1 (IMAGE) DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Caption UC Berkeley chemists synthesized flexible polymer membranes, like those currently used in membrane separation processes, but embedded with nanoparticles that can be tuned to absorb specific metal ions - gold or uranium ions, for example. The membrane can incorporate a single type of tuned nanoparticle if the metal is to be recovered - or several different types, each tuned to absorb a different metal or ionic compound if multiple contaminants need to be removed in one step. Credit Adam Uliana/UC Berkeley Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.