Czech scientists from the University of Chemical Technology in Prague have invented mini-robots for extracting microplastics from the world ocean. This is reported by the ScienceNewsForStudents portal [...] .
Magnetic robots are no bigger than the tip of a sharpened pencil. When the light falls on the device, chemical reactions are triggered, thanks to which the tiny bot moves in the water in a certain direction. When a microplastic particle is found, the device begins to destroy it. It can also attach itself to the garbage, so that it is easier to detect it in the most practical way.
The project was headed by chemist Martin Pumera (Martin Pumera). He noted that the ultimate goal of scientists is to create cheap and environmentally friendly robots that can be used anywhere in the world. According to him, first of all, such a technology can be useful in wastewater treatment plants, since mini-robots will be able to remove plastic before it gets into the open sea.
Earlier, British student Fionn Ferreira proposed to clean nature from microplastics with a magnetic liquid. He developed a substance with which you can filter water, purifying it from harmful impurities.
Ksenia Nazarova