  Solar-driven interface steam generator (SISG) is a most promising technology
for seawater desalination and wastewater purification. A shape- and
size-controlled, low-cost, eco-friendly solar-absorber material is urgently
desired for practical application of SISG. Herein, we proposed a facile,
sustainable and scalable approach to produce tailored SISG with controlled
macromorphology derived from flour via "dough figurine" technology which is
originated from the China Han Dynasty. Three kinds of self-floated flour-based
absorbers i.e. near-cylindrical (integrated), near-spherical (loose packing)
and powdery (dense packing) absorber used as SISGs were discussed, we found
that the macromorphology significantly influences water transport and
interfacial thermal management of SISG, the integrated absorber has an
overwhelming advantage, which possesses a high evaporation efficiency 71.9% at
normal solar illumination. The proposed "dough figurine" technology breaks the
limitations of the inherent geometry of reported biomass based SISG, which
provides an important guidance for SISG use in remote and impoverished areas.
