Argonne Sponge

This sponge could revolutionize oil spill cleanups

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1.3 Million gallons of petroleum are spilled into U.S. waters in a typical year, according to the U.S. Department of emergency. Removing oil from underwater can be tricky and sometimes requiring chemicals but this sponge can absorb oil from the surface and underwater.

The oleo sponge can absorb oil up to 90 times its weight. It was created by a group of researchers at the Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois. The sponge is made out of foam and has a metal oxide 'primer'. It can be reused multiples times. The team is looking to commercialize the product.