Potential impact
The MIT desalination system has the potential to make a significant impact on communities around the world, particularly in regions where access to clean drinking water is limited. According to Jonathan Bessette, a MIT PhD student in mechanical engineering, "The majority of the population actually lives far enough from the coast, that seawater desalination could never reach them. They consequently rely heavily on groundwater, especially in remote, low-income regions. And unfortunately, this groundwater is becoming more and more saline due to climate change."
The system's ability to harness renewable energy and produce clean drinking water without relying on backup batteries makes it an attractive solution for communities that need reliable access to clean water.