Fundamental Understanding of Solar Driven Interfacial Evaporation using 3D hierarchical hybrid structures

Introduction

Facing water scarcity that affects two-thirds of the global population, our planet's demand for sustainable solutions has never been more critical. Solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SDIE) is a promising method to produce fresh water using solar energy.

Background

Despite many advancements in material development, the fundamentals of interfacial transport have been left untouched. With localized heating proximate to the interface, SDIE departs from conventional evaporation mechanisms by creating pronounced temperature and pressure gradients proximate to the interface, substantially affecting liquid-vapor interactions. This distinction prompts reevaluating traditional models and concepts, highlighting the pressing need for an updated framework.

Objectives

With its primary objective as crafting a transport scheme for accurate interfacial flux predictions, I will examine SDIE using:

1. Concurrent advanced microscopic thermography
2. Fluorescent and optical imaging techniques
3. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
4. Theoretical approaches

These methods will reveal uncharted dimensions of desalination.

Proposed Innovations

SolWator proposes innovative 3D patterned hybrid structures that provide optimum hydrothermal conditions for maximum evaporation from the liquid meniscus. This will be accompanied by the formulation of updated CFD and theoretical models to understand the effects of localized intense heating on the coupling of interfacial heat/momentum transport and vapor diffusion in SDIE.

Bottlenecks and Optimization

With SolWator identifying bottlenecks, it provides optimization guidelines and sustainability studies. The outputs address one of the most pressing challenges of our time, making SDIE highly feasible for clean water shortage challenges and enhancing the socio-economic facets of our global community.

Broader Impacts

The predictive tools and the knowledge gained will also have far-reaching benefits for other phase change and localized heating areas, including:

• Microreactors
• Oil recovery
• Propulsion technologies