Current nanotechnology research focus include (i) low cost and low energy method to "sweeten" sour gas, that is to remove contaminants such as CO2 and Sulfur and (ii) a process for removing hydrocarbons from oil sands/tar sands without the use of water. Water usage is a major problem in recovering oil from oil sands, as clay is normally a component of the feedstock. When water is used the very fine clay forms a colloidal suspension that contaminates water for years, possibly decades, and the water can neither be reused for other purposes nor returned to the environment.