3D bikini absorbs water pollution

• comments
• 
• 

Ocean lovers can now swim, be fashionable and save the environment at the same time.

Engineers from the University of California (UC), Riverside and designers from New York-based architectural and design firm Eray Carbajo have developed a bikini which can absorb water pollutants like oil and other chemicals, Live Science reported.

Also known as the "Spongesuit," the 3D-printed bikini is made of synthetic rubber and Sponge, a recyclable padding material made from heated sucrose -- a compound found in sugarcane. The highly porous material can absorb up to 25 times its own weight and can be used up to 20 times before it needs to be replaced, Mirror informed.

Researchers started to develop the Sponge four years ago in the hopes of creating a material that could help clean oil and chemical spills, and even desalinize water.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration informed that oil spills destroy "the insulating ability of fur-bearing mammals, such as sea otters, and the water repellency of a bird's feathers, thus exposing these creatures to the harsh elements. Without the ability to repel water and insulate from the cold water, birds and mammals will die from hypothermia."

"This is a supermaterial that is not harmful to the environment and [is] very cost-effective to produce," said Mihri Ozkan, a member of the research team and an electrical engineering professor at UC Riverside's Bourns College of Engineering.

The Spongesuit is non-toxic and safe to use. The pollutants are locked inside the pores of the material, keeping it away from the skin. It will not release any of the substances it absorbs unless subjected to temperatures exceeding 1,832 degrees Fahrenheit (1,000 degrees Celsius).

Moreover, the hydrophobic material does not absorb water, keeping the bikini light and easy to wear.

"Spongesuit is a preliminary effort to create an actively eco-conscious wearable technology," said the team. They added that they want to create a future where everyone can contribute to the cleanliness of the seas while enjoying sports activity or simply having a leisurely summer vacation.

The Spongesuit was recognized in this year's Reshape 15, an international wearable technology design competition. The team was awarded 1,500 euros (about $1,700.00) for their innovation.

Sponge is just one of the revolutionary "smart textiles" or fabrics which merge fashion with technology, being developed. Recent breakthroughs include a conductive cotton material that can charge an iPhone through solar panels, a wearable net that can store and release insecticides to help fight malaria, and fabrics capable of killing 99.9 percent of bacteria.