Written by Desh

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico forced researchers to think of some quick measures to limit its horrendous impact. Now this time, a University of Central Florida professor Sudipta Seal proposes to modify flyash – a waste material from electric plants – into a cleaning agent for speedy cleanup of the oil spill. The flyash will preserve the oil’s energy-generating capabilities, and could be re-used once the oil is burned off.

Seal will work with Larry Hench, a renowned ceramic materials professor, to develop the flyash and prepare a process for deployment. A low-cost mesh packaging material will recover the flyash from the water. It will then be transported to a coal-burning power plant for fueling production processes. Sudipta has won a $67,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for his project.

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