Biologically, a child (plural: children) is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty. The legal definition of child generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger than the age of majority.
Much as sponges soak up water and remove it from a surface, industrial sorbents collect molecules in fluids or gases. EU-funded scientists are developing carbon-based nanosorbents from vegetative waste for improved removal of industrial contaminants.