FAST-ACT toxin-destroying powder, artwork. FAST-ACT is a powder made of magnesium, titanium and oxygen, that absorbs and destroys toxins (red). FAST-ACT powders are used in situations ranging from chemical spills to gas releases in enclosed chambers. Each tiny grain of powder has an enormous surface area produced by nano-engineering methods, enabling it to rapidly soak up toxic materials. It can break up chemicals such as VX nerve gas and sulphuric acid. The nano-engineering techniques were developed by the US chemist Kenneth Klabunde, with this image published in 2005.