Let it glow: Scientists develop new approach to detect ‘forever chemicals’ in water
From University of Birmingham 23/01/24 Researchers have created a new way to detect ‘forever chemical’ pollution in water, via a luminescent sensor. Scientists in Chemistry and Environmental Science at the University of Birmingham in collaboration with scientists from the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Germany’s Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, have developed […]
Desalination system could produce freshwater that is cheaper than tap water
From Massachusetts Institute of Technology 10/10/23 Engineers at MIT and in China are aiming to turn seawater into drinking water with a completely passive device that is inspired by the ocean, and powered by the sun. In a paper appearing today in the journal Joule, the team outlines the design for a new solar desalination […]
Cleaning water with ‘smart rust’ and magnets
From American Chemical Society 20/08/23 Pouring flecks of rust into water usually makes it dirtier. But researchers have developed special iron oxide nanoparticles they call “smart rust” that actually makes it cleaner. Smart rust can attract many substances, including oil, nano- and microplastics, as well as the herbicide glyphosate, depending on the particles’ coating. And […]
Microalgae find: Breaks down toxic mercury pollution in waterways
From DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory 10/08/23 In the search for ways to fight methylmercury in global waterways, scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory discovered that some forms of phytoplankton are good at degrading the potent neurotoxin. Phytoplankton, or microalgae, are known as accumulators of methylmercury. The plankton introduce methylmercury into the food chain, where it […]