Houston, TX—A new technology that uses nanoparticles to convert solar energydirectly into steam has been developed by Rice University scientists. This new “solar steam” method from Rice’s Laboratory for Nanophotonics (LANP) is so effective it can even produce steam from icy cold water. Published online in ACS Nano, the technology has an overall energy efficiency of 24%–even better than solar photovoltaic panels. Initially, however, the inventors of the solar steam technology say it will be initially used for sanitation and water purification in developing countries rather than for energy generation.

“This is about a lot more than electricity,” said LANP director Naomi Halas, lead scientist on the project. “With this technology, we are beginning to think about solar thermal power in a completely different way.” The efficiency of solar steam is due to the light-capturing nanoparticles that convert sunlight into heat. When submerged in water and…