Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 29, 2025

Fine-tuning the Size and Minimizing the Noise of Solid-state Nanopores
Published on: October 31, 2013
Electrostatic gating of ion transport in carbon nanotube porins: A modeling study
Yun-Chiao Yao1, Zhongwu Li1, Alice J Gillen1
1Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA.
Abstract:
Carbon nanotube porins (CNTPs) are biomimetic membrane channels that demonstrate excellent biocompatibility and unique water and ion transport properties. Gating transport in CNTPs with external voltage could increase control over ion flow and selectivity. Herein, we used continuum modeling to probe the parameters that enable and further affect CNTP gating efficiency, including the size and composition of the supporting lipid membrane, slip flow in the carbon nanotube, and the intrinsic electronic properties of the nanotube. Our results show that the optimal gated CNTP device consists of a semiconducting CNTP inserted into a small membrane patch containing an internally conductive layer. Moreover, we demonstrate that the ionic transport modulated by gate voltages is controlled by the charge distribution along the CNTP under the external gate electric potential. The theoretical understanding developed in this study offers valuable guidance for the design of gated CNTP devices for nanofluidic studies, novel biomimetic membranes, and cellular interfaces in the future.
Related Concept Videos
Non-gated Ion Channels
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism....
The Significance of Membrane Transport
Transporters facilitate either an active or passive movement of solutes. They can allow a single-molecule transport down its...
Electrochemical Gradient and Channel Proteins: An Overview
The electrical gradient: The electrical gradient across cell membranes refers to the difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a cell. This difference drives the movement of ions towards or away from the cells. For instance, if the inside of the cell is more negatively charged relative to...
Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that...
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Facilitated Transport

