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Plant-inspired polymers for water purification

A German-Japanese research team developed a polymer inspired by a protein found in plants to selectively remove harmful heavy-metal ions from water. The polymer achieves high specificity and efficiency, making it a promising solution for improving water treatment processes.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 29, 2024

Controlling ion transport for a blue energy future

A team from Osaka University demonstrates greater control of ion passage through a nanopore membrane by applying a voltage to a gate electrode. This leads to a six-fold increase in osmotic energy efficiency and a power density of 15 W/m^2, enabling the potential for scaling up the technology.

SourceOsaka University·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 30, 2024

A new understanding of ion exchange

A team from the Liu Lab has shown that there is a general pathway for lithium and sodium ion exchange in layered oxide cathode materials. This discovery enables researchers to predict intermediate states and create more efficient processes for synthesizing materials.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 16, 2024

Permselectivity reveals a cool side of nanopores

Scientists have found that by controlling ion flow through nanopores, they can achieve cooling. At high concentrations, increased heat was measured, but at low concentrations, negatively charged ions interacted with the nanopore wall, resulting in a decrease in temperature.

SourceOsaka University·JournalDevice·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 11, 2023

Study shows shaker channel mutation differs structurally from human potassium channels

A recent study led by Dr. Luis Cuello and Alain J. Labro found that a known Shaker channel mutation differs structurally from its human counterparts, with implications for drug development and ion transport mechanisms. The research reveals a unique conformation of the W434F mutant that is distinct from wild-type channels.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateOct 11, 2022