Superhydrophobic coatings developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory could be the key to efficiently converting saltwater to freshwater. Small-scale tests have produced encouraging results, according to John Simpson, inventor of the material, which pins a layer of air on the coating's surface. This serves as a barrier that blocks evaporated salt crystals from bonding to and corroding the coated surface. Simpson envisions this technology playing a key role in overcoming the problem created by salt deposits on desalination equipment. With conventional technologies, removal of these deposits requires large amounts of energy and fresh water, rendering the process economically unfeasible.
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