UC Irvine and Tel Aviv University Develop Innovative Ratchet-Based Ion Pump for Water Treatment
Researchers from UC Irvine and Tel Aviv University have created a novel ratchet-based ion pump, enabling ion transport without moving parts or chemical reactions. This technology has potential applications in water desalination, lithium ion harvesting, and heavy-metal removal. The findings, published in Nature Materials, demonstrate the pump's ability to sustain ion flux and achieve significant salt removal with low voltage. The project received funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and the European Research Council.
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A research team from UC Irvine and Tel Aviv University has developed a ratchet-based ion pump that allows charged molecules to pass using a low-voltage signal, without moving parts or chemical reactions. This innovation could enhance water desalination, lithium ion extraction from seawater, and heavy-metal removal from drinking water.
The pump operates by modulating voltage across ultrathin metallic layers on a nanoporous insulating membrane, generating a directed ionic flow through a ratchet effect. Demonstrated applications include an electrically driven deionization system achieving 50% salt removal with minimal voltage. The technology could transform water purification and contribute to environmental sustainability.
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