Making waves: Electric-field-programmable membrane interfaces for fouling control

Fouling hinders the application of membrane technologies, yet conventional static surface modification cannot timely and sustainably control membrane fouling. Although electroactive membranes can effectively remove fouling, their dependence on periodic or constant electrical characteristics limits their adaptability to multiple fouling states. Currently, energy conversion mechanisms, interfacial electric field modulation, and foulant specificity lack a unified integration within electroactive membranes. This disconnection limits the ability to optimize energy and anti-fouling efficiency. This work integrates these dimensions through in-situ sensing and control algorithms, harvesting hydraulic energy to power interfacial dynamic electric fields tailored to the specificity of foulants. This intelligent anti-fouling strategy transforms fouling into a controllable design variable, offering an anti-fouling solution for membrane filters and other functional interfaces in water treatment.