Dr Wang’s work is at the forefront of the solar-water nexus, involving the use of solar energy to produce freshwater from unconventional sources and accessible water to enhance solar electricity production. The specific works, all of which have considerable scientific and implementation value, are: (1) next generation solar distillation designs, including photovoltaics-membrane distillation device that generates both electricity and water, which can potentially shift electricity production from the ‘water consumer’ side to the ‘water producer’ side; (2) salt crystallization for seawater desalination brine treatment with zero-liquid discharge, which is fully driven by solar energy and/or other types of low-grade energy; (3) atmospheric water harvesting to produce water for point-of-use consumption and the application (atmospheric) water vapor sorption and evaporation cycle for desalination and effective cooling for photovoltaic panels and buildings.
(This news was originally published at FCE e-Bulletin.)