Containing oil spills: Nano-coated mesh could clean oil spills for less than $1 per square foot

Date: April 15, 2015
Source: Ohio State University

The unassuming piece of stainless steel mesh in a lab at The Ohio State University doesn't look like a very big deal, but it could make a big difference for future environmental cleanups.

Water passes through the mesh but oil doesn't, thanks to a nearly invisible oil-repelling coating on its surface.

In tests, researchers mixed water with oil and poured the mixture onto the mesh. The water filtered through the mesh to land in a beaker below. The oil collected on top of the mesh, and rolled off easily into a separate beaker when the mesh was tilted.

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