Researchers at MIT have discovered that light can directly cause water to evaporate without the need for heat.
The researchers found that water molecules escape in bursts, a process that differs from heat-driven evaporation.
This discovery could potentially play a significant role in the formation and evolution of fog and clouds, and may have implications for improving the accuracy of climate change modeling.
This phenomenon was observed in experiments where water was held in a hydrogel material and exposed to visible light.
In a recent scientific development, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have discovered that light can directly cause water to evaporate without the need for heat. This surprising phenomenon was observed during experiments where water was held in a hydrogel material and exposed to visible light. The researchers found that some tests produced twice as much evaporation as expected from heat alone.
The team found evidence that water molecules escape in bursts, a process that differs from heat-driven evaporation, which typically occurs one molecule at a time. This discovery could potentially play a significant role in the formation and evolution of fog and clouds, and may have implications for improving the accuracy of climate change modeling.
The researchers are now focusing on how to apply this discovery to real-world needs. One potential application could be improving the efficiency of solar-powered desalination systems. Additionally, the researchers are exploring the effects of this phenomenon on climate change modeling, as it could potentially alter our understanding of how water cycles in the environment.
While this discovery is groundbreaking, it is important to note that it is still in the early stages of research. Further studies are needed to fully understand the implications of this phenomenon and how it can be applied in practical ways.
The team saturated hydrogels with water and exposed them to visible light, finding that some tests produced twice as much evaporation as expected from heat.
The researchers found evidence that water molecules escape in bursts, differing from heat-driven evaporation which occurs one molecule at a time.
The researchers are now working on how to apply this discovery to real-world needs, including improving the efficiency of solar-powered desalination systems and exploring its effects on climate change modeling.