Extremely finely (laser) etched aluminum surfaces exposed to solar radiation could provide a wicking mechanism for extracting fresh water from brines or seawater, leaving behind salt crystals from which Li, etc, might be separated more efficiently than by trad methods.
www.bgr.com/2188365/sola...
Scientists in New York have created a special material that uses the sun to wick and evaporate seawater while separating out the salts and minerals.
