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Updated: May 15, 2026
09:39
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Bioinspired Strategies for Directional Water Transport in Asymmetric Membranes
Luca Grillo1, Natthakan Rattanaphong2, Pornsuda Kotcharat2
1Adolphe Merkle Institute, Polymer Chemistry and Materials, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, Fribourg 1700, Switzerland.
ACS Applied Polymer Materials
|May 14, 2026
Summary
This review explores asymmetric dense polymer membranes for directional water transfer, crucial for applications like fog harvesting and advanced textiles. It covers fundamentals, recent advances, and future opportunities in this rapidly growing field.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Directional water transfer is vital for biological organisms and technological applications.
- Asymmetric dense polymer membranes are highly effective for controlled water permeation.
- Research in natural and engineered directional systems has seen significant growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the fundamentals of asymmetric permeation in dense polymer membranes.
- To highlight recent advancements in the design, fabrication, and characterization of these membranes.
- To discuss current challenges and future opportunities for scalable and multifunctional systems.
Main Methods:
- Historical perspective on directional biological membranes.
- Summary of governing principles for asymmetric permeation.
- Review of recent material innovations and characterization techniques.
Main Results:
- Asymmetric dense polymer membranes offer effective directional water transport.
- Numerous innovative material solutions have emerged in the last decade.
- The field has advanced significantly in design and fabrication.
Conclusions:
- Directional water transfer membranes have broad applications in fog harvesting, separation, and textiles.
- Further research is needed to address challenges in scalability and multifunctionality.
- The field presents significant opportunities for developing advanced material systems.
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