Nanorobots offer promising solution to plastic pollution

Researchers have developed tiny magnetic robots, about 200 nanometers in size, that can effectively capture and remove nanoscopic plastic particles from water. In just two hours, these nanorobots were able to remove over 90% of polystyrene nanoplastics from a 5mm water sample. The nanorobots are designed to move in response to a magnetic field and stick to the nanoplastics through electrostatic attraction. The innovative approach could offer a more efficient method for addressing the challenging issue of nanoplastic pollution in water compared to conventional filtration methods. While further testing is needed, particularly in complex environments like oceans, this nanorobot technology presents a promising solution for cleaning up these tiny plastic fragments. (New Scientist)