a method and an apparatus for desalinizing raw water are disclosed . the method can include wicking the raw water into a porous material by capillary action and heating the raw water in the porous material with a heating element to form water vapor . the water vapor then can be condensed to form purified water . the apparatus can include a chamber for holding raw water , a heating element , a sheet of porous material and a chamber for collecting water vapor evaporated from the raw water in the porous material .