New technologies are being invented to clean up oil
spills. One of them is ___1___
super absorbent membrane called giant "kitchen
towels". These towels ___2___
one day replace booms, bombs and detergents to mop
up a catastrophic oil spill. The wafer-thin sheet,
made from nanowires, ___3___
like blotting paper on oil and has the capacity to
absorb 20 times its ___4___
weight. Moreover, it is ___5___
to water, remaining dry even when left under water
for a month. At the same time, it soaks up oil and
___6___
contaminants, which can then be removed and disposed
of safely.
These huge "towels" could be dropped into the
seas or dragged ___7___
the water to soak up oil spills like those caused by
the Exxon Valdez. The invention was disclosed in the
journal, 'Nature Nanotechnology'. The research team
said that more research needs to be done before they
can be used commercially. |