Abstract: The present invention introduces a capillary distillation method comprising the following steps: heating wastewater, subsequently directing the heated wastewater to one end of a water-diversion fiber material. Through capillary action, the heated wastewater permeates the water-diversion fiber material, diffusing downward along microchannel pathways within the material. Upon reaching the surface of the water-diversion fiber material, the wastewater evaporates. Water vapor is then directed to a condensation module, where it undergoes condensation and collection, resulting in the production of fresh water.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for desalination of high-salt and high-concentration organic wastewater by coupling three membrane separation technologies. Wastewater is subjected to diffusion desalination to obtain diffusion desalination wastewater and diffusion desalination circulating water; the diffusion desalination circulating water is subjected to reverse osmosis to obtain pure water and high-concentration salt water; and the diffusion desalination wastewater is subjected to forward osmosis to obtain forward osmosis wastewater and forward osmosis circulating water, where the forward osmosis wastewater is desalted and concentrated wastewater.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are composite membranes comprising an omniphobic substrate having a reentrant structure. The omniphobic substrate comprises a plurality of pores, the plurality of pores forming the reentrant structure. The omniphobic substrate further comprises a surface, the surface being coated with a dual functional layer that is hydrophilic in air and oleophobic under water, such that the composite membrane has a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion comprising the coated surface of the omniphobic substrate, such that the top portion of the composite membrane is hydrophilic in air and oleophobic under water and the bottom portion of the composite membrane is omniphobic. The composite membrane can be antiwetting and/or antifouling in the presence of a hydrophobic contaminant, an amphiphilic contaminant, or a combination thereof. The composite membranes can be used for membrane distillation of a contaminated brine solution.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are composite membranes comprising an omniphobic substrate having a reentrant structure. The omniphobic substrate comprises a plurality of pores, the plurality of pores forming the reentrant structure. The omniphobic substrate further comprises a surface, the surface being coated with a dual functional layer that is hydrophilic in air and oleophobic under water, such that the composite membrane has a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion comprising the coated surface of the omniphobic substrate, such that the top portion of the composite membrane is hydrophilic in air and oleophobic under water and the bottom portion of the composite membrane is omniphobic. The composite membrane can be antiwetting and/or antifouling in the presence of a hydrophobic contaminant, an amphiphilic contaminant, or a combination thereof. The composite membranes can be used for membrane distillation of a contaminated brine solution.