High-efficiency solar energy tech turns water into steam
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New solar steam technology developed at Rice University is so effective at turning sunlight into heat that it can produce steam from icy-cold water
A diagram illustrating how the light-absorbing nanoparticles turn sunlight into steam
The solar steam device developed at Rice University has an overall energy efficiency of 24 percent, far surpassing that of photovoltaic solar panels
Rice University graduate student Oara Neumann (left) and scientist Naomi Halas are co-authors of new research on a highly efficient method of turning sunlight into steam
Article Summary
A team of researchers at Rice University has developed a new technology that uses light-absorbing nanoparticles to convert solar energy directly into steam. Even though it is already significantly more efficient than solar panels at producing electricity, the technology will likely find its first applications in low-cost sanitation, water purification and human waste treatment for the developing world.
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