Now the "Solar Cells" can perform two functions i.e Power Generation and Water desalination

Date: November 15, 2017

Source: Cell Press

Summary: Solar cells have been in use of Man-kind in one form or the other to generate electricity by sunlight. All of these solar cells have in common, the use of semiconductor and their Power generation efficiency greatly relies on the transport properties of Semi-conductor that is used to build the device. At the University of California, a group of Scientists and Engineers developed a method to dissociate water molecules in oppositely charged halves using two ionic exchange membranes, which when flow through these membranes, produce ionic current. Moreover, the ions upon recombination form the water molecule and in this way it is also being purified.

Check out the dissociation image here

It is in-fact a great achievement... Now in this way, we'll be able to drink the Ocean water that is very salty and not usable fro us normally as well as the energy deficiency problem will be solved...

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Source:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171115130934.htm

Journal Reference:

William White, Christopher D. Sanborn, David M. Fabian, Shane Ardo. Conversion of Visible Light into Ionic Power Using Photoacid-Dye-Sensitized Bipolar Ion-Exchange Membranes. Joule, 2017; DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2017.10.015