Embodiments of the present disclosure provide structures or membranes including photothermal nanomaterials, devices including the structure, methods of use, methods of desalination, and the like. A DMA controller is described which is implemented as a multiprocessing transfer engine supporting multiple transfer controllers which may work independently or in cooperation to carry out data transfers, with each transfer controller acting as an autonomous processor, fetching and dispatching DMA instructions to multiple execution units. The three-dimensional pore network structure formed in the electrode allows for improved mobility of lithium ions in the electrode.