The Matrix

Description

2019 Fourth Place, Northwestern Scientific Images Contest. Meet the OHM Sponge. This Oleophilic (likes oil), Hydrophobic (hates water), Magnetic porous material can be used to separate oil and water. This material can absorb 30x its weight in oil, making it an ideal material for recovering oil from an oil spill. Thespongeis made of a synthetic carbon backbone with a thin coating of iron-oxide nanoparticles and a carbon-based composite. In this close-up of thesponge, we can see bright green spots, which indicate iron-oxide nanoparticles.

Abstract

This image originally appeared as part of Northwestern Scientific Images Contest. The contest and subsequent exhibitions are organized by Science in Society, the University's research center for science education and public engagement. Further information and opportunities to participate are available on their website.

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