Nepenthes (image: Ministry of Environment)
SEOUL, July 13 (Korea Bizwire) — An innovative oil scoop net designed to assist in the cleanup of oil spills at sea has been developed based on the insect-catching mechanism of a carnivorous plant.
A joint research team from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology and Korea University said Wednesday it had developed an eco-friendly oil scoop net made of cellulose material to deal with highly viscous oil, including low-sulfur oil.
Low-sulfur oil is highly viscous and has the property of hardening like a solid if it’s mixed with cold seawater. It’s difficult to remove it with existing oil cleanup equipment.
Based on the concept that it’s more effective to remove low sulfur oil by scooping it, the research team developed the new oil scoop net based on the principle of how the insect-eating plant nepenthes catches insects.
On the surface of the nepenthes’ hydatid cyst are trichomes that can easily absorb water to ensure the maintenance of a solid and thick water lubricant layer, thereby making the feet of insects slip.
Based on the concept of the nepenthes’ trichome structure, the research team developed a nano trichome to make the solid water lubricant layer remain on the surface of the material.
Oil was easily collected in the scoop net made of this material, while water permeated it smoothly.
The research team tested the effectiveness of the oil scoop net in a low-sulfur oil spill area at sea and succeeded in collecting 1 ton of oil in a single day.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
