The materials that can absorb the most water are what are called "superabsorbent polymers." These polymers are plastics that are shaped like nets at the microscopic level and they can absorb large amounts of water relative to their weight. The best of these materials can absorb 500 times their weight in water. These materials are use for everything from diapers to artificial snow for motion picture and stage productions. The more salt there is in the water, the less water that can be absorbed by the plastic. For very salty water solutions, the polymers can absorb about 50 times their weight in water. Before superabsorbent polymers, the best materials for absorbing water were materials made from plants which could absorb about 11 times their weight in water.