Some things try to resist detection. Like uranium residue in water.
Now, a chemistry student from Ireland has developed a system that removes microplastic from water.
At 12 years old, he discovered that oil could be used to attract plastic. Mixing plant oil with iron oxide powder he created a magnetic liquid.
After blending with microplastics and water, the plastics attached themselves to the ferrofluid, meaning they could be easily removed with a magnet.
Now 20, the young Irishman wants to develop a device that captures microplastics from running water, in water pipes for example.
If fitted to ships, a similar system could help extract plastics from our oceans.
Perhaps it’s time we trusted the younger generation a little more…
