Light's Surprising Ability to Evaporate Water Without Heat Unveiled by MIT

MIT scientists have discovered that light can cause evaporation at a rate exceeding what is possible with heat alone, particularly in hydrogel-bound water. This "photomolecular effect" could revolutionize solar desalination and climate modeling, potentially tripling water production in desalination processes and advancing solar cooling technologies. The researchers found that light, specifically green light, can directly bring about evaporation without the need for heat, and it does so even more efficiently than heat. This discovery could have implications for fog and cloud formation, as well as industrial processes such as solar-powered desalination. The researchers are now exploring applications of this phenomenon and collaborating with other groups to replicate their findings.