scholarly journals Large-scale, robust mushroom-shaped nanochannel array membrane for ultrahigh osmotic energy conversion

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (21) ◽  
pp. eabg2183
Author(s):  
Chao Li ◽  
Liping Wen ◽  
Xin Sui ◽  
Yiren Cheng ◽  
Longcheng Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Power Density ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mechanical Stability ◽  
Salinity Gradient ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Selective Layer ◽  
Nanochannel Array

The osmotic energy, a large-scale clean energy source, can be converted to electricity directly by ion-selective membranes. None of the previously reported membranes meets all the crucial demands of ultrahigh power density, excellent mechanical stability, and upscaled fabrication. Here, we demonstrate a large-scale, robust mushroom-shaped (with stem and cap) nanochannel array membrane with an ultrathin selective layer and ultrahigh pore density, generating the power density up to 22.4 W·m−2 at a 500-fold salinity gradient, which is the highest value among those of upscaled membranes. The stem parts are a negative-charged one-dimensional (1D) nanochannel array with a density of ~1011 cm−2, deriving from a block copolymer self-assembly; while the cap parts, as the selective layer, are formed by chemically grafted single-molecule–layer hyperbranched polyethyleneimine equivalent to tens of 1D nanochannels per stem. The membrane design strategy provides a promising approach for large-scale osmotic energy conversion.

Space Charge Enhanced Ion Transport in Heterogeneous Polyelectrolyte/Alumina Nanochannel Membranes for High-Performance Osmotic Energy Conversion

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen-Wei Chang ◽  
Chien-Wei Chu ◽  
Yen-Shao Su ◽  
Li-Hsien Yeh
Keyword(s):  
Ion Transport ◽  
Space Charge ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Salinity Gradient ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Energy Resources ◽  
Global Energy ◽  
Energy Demands ◽  
Selective Membrane

Capturing osmotic energy from a salinity gradient through an ion-selective membrane is regarded as one of the renewable clean energy resources to solve the increasing global energy demands. However, suffering...

scholarly journals 3D DNA structural barcode copying and random access

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filip Bošković ◽  
Alexander Ohmann ◽  
Ulrich F. Keyser ◽  
Kaikai Chen
Keyword(s):  
Data Storage ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Random Access ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Digital Information ◽  
Dna Nanostructures ◽  
Large Scale Production

AbstractThree-dimensional (3D) DNA nanostructures built via DNA self-assembly have established recent applications in multiplexed biosensing and storing digital information. However, a key challenge is that 3D DNA structures are not easily copied which is of vital importance for their large-scale production and for access to desired molecules by target-specific amplification. Here, we build 3D DNA structural barcodes and demonstrate the copying and random access of the barcodes from a library of molecules using a modified polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The 3D barcodes were assembled by annealing a single-stranded DNA scaffold with complementary short oligonucleotides containing 3D protrusions at defined locations. DNA nicks in these structures are ligated to facilitate barcode copying using PCR. To randomly access a target from a library of barcodes, we employ a non-complementary end in the DNA construct that serves as a barcode-specific primer template. Readout of the 3D DNA structural barcodes was performed with nanopore measurements. Our study provides a roadmap for convenient production of large quantities of self-assembled 3D DNA nanostructures. In addition, this strategy offers access to specific targets, a crucial capability for multiplexed single-molecule sensing and for DNA data storage.

scholarly journals Energy Harvesting from Brines by Reverse Electrodialysis Using Nafion Membranes

Membranes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmet H. Avci ◽  
Diego A. Messana ◽  
Sergio Santoro ◽  
Ramato Ashu Tufa ◽  
Efrem Curcio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Electrochemical Properties ◽  
Cation Exchange ◽  
Power Density ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance ◽  
Salinity Gradient ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Reverse Electrodialysis ◽  
Nafion Membranes ◽  
The Impact

Ion exchange membranes (IEMs) have consolidated applications in energy conversion and storage systems, like fuel cells and battery separators. Moreover, in the perspective to address the global need for non-carbon-based and renewable energies, salinity-gradient power (SGP) harvesting by reverse electrodialysis (RED) is attracting significant interest in recent years. In particular, brine solutions produced in desalination plants can be used as concentrated streams in a SGP-RED stack, providing a smart solution to the problem of brine disposal. Although Nafion is probably the most prominent commercial cation exchange membrane for electrochemical applications, no study has investigated yet its potential in RED. In this work, Nafion 117 and Nafion 115 membranes were tested for NaCl and NaCl + MgCl2 solutions, in order to measure the gross power density extracted under high salinity gradient and to evaluate the effect of Mg2+ (the most abundant divalent cation in natural feeds) on the efficiency in energy conversion. Moreover, performance of commercial CMX (Neosepta) and Fuji-CEM 80050 (Fujifilm) cation exchange membranes, already widely applied for RED applications, were used as a benchmark for Nafion membranes. In addition, complementary characterization (i.e., electrochemical impedance and membrane potential test) was carried out on the membranes with the aim to evaluate the predominance of electrochemical properties in different aqueous solutions. In all tests, Nafion 117 exhibited superior performance when 0.5/4.0 M NaCl fed through 500 µm-thick compartments at a linear velocity 1.5 cm·s−1. However, the gross power density of 1.38 W·m−2 detected in the case of pure NaCl solutions decreased to 1.08 W·m−2 in the presence of magnesium chloride. In particular, the presence of magnesium resulted in a drastic effect on the electrochemical properties of Fuji-CEM-80050, while the impact on other membranes investigated was less severe.

Synergistically enhanced single-atomic site catalysts for clean energy conversion

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fa Yang ◽  
Weilin Xu
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Atomic Level ◽  
Atomic Site ◽  
Structure Characteristics ◽  
Challenging Issue

The development of cost-effectiveness, high-performance catalysts at the atomic level has become a challenging issue for large-scale applications of renewable clean energy conversion. Featured with adjustable structure characteristics and maximum...

Composition Engineering of Organic–Inorganic Perovskites Prepared in Air for Highly Efficient Energy Conversion

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 592-598
Author(s):  
Yang Li ◽  
Ruiquan Liao
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Carrier Transport ◽  
Perovskite Solar Cells ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Energy Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Fabrication Process ◽  
Scale Production

The global energy crisis significantly raises the research on renewable energy materials and devices both in academic and industrial community. Besides the electrochemical energy such as batteries, the solar energy is another choice to develop renewable clean energy. During the last ten years, the perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has been a hot research topic and developed fast. However, large-scale production of PSCs is still hindered by the high cost of their fabrication process, because the perovskite films are known to be sensitive to oxygen and water. Therefore, developing a composition engineering in air for PSCs with high solar energy conversion efficiency is urgently required in the field. Herein, it is found that the crystallization and morphology of CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3) perovskite films prepared in air are dependent on the processing methods. The perovskite grain size becomes larger when the concentration of CH3NH3I (MAI) solution was increased from 20 mg/mL to 70 mg/mL, which is beneficial for charge carrier transport and device performance. Thanks to the optimal perovskite fabrication process, the champion PSC has been fabricated in open air and it shows a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.9%. More importantly, the PSC fabricated with our method shows good stability. This work provides an effective composition engineering to fabricate PSCs in air with both high PCE and stability.

scholarly journals Miniaturized Salinity Gradient Energy Harvesting Devices

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (18) ◽  
pp. 5469
Author(s):  
Wei-Shan Hsu ◽  
Anant Preet ◽  
Tung-Yi Lin ◽  
Tzu-En Lin
Keyword(s):  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Salinity Gradient ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Internal Resistance ◽  
Power Extraction ◽  
Gradient Energy ◽  
Energy Harvesting Devices

Harvesting salinity gradient energy, also known as “osmotic energy” or “blue energy”, generated from the free energy mixing of seawater and fresh river water provides a renewable and sustainable alternative for circumventing the recent upsurge in global energy consumption. The osmotic pressure resulting from mixing water streams with different salinities can be converted into electrical energy driven by a potential difference or ionic gradients. Reversed-electrodialysis (RED) has become more prominent among the conventional membrane-based separation methodologies due to its higher energy efficiency and lesser susceptibility to membrane fouling than pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO). However, the ion-exchange membranes used for RED systems often encounter limitations while adapting to a real-world system due to their limited pore sizes and internal resistance. The worldwide demand for clean energy production has reinvigorated the interest in salinity gradient energy conversion. In addition to the large energy conversion devices, the miniaturized devices used for powering a portable or wearable micro-device have attracted much attention. This review provides insights into developing miniaturized salinity gradient energy harvesting devices and recent advances in the membranes designed for optimized osmotic power extraction. Furthermore, we present various applications utilizing the salinity gradient energy conversion.

Energy Conversion using electrolytic concentration gradients

2015 ◽  
Vol 1774 ◽  
pp. 51-62
Author(s):  
Subramaniam Chittur K ◽  
Aishwarya Chandran ◽  
Ashwini Khandelwal ◽  
Sivakumar A
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Dynamic Condition ◽  
Salinity Gradient ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Ionic Concentration ◽  
Electrode System ◽  
Membrane Electrode ◽  
Concentration Gradients ◽  
Flow Rates

ABSTRACTSalinity gradient is an enormous source of clean energy. A process for potential generation from an ionic concentration gradient produced in single and multicell assembly is presented. The ionic gradient is created using a fuel cell type cell with a micro-porous ion exchange membrane, both anionic (AEM) and cationic (CEM). Various salinity gradients, Salt : Fresh, from 100 : 0 to 16000 : 0 was established using NaCl solution, in the electrode chambers. A potential of 20 mV/cm to 25 mV/cm can be realized at ambient temperatures and pressures for a bipolar AEM/CEM cell. The performance was optimized for various static and dynamic flow rates of the saline and fresh water. The cell performance can further be optimized for Membrane Electrode System (MES) morphology. A multicell unit was assembled and the results presented for various conditions like concentration gradients, flow rates and pressure. The thermodynamic and electrical efficiency needs to be evaluated for various gradients and flow rates. The relation with number of valance electrons/ ion and the potential generated changes for various dynamic condition of salinity. The higher the salinity gradient the larger is the potential generated. This is limited by the membrane characteristics. There exists a monotonic relation between the number of valence electron/ion/unit time and the potential generated up to about 16000 concentration. The membrane characteristics have been studied for optimal ion crossover for various gradients and flow. The graph between ln (gradient) versus Voltage provides insights into this process. This presents a very cost effective and clean process of energy conversion.

Capillarity-Driven Self-Assembly of Silver Nanowires-Coated Fibers for Flexible and Stretchable Conductor

NANO ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 1850146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Li ◽  
Jun Chen ◽  
Xiao Han ◽  
Yinghui Li ◽  
Ziqiang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mechanical Stability ◽  
Silver Nanowires ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Assembly Method ◽  
Linear Resistance ◽  
Conductive Fibers ◽  
High Flexibility

The rapid development of smart textiles requires the large-scale fabrication of conductive fibers. In this study, we develop a simple, scalable and low-cost capillary-driven self-assembly method to prepare conductive fibers with uniform morphology, high conductivity and good mechanical strength. Fiber-shaped flexible and stretchable conductors are obtained by coating highly conductive and flexible silver nanowires (Ag NWs) on the surfaces of yarn and PDMS fibers through evaporation-induced flow and capillary-driven self-assembly, which is proven by the in situ optical microscopic observation. The density of Ag NWs and linear resistance of the conductive fibers could be regulated by tuning the assembly cycles. A linear resistance of 1.4[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]/cm could be achieved for the Ag NWs-coated nylon, which increases only 8% after 200 bending cycle, demonstrating high flexibility and mechanical stability. The flexible and stretchable conductive fibers have great potential for the application in wearable devices.

Clathrin-Inspired Coating and Stabilization of Liposomes by DNA Self-Assembly

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin N. Baumann ◽  
Luca Piantanida ◽  
Javier García-Nafría ◽  
Diana Sobota ◽  
Kislon Voïtchovsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Mechanical Stability ◽  
Lipid Vesicles ◽  
The Self ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Atomic Force ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Liposome Surface ◽  
Dna Coating

The self-assembly of the protein clathrin on biological membranes facilitates essential processes of endocytosis in biological systems and has provided a source of inspiration for materials design by the highly ordered structural appearance. By mimicking the architecture of clathrin self-assemblies to coat liposomes with biomaterials, new classes of hybrid carriers can be derived. Here we present a method for fabricating DNA-coated liposomes by hydrophobically anchoring and subsequently growing a DNA network on the liposome surface which structurally mimics clathrin assemblies. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), ζ-potential and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) measurements independently demonstrate successful DNA coating. Nanomechanical measurements conducted with atomic force microscopy (AFM) show that the DNA coating enhances the mechanical stability of the liposomes relative to uncoated ones. Furthermore, we provide the possibility to reverse the coating process by triggering the disassembly of the DNA coating through a toehold-mediated displacement reaction. Our results describe a straightforward, versatile, and reversible approach for coating and stabilizing lipid vesicles by an interlaced DNA network. This method has potential for further development towards the ordered arrangement of tailored functionalities on the surfaces of liposomes and for applications as hybrid nanocarrier.

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