Natures Filter: Recent Development in Aquaporin Membrane Design

Knowledge of Aquaporin based membranes has developed significantly over the last decade. Today the technology of these membranes is being used for both FO (Forward Osmosis) and RO (Reverse Osmosis) applications. Getting these membranes to the correct dimension for industrial applications (while still being efficient) has been the most problematic topic.

Researchers continue to expand alternative approaches to diminish flaws. This article discusses insights into supported and nonsupported AL including POSS with polymersomes during the aqueous phase and TMC during the organic phase. Membranes being tested have been determined to be impermeable to salt and the remaining were leaky. There has been additional research that suggests employing UF PES membranes could positively affect results. As with all science, there is a need to explore new avenues of research.