A groundbreaking solar-powered method using liquid tin is transforming water purification and metal recovery in 2025. Developed by researchers at Science Tokyo, the technology offers a sustainable solution for water treatment while extracting valuable resources from seawater brine and polluted groundwater.
The innovative process involves spraying brine onto liquid tin heated by concentrated sunlight. This distills freshwater and allows for the extraction of elements like sodium, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Controlled cooling then enables the separate recovery of these metals, turning desalination brine from an environmental burden into a valuable resource.
This technique can also remove arsenic from contaminated groundwater, offering a versatile solution for both water purification and resource recovery. With conventional desalination plants discharging approximately 141.5 million cubic meters of brine daily, this technology addresses a critical environmental challenge while minimizing energy consumption and waste production.