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A Biomimetic, Self‐Pumping Membrane
Author(s) -
Jun InKook,
Hess Henry
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201001694
Subject(s) - membrane , micropump , materials science , nanotechnology , fuel cells , proton exchange membrane fuel cell , channel (broadcasting) , computer science , engineering , chemical engineering , chemistry , electrical engineering , biochemistry
Biological membranes accelerate materials exchange by active, ATP‐dependent transport through specialized channel proteins. Similarly, the integration of “pumping” driven by chemical energy harvested from the fluid into a synthetic membrane is highly desirable from an engineering point of view. Here, a novel membrane integrating an electroosmotic micropump with a fuel cell is described. Future applications of such self‐pumping membranes operating with a variety of fuels may include implantable or remotely operating autonomous devices and membrane‐based purification systems.