Comment by Robert Kriss, C2ST, Editor
Research chemists at Northwestern University’s Institute for Sustainability and Energy have engineered cup-shaped molecules from corn that can grab and neutralize carcinogens in our water supply. Very low concentrations of the carcinogens can significantly increase the risk of cancer. For example, just a few drops of the carcinogens, containing millions of potentially cancer-causing molecules, in a volume of water found in an Olympic-sized swimming pool can cause trouble. The molecular catcher’s mitts are equally small: Millions of them can fit into a space the size of a sugar-cube. Filters equipped with the breakthrough material remove the carcinogens from water more effectively than commonly used activated carbon filters, and the filters can be reused after a simple washing step that takes place at room temperature. The researchers have started a company, CycloPure, to commercialize this material for home and institutional use. Now that’s a use of corn that nobody saw coming. This innovation is another example of the extraordinary ingenuity of Chicago-area scientists who are developing technologies that matter. Click here to learn more about this exciting research and startup.
By Mike M. McMahon
Originally Posted at Northwestern
Think about the last time you spoke to someone. Did you consciously think about the…
Imagine standing close enough to a fire that the heat would make you instinctively step…
“Are we alone in the universe?” For thousands of years, the question has stumped humanity.…
You always hear people say “look ahead” or “hold your head high,” but I would…
Have you ever wondered why almost everyone instinctively smiles when they see a baby? Even…
For the citizens of Chicago, the summer of 2026 has not been all sunshine and…