Scientists craft graphene filter that turns seawater drinkable fast This is one of those solutions physicists have been rushing to produce for half a century. What this article doesn't talk about, is how you can also use it for a generator. Already, there are experimental electrical power plants where rivers meet the ocean, that run salt water in one direction on one side of the membrane, and clean water on the other side, going in the opposite direction, to generate electricity. If they can make it cheap enough, every house and boat in the world could have one.