Taking Radioactive Contaminants From Water With Shells 50
RedEaredSlider writes "Crab shells may soon be used to take radioactive contaminants out of water. Joel Pawlak, an associate professor of forest biomaterials at North Carolina State University, has developed a material similar to foam rubber that absorbs water and attaches to molecules dissolved in it, leaving pure and potable water behind. The material is a combination of hemicellulose and chitosan. The first comes from wood and is extracted by the ton in the paper-making process. Chitosan is extracted from ordinary crustacean shells — primarily crab, shrimp and lobster — by treatment with hydrochloric acid and then sodium hydroxide."
Meanwhile a crowd of crab, shrimp and lobster ... (Score:3, Funny)
... are planning a march on Washington to protest.
Chitosan is extracted from ordinary crustacean shells — primarily crab, shrimp and lobster — by treatment with hydrochloric acid and then sodium hydroxide
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Hmmm . . . that is one treatment that I will try avoid, if possible . . .
Three Shells (Score:5, Funny)
We've known for years that three shells is all you need to remove common contaminants. Now, if only someone would post instructions...
Re:Meanwhile a crowd of crab, shrimp and lobster . (Score:2, Funny)
It's a polysaccharide, in which some of the saccharides are D-glucosamine, which is basic.