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For example, a finely dispersed hygroscopic powder, such as a salt, may become clumpy over time due to collection of moisture from the surrounding environment. Deliquescent materials are sufficiently hygroscopic that they dissolve in the water they absorb, forming an aqueous solution.
One example of Imbibition in nature is the absorption of water by hydrophilic colloids. Matrix potential contributes significantly to water in such substances. Dry seeds germinate in part by imbibition. Imbibition can also control circadian rhythms in Arabidopsis thaliana and (probably) other plants.
Water-absorbing polymers, which are classified as hydrogels when mixed, [3] absorb aqueous solutions through hydrogen bonding with water molecules. A SAP's ability to absorb water depends on the ionic concentration of the aqueous solution. In deionized and distilled water, a SAP may absorb 300 times its weight [4] (from 30 to 60 times its own ...
They can absorb water and other species with a critical diameter less than 4 Å such as NH 3, H 2 S, SO 2, CO 2, C 2 H 5 OH, C 2 H 6, and C 2 H 4. Bottle of 4A molecular sieves Some molecular sieves are used to assist detergents as they can produce demineralized water through calcium ion exchange, remove and prevent the deposition of dirt.
Nature has always been a powerful source of inspiration, with inventors diving into the world around them for new ideas. From the anatomy of animals to the behavior of plants, some of our most ...
Super-absorbent polymers (SAP) similar to sodium polyacrylate were developed in the 1960s by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. [3] Before the development of these substances, the best water absorbing materials were cellulosic or fiber-based like tissue paper, sponge, cotton, or fluff pulp.
Superhydrophobic coatings are also found in nature; they appear on plant leaves, such as the lotus leaf, and some insect wings. [4] This image shows highly absorbent filter paper coated with a super-hydrophobic paint developed at University College London. This repels water (which has been dyed orange for greater contrast)
While adsorption does often precede absorption, which involves the transfer of the absorbate into the volume of the absorbent material, alternatively, adsorption is distinctly a surface phenomenon, wherein the adsorbate does not penetrate through the material surface and into the bulk of the adsorbent. [4]