Climate Insider Brief:
- MIT researchers discovered that water can evaporate solely under the influence of light, without the need for heat. This challenges traditional understanding and has sparked significant scientific interest.
- The discovery opens doors to a myriad of applications, from refining climate models and understanding cloud behaviour to revolutionising industrial processes like paper drying and maple syrup production.
- The study reveals the intricacies of the photomolecular effect, particularly noting its peak intensity when light strikes water molecules at a 45° angle in the green spectrum.
Recently, researchers at MIT have unveiled a remarkable finding regarding evaporation—one that challenges conventional wisdom and opens doors to a myriad of applications in both industry and climate science.
The essence of their discovery lies in the revelation that water can evaporate solely under the influence of light, without the need for heat—an observation that defies traditional understanding. This unexpected phenomenon has sparked intrigue among scientists and prompted meticulous scrutiny to validate its authenticity.
Through a series of rigorous experiments and precise measurements, MIT scientists confirmed that evaporation indeed occurs in the absence of thermal energy. One notable indicator of this process was the transient cooling of the air above the evaporating water, followed by stabilisation—a clear indication that traditional heat-driven evaporation mechanisms were not at play.
Professor Gang Chen, well-known in power engineering at MIT, expressed enthusiasm about the diverse range of applications stemming from this discovery. From refining climate models by elucidating the role of clouds to revolutionising industrial processes such as paper drying and maple syrup production, the implications are vast and multifaceted.
Key insights from the study shed light on the intricacies of this newfound phenomenon. Notably, the intensity of photoevaporation peaks when light strikes water molecules at a 45° angle, particularly in the green spectrum—an unexpected correlation given water’s transparency to green light. This observation underscores the complexity of the photomolecular effect, a term coined by the researchers to describe the process analogous to the photoelectric effect discovered in 1887.
Moreover, the study offers insights into longstanding mysteries surrounding cloud behaviour and solar desalination. For decades, discrepancies between observed phenomena and theoretical predictions have puzzled scientists. The revelation of the photomolecular effect provides a plausible explanation for these anomalies, offering a fresh perspective on phenomena that have eluded conventional understanding.
As interest in harnessing this effect burgeons, MIT researchers anticipate a surge in innovative applications across various sectors. Whether it’s improving the efficiency of solar desalination or enhancing our understanding of climate dynamics, the photomolecular effect holds promise for addressing pressing challenges and advancing scientific frontiers.
To stay informed about the climate industry explore our latest climate tech news.
Featured Image: Credit: MIT
