Postage Stamp Sized Device Makes Dirty Ocean Water Drinkable

Scientists at MIT in conjunction with their Korean colleagues, have developed a micro water desalination device the size of a postage stamp.

The units electrostatically separate salts and microbes from water instead of using a membrane like conventional desalination techniques. This is what allows the unit to be so small.

In a test, using a mixture of Massachusetts beach water, plastic microbes and blood, the device was able to separate 99% of contaminants from the water.

The size and effectiveness of this device gives it promise for use in disaster relief or areas with very little infrastructure that need clean water.

One of these units can only process small amounts of water. However the scientists plan to use up 10,000 units in conjunction to have a much larger capacity.

Photo Credit: MIT/Patrick Gillooly