Latest news with #ShanghaiJiaoTongUniversity
Sustainability Times
09-07-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'This Miracle Device Will Save Millions': MIT Scientists Unleash High-Flow Solar Desalinator Flooding Communities With Gallons of Pure Freshwater Every Hour
IN A NUTSHELL 🌞 MIT and Shanghai Jiao Tong University have innovated a solar desalination system to produce affordable potable water. and Shanghai Jiao Tong University have innovated a solar desalination system to produce affordable potable water. 🔄 The system utilizes a multistage process mimicking thermohaline circulation for efficient evaporation and condensation. for efficient evaporation and condensation. 💧 Prototypes can produce 1 to 1.5 gallons of drinkable water per hour, offering a cost-effective solution compared to tap water. 🌍 This innovation has the potential to address global water scarcity by providing sustainable, renewable water sources. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has once again pushed the boundaries of technological innovation with a groundbreaking new development in solar desalination. This revolutionary system, designed in collaboration with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, promises to make potable water more affordable by harnessing the power of the sun. By utilizing a unique multistage evaporation and condensation process, this system could potentially produce freshwater at a lower cost than traditional tap water. As the world grapples with increasing water scarcity, this innovation offers a beacon of hope for sustainable water solutions. The Science Behind Solar Desalination The newly developed solar desalination system employs a series of evaporators and condensers organized in multiple stages. This setup mimics the natural process of thermohaline circulation found in oceans, where water movement is driven by differences in water density due to temperature and salinity variations. In this system, the solar heat is used to create conditions for water to circulate in swirling patterns. As the water evaporates, the salt is left behind, and the resulting water vapor is condensed into pure, drinkable water. Each component of the device is meticulously designed to enhance efficiency. The system is divided into two parts: the upper section, where seawater is heated and evaporated, and the lower section, where condensation takes place. By employing a dark, heat-absorbing material, the system maximizes the absorption of solar energy, thus optimizing the desalination process. The use of thermohaline convection not only prevents salt accumulation but also ensures a continuous flow of desalinated water, making the system exceptionally resilient and sustainable. Revolutionary Solar Tech Unveiled: Ultra-Efficient Panels with Breakthrough Nanolayers Set to Transform Energy at Lightning Speed Prototype Performance and Potential The MIT research team constructed prototypes with varying stages of complexity—single, triple, and ten-stage models. These prototypes were tested using natural seawater and water with salinity levels up to seven times higher. The results were impressive: a device scaled to the size of a small suitcase could produce between 1 and 1.5 gallons of potable water per hour. With such efficiency, the system holds the potential to provide drinking water at a cost lower than that of tap water. One of the standout features of this system is its longevity. The prototypes demonstrated extreme resistance to salt buildup, successfully conducting continuous desalination over 180 hours with highly concentrated seawater. This durability indicates that the system components could last several years before needing replacement, making it a viable long-term solution for water-scarce regions. As such, the solar desalination system represents a significant step forward in sustainable water production. '56,000 Homes Become a Power Plant': California Firm Creates Largest Virtual Energy Source in US With Revolutionary Grid-Sharing Tech Global Implications and Applications Water scarcity is a pressing issue affecting numerous countries worldwide, including both developed and developing nations. The introduction of this solar desalination technology could have profound implications for regions struggling with limited access to clean water. The ability to produce affordable potable water using solar energy aligns perfectly with global sustainability goals and offers a versatile solution adaptable to various climates and environments. Moreover, the technology's scalability allows it to be deployed in different settings, from small rural communities to larger urban areas. As solar technology continues to advance and become more cost-effective, integrating such systems into existing water infrastructure could revolutionize water accessibility. With the added benefit of reducing reliance on traditional water sources, this innovation could play a pivotal role in addressing water scarcity challenges across the globe. 'This Defies Everything We Knew': Sun-Powered Sponge Turns Saltwater Into Freshwater Without Using a Single Watt of Electricity Future Prospects and Research Directions While the current results are promising, further research and development are essential to optimize and commercialize the solar desalination system. Future studies could focus on enhancing the system's efficiency, reducing costs, and exploring integration with other renewable energy sources. Additionally, expanding testing to different environmental conditions and larger scales could provide valuable insights into the system's adaptability and performance. The collaborative effort between institutions like MIT and Shanghai Jiao Tong University exemplifies the power of international cooperation in tackling global challenges. As research continues, the potential for this technology to transform water accessibility and sustainability remains vast. The journey towards widespread implementation is just beginning, and the impact of this innovation could be far-reaching. As the world faces increasing environmental challenges, innovations like MIT's solar desalination system offer a glimpse of hope for a sustainable future. By harnessing the power of renewable energy, we can address critical issues such as water scarcity and resource management. What other groundbreaking solutions might emerge from ongoing research and collaboration to combat global water crises? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.6/5 (25)
Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Mirror
'Death date' of the universe unveiled as scientists say clock ticking for Earth
Physicists from Cornell University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University have detailed how the universe will come to an end and how it will be like a 'reverse Big Bang' A 'death date' for the universe has been revealed as a new study has claimed that the universe will begin to shrink seven billion years from now. Scientists have stated that the clock is ticking for planet Earth after it reached its peak size, and things will start to contract until 'everything collapses back into a single point'. The theory has just been published by physicists from Cornell University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The catastrophic event has been dubbed the Big Crunch - and likened to a reverse Big Bang. They studied data from various astronomical surveys including the Dark Energy Survey and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument. But it seems the universe will take quite some time to shrink. The so called Big Crunch will take place in approximately 34 billion years, so there's plenty of time to get your affairs in order. But anyone still around by that point faces a tricky time - the universe will expand like a "rubber band", they outline, causing everything to "snap back together". According to other research, there could be nobody left to experience it. Earth will be "engulfed by our dying sun" in approximately seven billion years. But Sir Isaac Newton predicted we've got not much time left at all - he said the world will end in 2060 in a chilling letter scrawled above a maths calculation more than 300 years ago. The renowned scientist, who discovered gravity and invented calculus, wrote about a second coming of Christ in just over four decades time - marking an end to life as we know it in 2060. Newton wrote this ominous warning on a letter slip in 1704. Born in 1643, Newton was considered an insightful theologian who had a life-long interest in the existence of God and religion. He based a lot of his religious writings on his readings of the Bible and believed in biblical visions of the Apocalypse — especially the Battle of Armageddon. Writing under the alias 'Jehovah Sanctus Unus' predicted the world would "reset" at 2060 at which point the Earth will once again become 'the Kingdom of God', the Daily Mail reports. Newton wrote: "So then the time times & half a time are 42 months or 1260 days or three years & an half, recconing twelve months to a yeare & 30 days to a month as was done in the Calendar of the primitive year. "And the days of short lived Beasts being put for the years of lived kingdoms, the period of 1260 days, if dated from the complete conquest of the three kings A.C. 800, will end A.C. 2060. It may end later, but I see no reason for its ending sooner." In another prediction referencing the date 2060, Newton stated: "This I mention not to assert when the time of the end shall be, but to put a stop to the rash conjectures of fanciful men who are frequently predicting the time of the end, [and] by doing so bring the sacred prophecies into discredit as often as their predictions fail. Christ comes as a thief in the night, [and] it is not for us to know the times [and] seasons [which] God hath put into his own breast."
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
New study claims the universe will start shrinking in 7 billion years
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, BGR may receive an affiliate commission. How will the world end? While some, like Robert Frost, have waxed poetic about the end of life on Earth—fire or ice—others have been looking to science to solve the mystery. Even still, others have been looking at the bigger picture, trying to figure out when the entire universe will end. Now, a new study claims that the universe itself might start shrinking within the next 7 billion years, leading to what scientists call 'the Big Crunch.' The study was published by physicists from Cornell University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and several other institutions. Using data collected from many different astronomical surveys, including the Dark Energy Survey, the researchers have created a new model that predicts our universe will end with what scientists have long theorized will be a 'Big Crunch.' The model suggests the universe will end roughly 33.3 billion years after the Big Bang. Today's Top Deals XGIMI Prime Day deals feature the new MoGo 4 and up to 42% off smart projectors Best deals: Tech, laptops, TVs, and more sales Best Ring Video Doorbell deals Using that date, the researchers then began looking backward. So far, the universe is estimated to be around 13.8 billion years old. Based on that number and the model's prediction of when the universe will end, we have roughly 20 billion years before the universe collapses in on itself. This study, and the theory of the 'Big Crunch,' challenges long held assumptions that the universe will expand forever, eventually leading to a 'Big Freeze.' Instead, the researchers estimate that the universe will continue to expand for another 7 billion years. At that point, the universe will then begin contracting. Essentially, it will collapse in on itself until a single point remains, destroying everything. It's an interesting and somewhat terrifying theory, even if we aren't expecting it to happen in our lifetime. One easy way to think about it is to imagine the universe as a massive rubber band. As the universe expands, the rubber band stretches. But then it eventually reaches a point where it can't be stretched anymore, forcing the band to become stronger than its expansion force. This then causes everything to snap back together. It's a bit of a sad way for the universe to end, and I can't imagine what it would actually look like if there was any way to see it taking place. Luckily, it's not really something we have to worry about, and this research is far from actual confirmation that this is what will happen. For all we know, the theories could be incorrect, and the universe could indeed keep expanding forever. More Top Deals Memorial Day security camera deals: Reolink's unbeatable sale has prices from $29.98 See the
News.com.au
08-07-2025
- Science
- News.com.au
Study reveals ‘death date' of the universe before ‘Big Crunch' occurs
Time to get your affairs in order — we only have 20 billion years left. That is according to researchers who have published a new study claiming that our once-believed ever-expanding universe will actually begin to shrink in seven billion years. The study, which was published by physicists from Cornell University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and other institutions, suggests that the universe will reach a peak size. After that point, the universe will begin contracting until everything collapses back into a single point. It's essentially a reverse Big Bang, which scientists have dubbed the 'Big Crunch'. Using data from a number of astronomical surveys including the Dark Energy Survey and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, the researchers predict that this 'Big Crunch' will occur in approximately 33.3 billion years. With the universe currently 13.8 billion years old, this gives Earth and everything else roughly 20 billion years before entering oblivion, according to the study. And considering the Earth is expected to be engulfed by our dying sun in approximately seven billion years, it's probably not something anyone will have to worry about too much. The theory is that the universe expands like a 'rubber band' – eventually, the elastic force becomes stronger than the expansion, causing everything to snap back together. The researchers' theory hinges on dark energy, a mysterious force that makes up about 70 per cent of the known universe. Dark energy has long been believed to be the driving force behind the expansion of the universe. However, recent observations suggest the force might actually be dynamic – meaning it can only expand so much until it shrinks again. The new model proposed by researchers suggests the universe will continue expanding but at a gradually slowing rate. At its maximum size, about 69 per cent larger than the size it is today, a gradual contraction will begin. Several major astronomical projects launching in the coming years aim to provide more information on the behaviour of dark energy. These missions could confirm or rule out a 'Big Crunch' scenario. Even if the terrifying outcome is confirmed, a 20 billion year countdown is hardly a reason to panic. For context, complex life on Earth has existed for only about 600 million years – a fraction of time in comparison. 20 billion years down the line, the Sun will have died and our galaxy will have collided with the neighbouring Andromeda galaxy long before 'the great end'. The prediction also comes with a significant level of uncertainty. The researchers have acknowledged that their model has large margins of error due to limited observational data. So, alternative scenarios – including eternal expansion – are still possible.
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Scientists reveal 'death date' of the universe is sooner than previously believed
The universe will not last forever. In fact, scientists have revealed that its lifespan is almost half over already. A team from the US and China have discovered that our universe will reach its 'death date' and stop expanding when it turns 33.3 billion years old. Since the universe is estimated to be roughly 13.8 billion years old right now, that leaves just over 19 billion years to go before everything ends in what scientists call a 'Big Crunch.' While the universe has been expanding outward since the Big Bang, the massive explosion believed to have kickstarted everything in existence, the big crunch would be the reverse - where all matter collapses back into a single point of energy. Researchers from New York's Cornell University and China's Shanghai Jiao Tong University created a new cosmic model that suggests dark energy, the force believed to be driving the universe's expansion, will weaken over time and succumb to gravity. Scientists are still trying to prove that dark energy actually exists, but they believe it acts like a repulsive force, counteracting gravity's desire to pull everything together. If dark energy finally fades after 33.3 billion years, as proposed in the new study, gravity from all the stars, galaxies, and black holes would essentially force the universe to cave in under its own weight. This updated model of the universe now provides a much shorter timeline for our existence, which previous theories suggested might keep going without any limitations. While dark matter is a type of matter which can't be observed or seen, dark energy is a type of energy which doesn't interact in a normal way with matter. Scientists have proposed that these two things might make up the vast majority of the universe NASA's Chelsea Gohd explained in a statement: 'What exactly is dark energy? The short answer is: We don't know. But we do know that it exists, it's making the universe expand at an accelerating rate, and approximately 68.3 to 70 percent of the universe is dark energy.' In the new study, scientists focused on the role of dark energy in this process, using a model called the axion Dark Energy (aDE) model to interpret recent data suggesting that dark energy behaves differently than previously thought. Scientists believed dark energy was a cosmological constant, a fixed, unchanging energy density driving the universe's accelerated expansion indefinitely. This includes a recent study from 2020 in Astronomy & Astrophysics which concluded that the universe's dark energy has a positive cosmological constant, meaning its value never drops off and keeps allowing the universe to grow. However, the new aDE model found dark energy may actually have a negative cosmological constant of around -1.61, which suggests the universe could eventually reach a maximum size and then collapse in a Big Crunch. 'The age of our universe is of foundational importance in cosmology. Since the establishment of the Big Bang Theory, we know it is finite,' the researchers wrote on the pre-print server Arxiv. 'Using the best-fit values of the model as a benchmark, we find the lifespan of our universe to be 33 billion years,' they added in the study submitted for publication in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics. The researchers analyzed recent data from the Dark Energy Survey (DES) and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). These projects studied how fast the universe is expanding by looking at things like exploding stars (supernovae) and the way galaxies are spread out. The data revealed that dark energy might not be as steady as several previous studies previously concluded. Study authors used the aDE model, which includes a cosmological constant (a value that affects how the universe expands or contracts) and an ultra-light particle called an axion. By fitting this model to the data, they estimated key values, like the cosmological constant and the equation of state (a measure of dark energy's behavior). They then used these values to predict the universe's future, calculating when it might stop expanding and collapse. Unlike standard models which assumed that dark energy is fixed, this model allowed dark energy to weaken over time as the axion field evolves. An axion field is like an invisible, super-light energy wave that spreads throughout the entire universe, kind of like ripples on a pond but existing everywhere in space. Allowing dark energy to be flexible in this way revealed that this repulsive force could have a 'best-fit value' which is negative, meaning it'll fade away as more time since the Big Bang passes. There's still a lot of uncertainty concerning the end of the universe as we know it. For one, scientists still don't even know what dark energy really is. NASA has come up with four theories about this invisible force that could be holding back the end of time. One possibility is that it's vacuum energy, a constant background energy in space tied to Albert Einstein's cosmological constant. The theory pushes the universe to expand faster but has created a puzzle for modern scientists because its predicted strength doesn't match newer observations. Dark energy could be a changing energy field or fluid, nicknamed quintessence, that fills space and acts opposite to normal matter, varying across time and space to drive the universe's accelerated expansion. NASA has also speculated that dark energy might come from defects in the universe's fabric, like hypothetical one-dimensional 'wrinkles' called cosmic strings, formed when the universe was young, pushing space outward. However, researchers suggest it could be explained by a flaw in Einstein's theory of gravity, meaning the universe's expansion does not rely on dark energy at all.
