Xu tells us that the hydrogel is hydrophilic (water-attracting) at cool temperatures, but becomes hydrophobic (water-repelling) when heated. Pollutants such as organic dyes (which were used in lab ...

Worldwide, over two billion people lack reliable access to clean water. And one potential solution for meeting that need works a lot like a sponge, soaking up clean water while leaving contaminants ...

A gel full of porous holes, inspired by the dried core of the loofah fruit, can clean contaminated water by absorbing and releasing it, powered only by the heat of the sun. It could be used to provide ...

A new low-cost, sustainable polymer gel film produced by University of Texas researchers may hold the key to aiding water scarcity in two-thirds of the global population. The thin and porous film, ...