A nanobot particle made from glass is being developed that can absorb pollutants from contaminated water.

The glass particles act like sponges by attracting and binding contaminants to themselves and expanding eight times in size during the process.

But unlike a sponge, these nanobots are hydrophobic, meaning they don't absorb water.

Scientists claim this new technology could be used to clean petroleum spills or other hazardous chemicals from our waterways. After the particles are dropped into the water, they collect pollutants and then rise to the surface when fully expanded. The particles are then skimmed from the surface, cleaned and placed back into the water to repeat the process.