning fossil fuels, which have been significantly contributing to climate change due to their greenhouse gas emissions, especially when used to produce power. Unfortunately, another concern is the efficiency of renewable energy sources, as well as the storage of excess renewable energy for times of intermittency in power production. Thankfully, there is an answer!
The answer is shining bright deep under the ocean
A team of researchers from Johns Hopkins University, Michigan State University, Cornell University, Lehigh University, and MIT has found the answer to some of our biggest concerns, and it is shining deep under the ocean. A new solar-powered electrolysis technology will utilize seawater to produce two valuable treasures, which in turn will address even more concerns.
There have been a few innovative breakthroughs in producing fresh water in desert regions, but none as promising as this. In the research team’s article, “Over 12% efficiency solar-powered green hydrogen production from seawater,” published in the journal Energy & Environmental Science, they explain how utilizing seawater in solar-powered electrolysis will generate fresh water as a hydrogen by-product.
How it works
Photovoltaic power drives electrolysis, and the waste heat from solar cells is utilized to generate clean water through seawater distillation. An evaporator and PEM electrolyzer are divided by an air gap, which avoids direct contact between seawater and electrocatalysts.
Its results are the biggest treasure in history
According to their article’s results, by utilizing solar energy and seawater as inputs, they experimentally achieved a solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 12.6%, a production rate of green hydrogen of 35.9 L m−2 h−1, and 1.2 L m−2 h−1 of clean water.
Advantages of this system
Hydrogen and freshwater are produced with one system, which shares capital expenses and utilizes the full solar spectrum.
The water comes from seawater, overcoming the use of scarce sources for hydrogen production.
Freshwater generation absorbs heat, cooling solar panels and increasing electricity production and efficiency.
Seawater never comes into contact with the electrocatalyst, removing corrosion and unwanted chemical reactions concerns
There is no need for batteries, upgrades to the power grid, etc.
This breakthrough has high application potential, including industries such as healthcare, power, food and beverages, oil and gas, and microelectronics. Not only will this solar-powered electrolysis technology decrease the global carbon footprint, but the hydrogen can be used for renewable energy storage. This device’s produced water can help overcome water scarcity in drought-stricken regions. It truly has the potential to become the largest treasure in history, as its potential is limitless.