Science Advances Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a self - healing liquid membrane which allows larger particles to pass through , but not smaller ones - the opposite of most membranes . The reverse filter membrane combines deionised water and a surfactant and separates objects based on their different kinetic energies , separating each particle and allowing the membrane to repair itself . " You could add components that make the membrane last longer or components that allow it to block certain gases , " said the lab 's Birgitt Boschitsch .
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a self - healing liquid membrane which allows larger particles to pass through , but not smaller ones - the opposite of most membranes . The reverse filter membrane combines deionised water and a surfactant and separates objects based on their different kinetic energies , separating each particle and allowing the membrane to repair itself . " You could add components that make the membrane last longer or components that allow it to block certain gases , " said the lab 's Birgitt Boschitsch .