Research summary
The water-energy nexus is the inextricable link between water and energy. Almost every power source demands water in one form or another—and moving, producing, heating and treating water also consume energy. As global demand for water and energy rises, the water-energy nexus is essential for ensuring resource security, sustainability and economic stability. As Canada Research Chair in Advanced Materials Design for Water-Energy Sustainability, Dr. Mita Dasog is addressing critical challenges facing the sustainability of water and energy.
Integrating materials science, environmental engineering and energy technologies, she and her research team are designing photothermal interfaces for desalination, disinfection, decontamination, and seawater mining. They are also using solar energy to photo-reform methane from wastewater into valuable chemicals and creating next-generation electrolyzers compatible with treated wastewater. Their research will provide significant environmental, economic and societal benefits by reducing water and energy use, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and advancing clean energy production.