• A new desalination method produces drinking water from seawater without chemical additives.

• The solar-powered system uses specially engineered black metal to absorb sunlight.

• Its self-cleaning surface separates and collects salts, instead of dumping them as harmful brine waste.

• From the salts, the system can extract lithium, a key material for rechargeable batteries.

• The approach could help address global water shortages and growing mineral demand.