Source: Tiny Channels Take Salt From Seawater : Discovery News An interesting approach, it begs the question of what happens to the sodium . . . sodium hydroxide? If it can scale, an awesome technology. Bob Wilson
Let's hope that there are legs to this idea. However, a lot 22 micron channels would be needed to support millions of gal/day that a desal plant generates. Note that the chlorine returns to an ionized state once it has passed pass the electrode, so the two outputs are more salty water and less salty water.
It certainly has potential. Long before it can replace industrial desalination plants, it will have to pass through the design stages of replacing hand-held water purifiers meant for hikers, and reverse osmosis water makers typically used on sailboats. Not absolutely everything has to be electronic, but it sounds promising.
