Eurekalert May 23, 2019
Researchers in Switzerland are working on a method to capture an energy source that’s constantly available at river estuaries: osmotic power, also known as blue energy. Blue energy relies on the chemical potential difference between solutions of high and low ionic concentrations, potentially providing an independent energy source at estuaries around the world. Single nanopores in molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2)-based membranes have shown record-high power outputs in alkaline conditions. By increasing the surface charge of MoS 2 membranes by light, we can double the osmotic power generated by a single nanopore at a neutral pH. The combination of increased surface charge at the pore rim and increased surface charge of the membrane could efficiently boost the energy generation using membranes containing arrays of nanopores of varying sizes…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLEÂ
Graphical abstract. Credit: https://www.cell.com/joule/pdfExtended/S2542-4351(19)30209-0