Berlin glaze is the basis of microscopic robots that will purify water from plastic particles. “Nanocleaners” were created by scientists from South Korea.

Berlin blue is a blue pigment that has been known for several centuries. It contains iron, carbon and nitrogen. Scientists have discovered that it can be used to make porous structures that can trap tiny fragments of plastic in water. They can also transport “garbage” in a given direction using a laser beam.

A team from the National Science and Technology Research Council has discovered that it can be used to make porous structures that can trap tiny pieces of plastic. They can also transport plastic in a given direction if a laser beam is directed at them.

The scientists transformed the dye into metal-organic frameworks—three-dimensional polymer structures that embed themselves into plastic particles. During tests, nanorobots successfully captured up to 99% of plastic fragments with a diameter of up to 150 nanometers. Their results were 250 times better than other products for removing plastic from water. At the same time, nanorobots are safe for humans and can be easily removed after completion of work, Water Research reports.

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