Promising Solar Technology Would Expand Drinking Water Access

Several advancements in solar technology may provide the answer to drinking water production in distressed regions of the world.

A new material developed by researchers speeds up the process in solar stills, the tank-like devices used to evaporate impure water and condense the vapor into potable form. Current products on the market are big, pricey and can barely produce enough water for a small family. However, shrinking the size and cost of solar stills would open access for many people lacking water resources.