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MIT Develops "Paper Towel" For Oil Spills

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the cleanup-on-ocean-three dept.

TheUnknownCoder writes "MIT scientists have created a Nanowire mesh that can selectively absorb hydrophobic (oil-like) liquids from water up to 20 times its weight. The membrane can be recycled many times for future use, and the oil itself can also be recovered. There's even a video of it in action, removing gasoline from water."

8 of 105 comments (clear)

  1. In other news Oil Tanker crews.... by g0bshiTe · · Score: 4, Funny

    are enjoying rum being brought back aboard ship en masse.

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    I am Bennett Haselton! I am Bennett Haselton!
  2. What else does it absorb? by name*censored* · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does it absorb other liquids as well? If this absorbent power works as well as advertised for other fluids, I may have to petition MIT to release this fabric in sock-form.


    Oh.. umm, so I can uhh.. dry my feet. Yeah, that's it. Feet.

    --
    Commodore64_love: I don't comprehend people who're so frightened of death that they'll bankrupt themselves to stay alive
  3. finally :) by jacquesm · · Score: 5, Funny

    When we completely run out of oil we will have found the perfect solution to clean up the environment...

    Also, by that time the ability to recover the last bits of oil from the oceans from spills in the past will be fought over with tremendous military might, even if it's done from rowing boats.

    Now I know why there are so many people in prison, it's to supply our future stock of galley slaves powering the next global war.

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    1. Re:finally :) by maxume · · Score: 5, Funny

      Nuclear powered liposuction is equally as ridiculous, and it would probably result in more fuel, at least the first time around.

      --
      Nerd rage is the funniest rage.
    2. Re:finally :) by maxume · · Score: 2, Funny

      I advocate turning other people into fuel.

      I'll be old someday, but I'll never be someone else.

      --
      Nerd rage is the funniest rage.
  4. Re:Human hair is awesome too... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
    I was only following orders!

    © Rudolf Hoess

  5. Don't forget Cherokee hair! by DaFork · · Score: 5, Funny

    Human hair does a great job of adsorbing oil
    I hear that Cherokee hair is the most absorbent material in the world!
  6. They should just use this instead... by Justin+Hopewell · · Score: 2, Funny

    There was an article on The Onion years ago about a new three-ply Bounty paper towel that was supposed to be so absorbent, moisture would be pulled into it, whereupon the liquid would go through a rigorous "Moisture Punishment System". If you didn't reseal the roll in its special case when you weren't using it, it could absorb all the moisture in the room and asphyxiate you. When asked if they were thinking about introducing a four-ply version, the Bounty spokesperson said, "Oh, no. That would be playing God."