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Updated: May 20, 2025

Membrane Transport Processes Analyzed by a Highly Parallel Nanopore Chip System at Single Protein Resolution
Published on: August 16, 2016
Biomimetic ion channels with subnanometer sizes for ion sieving: a mini-review
Qianqian Fu1, Zhaoyu Ma1, Jun Gao1,2,3
1Key Laboratory of Photoelectric Conversion and Utilization of Solar Energy, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, P. R. China. jun.gao@qibebt.ac.cn.
Abstract:
The remarkable ion selectivity of biological systems has inspired the development of artificial ion channels with Ångström-scale precision, expanding their potential applications in ion separation, energy conversion, and water purification. This mini-review systematically examines fundamental ion-sieving mechanisms operating at the subnanoscale, highlighting advanced fabrication strategies involving synthetic ion channels on lipid bilayers and solid-state ion channels. We further explore membrane material innovations spanning zero-dimensional nanopores to three-dimensional crystalline frameworks, emphasizing structure-function relationships in channel design. The discussion concludes with critical perspectives on scalability challenges and future research directions, outlining pathways toward next-generation sustainable ion sieving technologies.
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