Taiwan university develops graphene membrane for power, water purification

台灣大學研發出用於發電和水淨化的石墨烯膜

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A team from National Taiwan University of Science and Technology has created a graphene membrane that generates electricity and purifies water, helping reduce carbon emissions in manufacturing, per CNA.

The research, led by Hung Wei-song (洪維松), a professor at the university’s Graduate Institute of Applied Science and Technology, was published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials. It was also recognized by the R&D 100 Awards, the Net Zero Tech International Contest, and the Hualit Innovative Materials Competition organized by the Materials Research Society of Taiwan.

Hung said the graphene membrane can filter water and detect pollutants, representing an integration of green energy and smart materials.

He said that when deployed at sea level, the membrane’s upper layer absorbs heat from sunlight to drive seawater evaporation and desalination, while its lower layer generates electricity as it moves with ocean waves. The technology is expected to help ease shortages of drinking water and electricity in remote communities and offshore islands.

Hung said the graphene must be evenly applied to the membrane to achieve optimal electricity-generating performance. He added the material has self-cleaning abilities, helping reduce the buildup of dust or salt from seawater on its surface.

The team plans to further develop the graphene membrane into a modular design, enabling the solution to be deployed in areas with sunlight and water resources but limited access to power.

At the Net Zero Tech International Contest in August, Hung said the team devoted significant effort to presenting the material and explaining it through posters and wave-simulation models. The team earned first place in the competition.