Reusable nanoparticle-coated sponge removes heavy metals from water
Removing heavy metal pollutants from water could soon be easier than ever, thanks to an experimental new sponge. With just one treatment, the device brought contaminated water down to safely drinkable levels.Building upon two previous studies, the technology is being developed by scientists at Illinois' Northwestern University.The researchers started out with a cheap commercially available cellulose sponge, and placed it in a slurry of manganese-doped goethite nanoparticles. They then removed it, let it dry, and rinsed it…