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Scientists remove colour from whisky and Cognac

Scientists at the University of Manchester have created a graphene-based sieve capable of removing colour from whisky and Cognac.

Scientists at the University of Manchester have made whisky and Cognac clear

Previously, graphene oxide membranes were shown to be completely impermeable to all solvents except for water.

The group of scientists from the School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science at The University of Manchester have now personalised the membrane to allow all solvents to pass through.

The ultra-thin membrane can now sieve out the smallest of particles, such as organic dyes as small as a nanometre dissolved in methanol.

Professor Rahul Nair at the National Graphene Institute Nair, who led the experiment, said: “Just for a fun, we even filtered whisky and Cognac through the graphene-oxide membrane.

“The membrane allowed the alcohol to pass through but removed the larger molecules, which gives the amber colour. The clear whisky smells similar to the original whisky but we are not allowed to drink it in the lab, however it was a funny Friday night experiment!”

By using ultra-thin membranes, the experiment proves that there is potential for organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN).

Unlike sea water desalination, which separate salts from water, OSN technology separates charged or uncharged organic compounds from an organic solvent.

Graphene, which is known for its versatile superlatives, is stronger than steel, flexible, bendable and one million times thinner than a human hair.

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