Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jonathan R. Thompson, Richard M. Crooks
Summary: In recent years, microplastics have been detected in various environments, including seawater, soil, food, and even human bodies. Understanding the health and environmental impacts of microplastics is a growing concern. This perspective highlights the importance of developing methods to separate and quantify exposure to the smallest microplastics, as traditional methods unintentionally exclude them. Electrokinetic methods are suggested as a potential solution and the key research directions for advancing this technology are discussed.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hyukjin J. Kwon, Minsoo Lee, Seong Kyung Hong, Chan Park, Seong J. Cho, Geunbae Lim
Summary: The technology utilizes electrokinetics to achieve efficient emulsion separation, capable of separating nanoemulsions with ultrahigh flux. By arresting nano-oil droplets and allowing them to coalesce into larger droplets, they can be filtered by coarser membranes.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wenbo Han, Xueye Chen
Summary: This paper proposes a novel micro-nanofluidic preconcentrator with Koch fractal nanochannel surface, and the numerical simulation shows that increasing specific parameters can significantly enhance ion enrichment ratio, providing theoretical support for the design of trace detection instruments.
JOURNAL OF DISPERSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chih-Chang Chang
Summary: This study investigated the electrokinetic energy conversion in a conical nanopore using a numerical model, revealing asymmetric characteristics in the streaming current, streaming potential, maximum power generation, maximum conversion efficiency, and flow rate under both forward and reverse pressure biases. The reverse pressure bias exhibited higher EKEC performance, attributed to asymmetric electrical resistance resulting from asymmetric ion depletion and ion enrichment.
Article
Thermodynamics
Rui Long, Fan Wu, Xiyu Chen, Zhichun Liu, Wei Liu
Summary: Previous studies on the electrokinetic energy conversion focused on isothermal conditions, but this study systematically investigates the effects of temperature and membrane thermal conductivity. The findings suggest that under non-isothermal conditions, controlling membrane thermal conductivity and temperature differences can significantly improve the efficiency of energy conversion. Additionally, utilizing asymmetric temperatures and constructing tunable ionic current sources are proposed as potential strategies to enhance the performance of EKEC.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ramadan Abu-Rjal, Yoav Green
Summary: The study shows that nanofluidic diodes exhibit unipolar and bipolar behaviors under different geometric and surface charge conditions, with bipolar and semi-bipolar systems showing a wider range of phenomena. Furthermore, the investigation of system characteristics includes not only the steady-state results, but also the time-dependent rectification factors and transport numbers in transient conditions.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Electrochemistry
Zheng Liu, Zengxing Zhang, Guohua Liu
Summary: Ion transport in nanochannels is studied with the aim of understanding the impact of asymmetric geometry and surface charge on ion rectification performance. Low surface charge gradient enhances ion rectification, while high surface charge gradient leads to anomalous electrokinetic behavior that deteriorates ion rectification. The coordination mechanism of asymmetric geometry and surface charge determines the enhancement-deterioration transition threshold. This work provides valuable guidance for the design of nanofluidic energy devices.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Minsoo Lee, Hyukjin J. Kwon, Geunbae Lim
Summary: The novel multiscale-porous anion exchange membrane (MP-AEM) enables convenient and scalable electrokinetic concentration of cationic species by overcoming the intrinsic limitations of traditional AEM materials. The MP-AEM-embedded electrokinetic concentrator is fabricated in a highly simplified manner with only a simple insertion and assembly process. The concentration performance of the MP-AEM-embedded concentrator is demonstrated to enrich positively charged samples with enrichment factors of up to 500, making cationic electrokinetic concentration more accessible and scalable for various applications.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Fatima Flores-Galicia, Alexander Eden, Antoine Pallandre, Sumita Pennathur, Anne-Marie Haghiri-Gosnet
Summary: This study investigates the influence of key parameters such as electrolyte concentration, surface charge density, and applied electric field on ion concentration polarization dynamics in micro-/nanofluidic devices. By tuning the system for analyte focusing at the charge, excluding microchannel, nanochannel electrical double layer (EDL) interface, the greatest enhancement is observed. Additionally, adding extra nanochannels oriented parallel to the electric field can increase perm-selectivity and enhance focusing at the EDL interfaces.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Chunfang Gao, Shile Zhong, Zheng Liu, Changzheng Li
Summary: Artificial bionic nanochannels with asymmetric surface charge were proposed and investigated for their ion enrichment effect. The results showed excellent ion enrichment performance, with an enrichment ratio of up to 1500 at an ion concentration of 0.01 mM, surpassing previous researches. It was observed that forward voltage bias led to ion enrichment, while reverse voltage bias resulted in ion depletion. The ion enrichment ratio was higher with larger voltage bias, absolute surface charge density, and smaller nanochannel height. Additionally, the ion enrichment performance was more sensitive to changes in charged wall length and less sensitive to changes in uncharged wall length. This research report provides important information and guidance for the design and optimization of ion enrichment performance.
Article
Electrochemistry
Zhe Zhang, Zhenquan Li, Mengzhen Liao, Nan Qiao, Changzheng Li
Summary: With the development of nanotechnology, the study of electrokinetic ion rectification (ICR) is becoming more important. In this study, a new ICR ion transport model was proposed, which coupled the chemical equilibrium boundary with asymmetric temperature. The effects of membrane thermal conductivity, solution pH, and geometric conditions on the rectification performance were investigated. The results showed that the rectification ratio could be optimized by controlling the thermal conductivity of the membrane, adjusting pH, and optimizing geometric conditions.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Amalia Rizki Fauziah, Li-Hsien Yeh
Summary: A novel heterogenous subnanochannel membrane with a tri-continuous pore structure has been reported, which exhibits enhanced ion selectivity, strong ion current rectification, and ultrafast ion transport properties in organic electrolyte solutions. By mixing solutions of different salinity, a high power output can be achieved, paving the way for efficient ion separation and high-performance energy harvesters.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mengyao Gao, Min-Jie Zheng, Ahmed F. M. EL-Mahdy, Chen-Wei Chang, Yu-Chun Su, Wen-Hsin Hung, Shiao-Wei Kuo, Li-Hsien Yeh
Summary: In this study, a sub-2 nm scale ionic diode membrane consisting of a ultra-thin beta-ketoenamine-linked two-dimensional covalent-organic framework (COF) membrane and a highly ordered alumina nanochannel membrane (ANM) was developed for high-efficiency osmotic energy harvesting. The heterostructured membrane demonstrated highly rectifying ion transport even in high salt concentration. By mixing artificial salt-lake water and river water, an unprecedented power density of up to 27.8 W/m2 was achieved. This research opens new avenues for the exploration and development of ultrahigh osmotic power generators using biomimetic nanofluidic membranes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mengyuan Chen, Kun Yang, Jin Wang, Hanjun Sun, Xing-Hua Xia, Chen Wang
Summary: In response to the energy crisis, the osmotic energy conversion method utilizing the salinity gradient between seawater and freshwater is an effective way to obtain energy. However, the majority of nanofluidic membranes used for osmotic energy generation are cation-selective. This study presents the synthesis of an anion-selective membrane by growing imine-bridged covalent organic framework (COF) on ordered anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) at room temperature. The resulting membrane exhibits excellent ionic current rectification property, high ion selectivity and permeability, and successfully harvests salinity gradient energy.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shusong Zhang, Zhenming Ji, Guanghua Du, Jie Liu, Xi Zhou, Yanbo Xie
Summary: Artificial nanopores with tunable dimensions were created on PET foils, enabling size adjustment through irreversible thermal shrinkage by increasing ambient temperatures. The complex pore deformation process and mechanical stresses were analyzed and theoretically illustrated using a phase diagram. These temperature-induced nanopores significantly reduced ionic conduction and pressure-driven flow, making them useful for temperature-modulated mass transport in nanotechnology and energy applications.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xueye Chen, Shuai Zhang, Wenbo Han, Zhongli Wu, Yao Chen, Shouxin Wang
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Wenbo Han, Xueye Chen
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN
(2019)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Wenbo Han, Xueye Chen, Zhongli Wu, Yue Zheng
JOURNAL OF THE BRAZILIAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING
(2019)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Wenbo Han, Xueye Chen
APPLIED NANOSCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Wenbo Han, Xueye Chen
MICROGRAVITY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Wenbo Han, Xueye Chen
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING AND PROCESSING-PROCESS INTENSIFICATION
(2019)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wenbo Han, Xueye Chen
Summary: This paper studies the driving force mechanism of droplet generation in T-junction microchannels using numerical simulation method. The results show that when the step structure is in the middle, the generated droplets have the smallest diameter and the fastest frequency, which is the optimal solution for generating monodisperse high-throughput microdroplets.
JOURNAL OF DISPERSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wenbo Han, Xueye Chen
Summary: This paper proposes a novel micro-nanofluidic preconcentrator with Koch fractal nanochannel surface, and the numerical simulation shows that increasing specific parameters can significantly enhance ion enrichment ratio, providing theoretical support for the design of trace detection instruments.
JOURNAL OF DISPERSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Wenbo Han, Xueye Chen
JOURNAL OF THE BRAZILIAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING
(2019)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yaolong Zhang, Xueye Chen, Wenbo Han
Summary: The influence of the constriction structure of microchannels on droplet formation was studied through 3D numerical simulation. Microchannels with necked structures can generate smaller droplets with faster frequency. Among the three structures, the trapezoidal necking microchannel performs the best, producing monodisperse droplets of uniform size with stable period.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Mechanical
Wenbo Han, Xueye Chen
Summary: Micro-nanofluidic technology is widely used in various fields such as food safety testing, drug screening, new material synthesis, and bioengineering. The development of droplet microfluidic technology has overcome many challenges of continuous flow technology and is expected to be an important direction for future research.
JOURNAL OF THE BRAZILIAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Wenbin Wu, Yingnan Wang, Wenbo Han, Genlai Wang, Mingliang Zhang, Jianping Wang
Summary: This paper experimentally studies the solid-fuel rotating detonation engine with gas generator. The problems of ignition and stable detonation of pre-combustion gasification injection are solved, and the feasibility of solid pre-combustion rotating detonation is verified. A set of gas generators is designed and ignition tests are carried out, achieving a detonation wave velocity of about 2625 m/s in the stable stage, which is about 20% higher than that generated by hydrogen/oxygen detonation. A maximum thrust of 69 N is obtained. Stable detonation pressure signal is obtained in the experiments, and it is found that the detonation wave experiences four stages in the formation process: deflagration, deflagration to detonation transition (DDT) process, galloping detonation, and stable detonation. In the stable detonation stage, coexistence of detonation waves with different strength is identified by high-speed photography images.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Z-L. Hu, X-Y. Chen, Z-Y. Wu, W-B. Han
LASERS IN ENGINEERING
(2019)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenbo Han, Xueye Chen
AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2018)
