Reverse liquid sieve lets only large particles pass

This image is an overlay of time-lapse optical images showing the unusual particle separation of a self-healing, free-standing liquid membrane

Source: © Birgitt Boschitsch Stogin and Tak-Sing Wong, Penn State University

Soap film that retains smaller particles while letting bigger ones through could be useful in open surgery or water-free toilets

Whether to block contaminants from entering wounds during surgery or making water-free toilets less smelly, a soap film supported on a metal ring could provide a solution. The liquid membrane acts as a reverse sieve: it stops smaller particles or gasses but lets larger particles pass.