University conceives 3D printed bikini capable of absorbing ocean contaminants
An innovative group of engineers and students at the University of California have hit upon an innovative way of cleaning up our beaches, after devising a 3D printed bikini that is capable of soaking up ocean borne contaminants.
Fashioned from a material named Sponge the dinky garment is capable of absorbing oil and chemicals courtesy of a composition that is both porous and hydrophobic – meaning it repels water whilst retaining the ability to soak up other elements.
Professor Mihri Ozkan commented: “This is a super material that is not harmful to the environment and very cost-effective to produce.”
The novel material is said to be capable of absorbing 25 times its own mass in pollutants, releasing them back into the environment only when exposed to temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees and is said to remain effective for up to 20 uses.