Recent oil spills in Russia and Mauritius have shown that the industry still needs better methods for cleaning up accidents. Researchers are working on some unlikely-sounding solutions, including oil-absorbing wood chips, a solar-powered robot and a reusable sponge. The oil industry is controlled by large companies and their suppliers, which together have often been the cause of spills, but university researchers and small firms are playing a key role in promoting new ways to clean up.

Source: Wall Street Journal August 29, 2020 12:56 UTC