Mercury is very toxic and can cause long-term health damage, but removing it from water is challenging. With NIFA funding, researchers at the University of Minnesota (UMN) created a sponge that uses nanotechnology to absorb mercury from polluted water in seconds. The sponge can be used on tap water, industrial wastewater, and in lakes. It converts contaminants into nontoxic waste that can be disposed in a landfill. The sponge also kills bacterial and fungal microbes.
NIFA originally published this impact in the NIFA 2017 Annual Report. Want to read about more impacts like this? Check out Fresh from the Field, a weekly bulletin showcasing transformative impacts made by grantees funded by NIFA.
Farm Bill Priority Areas
Agriculture systems and technology;
Bioenergy, natural resources, and environment
U.S. States and Territories
Minnesota
