MIT’s Quicker Picker-Upper
This is cool…
Using nanowire technology scientists at MIT have developed a kind of paper that can absorb up to 20 times its weight in oil. Why is that such cool news? It doesn’t absorb water, so this material can be used to clean up oil spills in the ocean or other bodies of water.
Aside from the initial environmental benefit through cleanup, the nanowire material can be heated to allow the removal of the oil and the nanowire mesh can be reused again and again. Likewise, the oil can also be fully recovered for use.
The nanowire mesh “paper” absorbs hydrophobic, or oil-like liquids, that do not mix with water. Francesco Stellacci, an associate professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, commented, “Our material can be left in water a month or two, and when you take it out it’s still dry. But at the same time, if that water contains some hydrophobic contaminants, they will get absorbed.”
Amazingly there are people who point out the flaws of science and technological development, but there are many more scientific innovations that help and advance our civilization. This is just another example of the benefits of scientific research.
For a complete article on this new material click here.
