As freshwater supplies come under increasing pressure from population growth, drought, and climate change, scientists are searching for better ways to turn seawater into drinking water. 

The United Nations estimates that 2.2 billion people lack safely managed drinking water, and communities from California to the Middle East rely on desalination plants to convert ocean water to fresh water. Common desalination techniques, such as reverse osmosis and thermal distillation, are energy-intensive, require pre- and post-water treatment, and leave behind a concentrated saltwater byproduct called brine. The brine byproduct wreaks havoc on sea life when it’s deposited back into the ocean by raising the salt level and lowering oxygen in the water.

A new breakthrough from researchers at the University of Rochester could make desalination cleaner, more efficient, and more sustainable than ever before. Their solar-powered system uses specially engineered "black metal" surfaces to convert seawater into fresh water without chemical additives and, importantly, without producing harmful brine waste that can damage marine ecosystems.

Even more intriguing, the process captures leftover salts and minerals that can be reused, including lithium, a critical material for rechargeable batteries. Traditional desalination has long been criticized for its high energy consumption and environmental impact. This new approach aims to address both challenges simultaneously. While still in the research stage, the technology offers a glimpse of a future where ocean water could help solve global water shortages while also supporting clean energy supply chains.