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The chemical and physical properties of plasma membranes cause them to be selectively permeable. Since plasma membranes have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, substances need to be able to transverse both regions. The hydrophobic area of membranes repels substances such as charged ions. Therefore, such substances need special membrane proteins to cross a membrane successfully. In  facilitated transport, also known as facilitated diffusion, molecules and ions travel across a...
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Pore transport and ion-pair formation are critical mechanisms for the absorption and distribution of drugs in the body.
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The transport of solutes across the cell membrane is essential for metabolic processes, like maintaining cell size and volume, generating the action potential, exchanging nutrients and gases, etc. Membrane transport can be either passive or active. It can be simple diffusion, facilitated, or mediated transport aided by transport proteins such as transporters and channels.
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Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...
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The movement of ions like sodium, potassium, and calcium into and out of the cell is essential to maintain the electrochemical gradient in living cells. The ion channels—a class of membrane transport proteins—help maintain this ionic gradient for the smooth functioning of physiological activities such as maintaining cell size and volume, conducting nerve impulses, and gas and nutrient exchange.
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Updated: Sep 29, 2025

Fine-tuning the Size and Minimizing the Noise of Solid-state Nanopores
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Light-Controlled Ionic/Molecular Transport through Solid-State Nanopores and Nanochannels.

Jiahao Lu1,2,3, Yanan Jiang1,2, Ping Yu2

  • 1College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, P. R. China.

Chemistry, an Asian Journal
|March 24, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Inspired by nature, artificial nanochannels offer remote control over ion and molecular transport. This review explores light-controlled nanopores for applications in sensing, water purification, and energy conversion.

Keywords:
Ion channelsIon pumpsIon transportLight-responsive

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Area of Science:

  • Nanotechnology
  • Biophysics
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Biological nanochannels regulate transmembrane transport essential for life.
  • Artificial solid-state nanopores and nanochannels are inspired by biological systems.
  • Light-controlled nanopores offer remote, spatial, and temporal regulation of transport.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a systematic overview of light-controlled ion channels and ion pumps.
  • To discuss applications of solid-state nanopores/nanochannels.
  • To offer insights into future developments in the field.

Main Methods:

  • Review of light-controlled solid-state nanopores/nanochannels based on photo-responsive components.
  • Categorization into light-regulated ion channels (gating, rectification) and light-driven ion pumps (active transport).
  • Discussion of applications including molecular sensing, water purification, and energy conversion.

Main Results:

  • Light-controlled nanochannels can function as ion gates, rectifiers, or active ion pumps.
  • These systems leverage photo-responsive materials for precise transport regulation.
  • Applications span molecular sensing, water purification, and energy conversion.

Conclusions:

  • Light-controlled solid-state nanopores represent a significant advancement in transmembrane transport control.
  • The field holds promise for diverse applications in sensing, purification, and energy.
  • Future research should focus on further development and novel applications of nanopore/nanochannel technology.