In a boost to global water security, researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a siphon-powered thermal desalination system that converts seawater into clean drinking water faster, cheaper, and more efficiently than conventional methods.

Traditional solar stills, which replicate the natural water cycle, often face two challenges — salt buildup on evaporator surfaces and scaling limits that restrict water flow to just 10–15 cm. The IISc team has overcome both issues by harnessing the principle of siphonage.

The new system uses a composite siphon made of a fabric wick and a grooved metal surface. The fabric draws salty water from a reservoir while gravity ensures a continuous flow, flushing away salt before it can crystallize. The water then spreads as a thin fil

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