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Related Concept Videos

Membrane Fluidity

Membrane Fluidity

Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates loosely attached to one another through chemical interactions. Molecules are generally able to move about in the plane of the membrane, giving the membrane its flexible nature called fluidity. Two other features of the membrane contribute to membrane fluidity: the chemical structure of the phospholipids and the presence of cholesterol in the membrane.

Membrane Fluidity

Membrane Fluidity

Membrane fluidity is explained by the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, which describes the plasma membrane structure as a mosaic of components—including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates—that gives the membrane a fluid character.
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is...

Mechanisms of Membrane-bending

Mechanisms of Membrane-bending

The living membranes are flexible due to their fluid mosaic nature; however, their bending into different shapes is an active process regulated by specific lipids and proteins. The membrane bending can be transient as seen in vesicles or stable for a long time as in microvilli. Cells regulate the size, location, and duration of the membrane curvature.
Membrane bending can happen due to intrinsic changes in lipid composition or extrinsic association with different proteins. The proteins involved...

Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation

Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation

Different physical properties of lipids and proteins allow them to localize and form distinct islands or domains in the membrane. Some membrane domains are formed due to protein-protein interactions, whereas others are formed due to the presence of specific lipids such as sphingolipids and sterols—for example, large proteins, such as bacteriorhodopsin, aggregate and create distinct domains.
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with...

Potentiometry: Membrane Electrodes

Potentiometry: Membrane Electrodes

Membrane electrodes, also known as p-ion electrodes, use membranes that selectively interact with free analyte ions, generating a potential difference across the membrane. The resulting membrane potential, known as the asymmetry potential, is not zero even when analyte concentrations on both sides of the membrane are equal. The membrane's response is typically not selective to a single analyte but proportional to the concentration of all ions in the sample solution capable of interacting at...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 14, 2026

Fabrication of Carbon-Based Ionic Electromechanically Active Soft Actuators

Fabrication of Carbon-Based Ionic Electromechanically Active Soft Actuators

Published on: April 25, 2020

Ionic Covalent Organic Framework Membranes for Rapid Moisture-Driven Actuation and Sensing.

Xin Liu¹, Weibin Lin¹, Jinrong Wang¹

¹Smart Hybrid Materials Laboratory (SHMs), Department of Chemistry, Division of Physical Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)

|October 25, 2025

Summary

Researchers developed a novel ionic covalent organic framework (COF) membrane that rapidly responds to humidity changes. This smart material shows promise for advanced sensors and adaptive devices due to its fast actuation and sensing capabilities.

Keywords:

Actuator Covalent organic frameworks Humidity‐response Membrane Sensing

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Microfluidic-based Synthesis of Covalent Organic Frameworks COFs: A Tool for Continuous Production of COF Fibers and Direct Printing on a Surface

Microfluidic-based Synthesis of Covalent Organic Frameworks COFs: A Tool for Continuous Production of COF Fibers and Direct Printing on a Surface

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Last Updated: Jan 14, 2026

Fabrication of Carbon-Based Ionic Electromechanically Active Soft Actuators

Fabrication of Carbon-Based Ionic Electromechanically Active Soft Actuators

Published on: April 25, 2020

Electrophoretic Crystallization of Ultrathin High-performance Metal-organic Framework Membranes

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Published on: August 16, 2018

Microfluidic-based Synthesis of Covalent Organic Frameworks COFs: A Tool for Continuous Production of COF Fibers and Direct Printing on a Surface

Microfluidic-based Synthesis of Covalent Organic Frameworks COFs: A Tool for Continuous Production of COF Fibers and Direct Printing on a Surface

Published on: July 10, 2017

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Chemistry
Nanotechnology

Background:

Smart materials with rapid, reversible responses to humidity are crucial for advanced sensors and adaptive devices.
Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) offer tunable porosity and designable architectures for stimuli-responsive systems, but practical applications are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a self-standing ionic COF membrane with enhanced moisture-driven actuation and sensing.
To investigate the mechanism behind the rapid response and explore potential applications.

Main Methods:

Synthesized a self-standing ionic COF membrane by incorporating hydrogen-bonding ionic functionalities.
Investigated moisture-driven actuation and sensing behavior.
Performed DFT calculations and MD simulations to understand water-adsorption mechanisms.

Main Results:

The ionic COF membrane exhibited a rapid response time of 1 second to humidity changes.
Demonstrated excellent mechanical flexibility, high water sorption capacity, and robust cycling durability.
Confirmed strong water adsorption via hydrogen bonding, modulating micropore structure and enabling responsiveness.

Conclusions:

Ionic COF membranes are a versatile platform for next-generation intelligent materials.
The developed membrane is suitable for applications like soft actuators, smart switches, and soil moisture sensors.
Rational design of COFs with specific functionalities can lead to advanced stimuli-responsive materials.