Chemical and Engineering News, reports on more nanotube breakthroughs at Prof. Ajayans lab at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, creating easy to clean and reusable filters composed entirely of multiwalled carbon nanotubes. The filters have the ability to remove bacteria and viruses from water, eliminate heavy hydrocarbons from petroleum, and even separate a mixture of benzene and naphthalene.
While the mechanism is not yet fully understood, it is yet another nanotech related step on the path towards safe, clean and affordable water.