Scientists invented an oil spill “magic eraser.” We want to know: does it work? Is it scalable? And what’s its environmental impact?

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Watch the original episode on Argonne National Laboratory here ►    • This sponge sucks oil spills right ou...  

Following an oil spill, insitu burning is commonly used to burn oil from the surface of ocean water. But could a tiny magnetic sponge be a cheaper, more environmentally friendly solution to clean the millions of gallons of oil spilled into the ocean yearly?

Scientists have created a special material by modifying polyurethane foam that can suck oil out of water to be reused.

So, how far could this tech go in solving environmental disasters? The Hard Reset Podcast hosts sit down to discuss the potential this small sponge has to create enormous ripple effects.

0:00 Welcome to the Hard Reset Podcast
0:49 What makes this a Hard Reset?
06:30 How can we scale this technology?
08:40 How easy is this sponge material to make?
24:56 What was the audience response to this tech?
29:09 What products are made using oil and natural gas?
31:17 What should we have gone deeper into this episode?
37:09 What were the meanest comments we got?

Watch on Freethink.com ►https://www.freethink.com/series/hard...

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Read more of our stories on future technology:
Inventions that are fighting the rise of facial recognition technology
►https://www.freethink.com/robotsai/a...
The technology we (or aliens) need for longdistance interstellar travel
► https://www.freethink.com/transportat...
3 emerging technologies that will give renewable energy storage a boost
►https://www.freethink.com/energy/emer...
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Watch our original series:
► Hard Reset:    • Hard Reset by Freethink  
► Future of Cities:    • Future of Cities  
► Just Might Work:    • Just Might Work by Freethink  
► Challengers:    • Challengers by Freethink  

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About Freethink
No politics, no gossip, no cynics. At Freethink, we believe the daily news should inspire people to build a better world. While most media is fueled by toxic politics and negativity, we focus on solutions: the smartest people, the biggest ideas, and the most ground breaking technology shaping our future.
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