Solar water desalination enhancement by photothermal conversion with broadband surface electromagnetic waves

Water scarcity is a global challenge, and solar-powered desalination offers a sustainable solution. This study explores the use of broadband lossy surface electromagnetic waves at the interface of nano-thin absorbing metals on a prism under total internal reflection. By harnessing solar energy, we significantly enhance water evaporation rates. Our results demonstrate the potential of this technology to address water scarcity and promote sustainable water management. Specifically, we obtained an evaporation rate of 6.5 L/hr. area in Beer Sheva in the summertime without any focusing of the sunlight. Hence with some focusing techniques, and multiple reflection designs the evaporation rate is expected to exceed 15 L/hr.m2, the rate obtainable using the inverse osmoses technique.