Unmixing oil and water
A new filter that separates the two substances only using gravity could help clean oil spills
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/343319/title/Unmixing_oil_and_water
In my research (mostly literature at this point) regarding biofuels, separating oil from water is a significant element. Though this product appears to be in the experimental stage, the manufacturing process appears to be so simple that it could quickly make its way to market. I mention a new method to separate ethanol earlier, I think we might rather suddenly be subject to a paradigm shift that makes biofuels not only competitive, but quickly reach scale where it is more economical than the alternatives (i.e., fossil fuels). I have read so many depressing assessments of the potential of biofuel recently it is nice to have a reason to be optimistic.
It would be even better if I could somehow position myself to be a player in this area…
