Freshwater makes up less than 3% of the world's total water supply. Due to climate change, deforestation, and changing demographic habits, this already scarce resource is getting scarcer in many countries.

Apart from drinking water, Assoc Prof Xu says his team is looking at various other applications for the technology, including wastewater treatment in industrial operations.

"There are several possible ways to apply the same technologies," he says, "but we are really at the start of a fascinating journey."

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