To test his theory, he treated the polyethylene to make it more hydrophilic, or "water-loving".

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His company's solution is to incorporate super-hydrophilic (i.e. water-loving) nanoparticles into a reverse osmosis membrane.

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Using a similar approach, the firm wants to cover the surface of a bottle with hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repellent) materials.

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