Thermodiffusive desalination (TDD) is a novel approach to desalination that uses the thermodynamic effect of thermodiffusion to separate salt from water. This method is based on the migration of species due to temperature gradients, known as the Soret effect or thermophoresis. Unlike conventional desalination methods such as reverse osmosis (RO) and thermal-based methods, TDD does not require membranes or materials that degrade over time, making it a promising alternative for sustainable water treatment. The study demonstrates that TDD can achieve a significant reduction in salinity, with experimental results showing a salinity reduction of 450 ppm and 700 ppm from initial concentrations of 30,000 ppm (seawater) and 60,000 ppm (brine), respectively. A multi-pass system was implemented to increase the salinity reduction to over 2000 ppm. The TDD process was also tested with a multi-ion seawater substitute, where the separation of cations was observed and confirmed through molecular dynamics simulations. The TDD process is a materials-free method that relies on a simple concept and can be driven by low-grade thermal energy, such as solar thermal energy or industrial waste heat. It is a moderate-temperature process that can be implemented in environments where such energy is available. The study also proposes a cascaded structure, known as the Burgers cascade, which allows for scaling up TDD. This structure enables a theoretical concentration drop exceeding 25,000 ppm with a recovery rate of 10%, making it suitable for high-throughput desalination. The study highlights the advantages of TDD, including its ability to operate without materials that degrade over time, its low energy consumption, and its potential for use in conjunction with other desalination technologies. The results show that TDD can achieve a significant salinity reduction, making it a viable option for desalination applications. The study also discusses the potential of TDD as a pre-treatment method for high-salinity feedwater and its compatibility with other desalination technologies. Overall, TDD offers a promising alternative to conventional desalination methods, with the potential to address the global challenge of water scarcity.Thermodiffusive desalination (TDD) is a novel approach to desalination that uses the thermodynamic effect of thermodiffusion to separate salt from water. This method is based on the migration of species due to temperature gradients, known as the Soret effect or thermophoresis. Unlike conventional desalination methods such as reverse osmosis (RO) and thermal-based methods, TDD does not require membranes or materials that degrade over time, making it a promising alternative for sustainable water treatment. The study demonstrates that TDD can achieve a significant reduction in salinity, with experimental results showing a salinity reduction of 450 ppm and 700 ppm from initial concentrations of 30,000 ppm (seawater) and 60,000 ppm (brine), respectively. A multi-pass system was implemented to increase the salinity reduction to over 2000 ppm. The TDD process was also tested with a multi-ion seawater substitute, where the separation of cations was observed and confirmed through molecular dynamics simulations. The TDD process is a materials-free method that relies on a simple concept and can be driven by low-grade thermal energy, such as solar thermal energy or industrial waste heat. It is a moderate-temperature process that can be implemented in environments where such energy is available. The study also proposes a cascaded structure, known as the Burgers cascade, which allows for scaling up TDD. This structure enables a theoretical concentration drop exceeding 25,000 ppm with a recovery rate of 10%, making it suitable for high-throughput desalination. The study highlights the advantages of TDD, including its ability to operate without materials that degrade over time, its low energy consumption, and its potential for use in conjunction with other desalination technologies. The results show that TDD can achieve a significant salinity reduction, making it a viable option for desalination applications. The study also discusses the potential of TDD as a pre-treatment method for high-salinity feedwater and its compatibility with other desalination technologies. Overall, TDD offers a promising alternative to conventional desalination methods, with the potential to address the global challenge of water scarcity.