Phys.org May 30, 2024 Nanofluidic channels in a membrane represent a promising avenue for harnessing blue energy from salinity gradients. Surface charge is a central player in the osmotic energy conversion process. An international team of researchers (Japan, Italy) present a field-effect approach for in situ manipulation of the ion selectivity in a nanopore. Application of voltage to a surround-gate electrode allowed precise adjustment of the surface charge density at the pore wall. Leveraging the gating control, they demonstrated perm selectivity turnover to enhanced cation selective transport in multipore membranes, resulting in a 6-fold increase in the energy conversion efficiency. […]
Tag Archives: Blue energy
Producing electricity at estuaries using light and osmosis
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 […]