Engineering Biomimetic Nanofluidics Toward High-Performance Osmotic Energy Harvesting

As industrialization deepens and population surges, the demand for sustainable energy has emerged as a globally critical challenge. Osmotic energy-generated from Gibbs free energy between different solutions-stands out as a viable solution to the energy crisis. The key to efficient osmotic energy conversion is the development of nanofluidic materials with high-selectivity and high-flux transmembrane ion transport behaviors. This Review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest progress in advanced nanofluidic channels, focusing on optimizing permselectivity to enhance ion transport efficiency. The systematic manipulation of nanochannel architectures is underscored to navigate the inherent balance between permeability and selectivity. Furthermore, the impact of external field regulation on the controlled ion transport within nanofluidic channels, aiming to boost osmotic energy conversion, is explored. At last, visionary insights into the future of osmotic energy conversion are offered, encompassing the combination with artificial intelligence (AI) in nanofluidic design, the expansion of application landscapes, and the integration with other complementary technologies.