Scientists have made a major breakthrough in solar energy technology by creating a novel material capable of directly converting sunlight into heat with unprecedented efficiency. 

The development centers on thin films of a specific titanium oxide phase, Ti₄O₇, and could lead to advances in areas ranging from energy-efficient buildings to clean water and sustainable fuel production.

“The ability to create thin photothermal coatings on reasonably sized surfaces holds particular promise for passive desalination in niche applications, using only direct sunlight and requiring no external electrical energy input, unlike the commonly used reverse osmosis process,” said Professor My Ali El Khakani, who led the research team.

Read more in Interesting Engineering here.

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