We live in times when solutions come very late and long after crisis destroys everything but nevertheless we must appreciate the fact that solutions are being worked out for next crisis. The Gulf of Mexico oil spill was a rude awakening about shortcomings of our technology in cleaning up and protecting our oceans. MIT researchers have been working on the problem and now with the use of modern nanotechnology they have devised and designed prototype Seaswarm Robot which can move over ocean surface and absorb the oil more effectively than the skimmers.
Nearly 70 percent of our blue planet is covered with water and we haven't spared deep oceans in our search of oil and sea food. It takes an unfortunate disaster like Deepwater Horizon leak to make us realize the dark side of all our endeavors. Much marine life must have got choked on oil and we cannot even comprehend or assess the damage. In such sad times it is good news that researchers and engineers are designing new clean up systems.
Seaswarm robot is simply a machine which consists of conveyor belt made of nanowire mesh that can absorb surface oil and repel water. It also heats and burns up the oil locally. This system is powered by solar energy and is very inexpensive. The initial prototype will be displayed in Italian pavilion at Venice Biennale which begins today.
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