Nanopore: Miniscule pathway for giant osmotic power

Abstract

Nanopores, the tiny apertures within a thin membrane, offer a remarkably efficient pathway for harnessing electricity from the salinity gradient between ubiquitous seawater and freshwater resources. Over the past decade, significant efforts have been devoted to leveraging the exceptional capabilities of single-nanopore osmotic power generators in the form of coupon-scale nanoporous membranes. This article provides a comprehensive review of the latest advancements in this field, elucidating future opportunities and obstacles toward the real-world deployment of nanopore-based power generation systems.