At a time when freshwater resources are diminishing and environmental challenges are intensifying, an innovation inspired by nature is offering hope to water-scarce communities. Inspired by mangrove trees, which anchor their roots in salt water to extract nutrients, researchers at Khalifa University developed apioneering solution for producing fresh water from seawater.

 To address water scarcity and protect natural resources, the team created adevice that mimics the mangrove’s natural transpiration process, converting seawater into fresh water while collecting salt as a by-product, without releasing brine or harming the environment. The system uses sustainable solar thermal distillation to absorb sunlight and generate vapour at the water’s surface, minimising heat loss and maximising energy efficiency.

Professor TieJun Zhang, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Associate Dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Khalifa University, explained the philosophy behind the invention: “The strength of this technology is that it is a passive device. We don’t need an active or mechanical pump that requires maintenance. This technology is fully driven by capillary force. It is scalable and low cost.”

This achievement reflects a vision that unites research, practical application and sustainability. An innovation that has delivered tangible benefits to communities, it was awarded first place in the ‘Innovative Research and Development – National Institutions’ category of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award. What began as an observation of nature has evolved into a lasting source of hope for generations to come.