A University of Texas at El Paso doctoral student has developed a groundbreaking method for desalinating brine, potentially transforming the way the world tackles water scarcity.
Motivated by a professor’s challenge to convert brine into a valuable resource, Tattya Oddonetto, a doctoral student in environmental science and engineering at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), has made significant strides in solving water scarcity.
“During class, the professor said that if someone discovered how to turn brine, water with a high salt concentration, into something of value, it’d be revolutionary for the planet,” Oddonetto said in a news release. “At that moment, I told myself I was going to be the one who found the solution for brine, and that thought has never left me.”
Oddonetto’s determination culminated in a first-place win at the National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Centers Perfect Pitch Competition. She secured vital funding for her research on salt-free electrodialysis metathesis, a novel desalination method that can convert over 90% of salt water into fresh water, surpassing the capabilities of traditional reverse osmosis (RO).
Traditional RO processes are prevalent but limited, converting only up to 85% of salt water into fresh water and leaving behind concentrated brine. This leftover brine often undergoes deep-well injection, posing environmental risks and wasting valuable metals and minerals such as lithium, essential for producing electronics.
Oddonetto’s salt-free electrodialysis metathesis, detailed in the December 2024 issue of the journal Desalination, addresses these issues by passing brine through ion exchange membranes using electrical currents to separate salt from water at the molecular level.
“Tayia’s research will help public utilities save money while enabling people nationwide to reduce their utility bills in a meaningful way, advancing society’s aim of water conservation,” Ivonne Santiago, an associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at UTEP and Oddonetto’s doctoral advisor, said in the news release. “In the next few years, I anticipate that we will see Tayia’s research applied on a large scale and fully see the tremendous benefit her work can have on humankind. Her journey is a testament to her perseverance, the importance of working on challenging problems and the value of a strong work ethic and positive attitude.”
The innovative method shows potential in generating higher levels of valuable metals and minerals, which can be repurposed across various industries, including technology, health and food.
“Earning an award and funding for my research is incredibly validating. This is a complex and difficult challenge to tackle and the journey has been full of roadblocks and setbacks,” Oddonetto added. “But I kept at it, and to be recognized for the value of my work is proof that all my effort and belief in this project was worthwhile.”
Looking ahead, Oddonetto will collaborate with the National Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI), El Paso Water, the Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination plant, New Mexico State University and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to conduct multiple live experiments. These experiments aim to refine the salt-free electrodialysis metathesis process to make it more cost-efficient and scalable.