Magnetic Soap Will Reduce Environmental Impact In Case Of A Spill
The team of researchers at the University of Bristol, UK have made a soap that reacts to magnetic fields. It might be utilized to clean up oil spills without leaving behind detergents that can harm surrounding wildlife. During the experiment they dissolved iron particles in water that contained chlorine and bromine ions (commonly found in household products); thus a metallic centre within the soap particles that could be influenced by a nearby magnetic field was created. This soap was put in a test tube beneath layers of water and an oil-like substance, and using a magnet, they could overcome both gravity and surface tension to lift the soap through the layers and out of the tube. So, magnetic soap turned out to be easily collected after cleaning, actually reducing the environmental impact in case of disasters like oil spills.
Via:newscientist.com
