Baesang-min, a professor in the Department of Industrial Design at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), and his research team have received the highest design award in the world for a device that produces clean drinking water using only solar energy, without electricity or fuel.
On July 17, KAIST announced that the solar-powered purification and desalination device, called the 'Solarstill Box,' won the 'Best of the Best' award in the social impact category at the Red Dot Design Award: Design Concept 2026.
The Red Dot Design Award is considered one of the three major design awards globally, alongside Germany's iF Design Award and the American IDEA. The 'Best of the Best' award is given only to the top entries in each category.
The Solarstill Box is a low-cost purification and desalination device that converts seawater or contaminated water into drinking water through solar distillation. It was developed for off-grid areas that rely on coastal regions, saline zones, or polluted water sources, designed to produce clean water using only solar energy, without the need for electricity, fuel, or additional filters.
The device features a stepped tray inside to increase the evaporation surface area, enhancing distillation efficiency. The evaporated water vapor condenses on a transparent cover, naturally separating contaminants such as salt, heavy metals, and bacteria, resulting in clean water. It can produce up to 6 liters of water per day.
Additionally, it is made from flat components based on Plaveneer sheets, allowing for flat-pack shipping and easy assembly in about 20 minutes by anyone on-site. Maintenance costs are kept low as only damaged parts need to be replaced. The design encourages local residents to participate in installation and maintenance, rather than relying solely on one-time aid supplies.
Following this award, the research team plans to collaborate with World Vision to commercialize the product and establish local distribution models, with a long-term goal of expanding to a cooperative-based operational model where local residents are involved in manufacturing, distribution, and maintenance.
Professor Baesang-min stated, "Design should be a tool for solving social issues, not just creating beautiful products. I hope this sustainable water system will provide practical help to communities in need of clean drinking water."
In addition to this award, Professor Baesang-min has received over 70 international design awards, including three Red Dot Design Awards and four IDEA silver awards.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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