Environmental Clean Up With Nanotechnology Using Paper Like Nanowire Mat to Clean Oil Spills
Summary posted by Meridian on 6/1/2008
Source: AZoNano.com
Author: n/a
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the U.S. report that they have developed a paper-like membrane constructed of potassium manganese oxide nanowires that can absorb 20 times its weight in oil and allows the oil to be recovered, potentially leading to a new solution for cleaning up oil spills and removing organic pollutants from water. Researcher Francesco Stellacci explained that the membrane can “selectively absorb hydrophobic liquids-oil-like liquids-from water.” Once used, the oil can be removed from the membrane through evaporation and re-condensed into liquid. The membrane and the oil can then be reused. Researcher Jing Kong said that membrane could also be used in water purification, adding that the material could potentially be inexpensive to produce. Stellacci explained that the membrane is produced through a similar process as papermaking. The article can be viewed online at the link below.
The original article may still be available at www.azonano.com/news.asp?NewsID=6509
As tagged by Meridian Institute:
Materials And Manufacturing:
Materials, Fiber
Regions:
North America
Stakeholders:
Academia
Water And Sanitation:
Purification, Quality, Point of Use
Environment:
Remediation
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