A solar steam generator is a device that uses the abundance of solar energy to separate
Professor Shu-Hong Yu and his colleagues from the UniversityChina's science and technology wanted to combine all four improvements in one device. They chose wood as the basis for their generator because of its stability and porous structure, which provides fast water transport.
Scientists made their device usingbacteria that produced long cellulose nanofibers. They also connected the layers of the device together. The research team added bacteria to the surface of a wooden block and allowed it to ferment.
The scientists then sprayed an aerosol of glassbubbles - tiny hollow spheres that provide excellent thermal insulation - to the surface. The spheres began to embed themselves into cellulose nanofibers produced by bacteria, forming a hydrogel. Finally, the researchers added carbon nanotubes, which became entangled with cellulose nanofibers to form an evaporative top layer that absorbs light.
The solar steam generator has a top layer(black) of light-absorbing carbon nanotubes, a middle layer (gray) of insulating glass bubbles, and a bottom layer (brown) of water-transporting wood. Provided by:Nano letters
The device works by transporting water upwardthrough the wood to the light-absorbing layer, which is heated by the sun. The water evaporates and the steam is collected and condensed to produce pure water. An insulating layer of glass spheres prevents heat transfer down through the device and loss. Meanwhile, nanoscale structures reduce the energy required to evaporate water. As a result, the new device has a higher evaporation rate and efficiency than most existing solar steam generators.
Read also
It turned out that made the Mayan civilization leave their cities
Scientists have revealed a herpes infection plan for humans: it looks like a game with bets
On the 3rd day of illness, most patients with COVID-19 lose their sense of smell and often suffer from a runny nose