Graphene Filtration | A revolution in Desalination technology!

Recently, a group of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology researchers made a major breakthrough in the graphene based desalination process. They were able to remove 97% of common salts in an energy efficient way. The current reverse osmosis desalination technology is energy intensive, and desalination plants’ capital costs are high. By the year 2025, 14% of the world's population will experience water scarcity, which makes this discovery very important. Moreover, graphene-based filtration technology could come to your kitchen very soon.

[SamChemfen]

As a chemist, I really liked you included the coordinated water molecules on dissolved ions. Very nice video by the way!

[JohnTrustworthy]

Graphene can do everything except leave the laboratory.

[Pyedr]

The unqualified use of "miraculous" raises my skepticism hackles.

[janami-dharmam]

The paper is more than 3 years old; the authors focus on the tunable aspect of the gaphene membranes.

[TheWorldBelow]

Nano engineering is so unbelievably profound. Not many amateurs can tune the really expensive equipment. Yet.

[LyfrMusic]

I love New Inventions like these !!
Desalination is the future as more and more population grows and ground water resources won't be enough for all of us.
Technologies like these really will help in decreasing the per unit cost of filtering it and making it available for masses.

[QuestionEverythingButWHY]

“What is now proved was once only imagined.”
–William Blake

[bohanxu]

"I have a probl"
"graphene"
"but I haven't told you th"

[Ralphgtx]

you'll still have to pump there will still be osmotic pressure this would just be a better RO membrane ...

[jeremysimmons]

The value provided for the salt rejection of salt in conventional RO membranes does not represent the state of the art. For example, DOW Filmtec model SW30HRLE-400i is rated for a minimum of 99.65% (cited from its data sheet). However the video attributes only 90-95% to conventional RO membranes. The authors of the paper cited in the video found the the GO membrane could provide 97% salt rejection, which does not surpass state-of-the-art high rejection membranes.

In the Nature paper cited by the video, it seems the authors are more excited about the tunability of the GO membranes which may open up opportunities in other filtration applications.

[markplain]

I have a simple question: won't the salt clog up the entry point and prevent water going through?

[wolfbear]

I've been waiting for this to be perfected. It has been aong time coming.

[rewalos]

Thank you so much for teaching me this. I have a question though: do we have a way of handling the brine that is produced from the salt molecules left over on the other side?

[bimmjim]

I am a materials engineer. The possibilities of new materials with new properties is virtually infinite.

[matterisnotsolid]

This is the most amazing computer generated voice I have ever heard.

[kahlilstoltzfus]

I remember learning that ions dissolve via ion dipole interactions (intermolecular force). Thus there is no sharing of electrons and not a covalent bond. This should be fact checked. (4:06)

[MEJOVA]

I love the way you explain the concepts.

[olumuyiwaasunmo]

One of the brilliant videos I've had to watch on this subject. Thanks for it.

[louisegogel]

Sunlight and vapor collection seems to be the most accessible way to desalinate water.

[Jule-mmdr]

This should be more talked about on TV. Instead of showering us with negative news and statistics the media should offer us something positive as this.