Polymer chemistry is fairly new and began in the 1940s as a way to recreate substances, such as rubber and polyurethane, that were not available to Allied and Axis forces during World War II. More recently, super absorbent polymers are used in commercial products including baby diapers and specialized potting soils (to help retain water).  One common super absorbent polymer, Sodium polyacrylate, belongs to a family of water loving or hydrophilic polymers and has the ability to absorb up to 800 times its weight in distilled water.  Differences in the chemical composition of the liquid interact with the chemical composition of the polymer to produce different rates of absorption. 

Although it might seem counterintuitive to think that a center concerned with discovering new ways of producing, desalination or decontaminating water would be interested in super absorbent polymers, in fact researchers are very interested in looking at how super absorbent polymers can be used in landscaping and on farms to reduce the amount of water needed.  Conservation is still a crucial part of The WaterCAMPWS's mission.

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