Articles tagged with "membrane-technology"
Membrane extracts lithium from brines faster, cleaner for batteries
Researchers at Rice University have developed an innovative nanotechnology-based membrane that selectively filters lithium from saltwater brines more quickly and sustainably than traditional methods. Unlike the current large-scale lithium extraction process, which relies on slow evaporation ponds and heavy chemical use—taking over a year and consuming vast amounts of water—the new membrane uses electrodialysis to pass lithium ions through while blocking other abundant ions like sodium, calcium, and magnesium. This selective filtration is achieved by embedding lithium titanium oxide (LTO) nanoparticles into the membrane, whose crystal structure is precisely sized to allow lithium ions to pass, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The membrane’s design incorporates a defect-free polyamide layer grafted with amine groups to evenly blend the LTO nanoparticles, resulting in a strong, durable material that maintained performance over two weeks of continuous use. Its modular three-layer architecture allows for independent optimization, making the technology adaptable for extracting other valuable minerals such as cobalt and nickel. This advancement represents a significant step toward cleaner
energylithium-extractionnanotechnologymembrane-technologybattery-materialssustainable-energyelectrodialysisIn a first, artificial cell moves on its own using just chemistry
Scientists at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) have created the first artificial cell capable of autonomous movement powered solely by chemical reactions, marking a significant breakthrough in synthetic biology. This minimal synthetic cell consists of just three components: a lipid membrane forming a vesicle, an enzyme inside it, and a membrane pore. When exposed to chemical gradients such as glucose or urea, the enzyme reacts with these molecules, generating an imbalance that drives fluid flow along the vesicle’s surface. The membrane pore creates the necessary asymmetry for propulsion, enabling the vesicle to move directionally toward higher concentrations through chemotaxis—mimicking natural cellular behaviors like bacteria swimming toward nutrients or immune cells moving to infection sites. This research not only demonstrates a simplified model of chemotaxis without complex biological machinery but also offers insights into early evolutionary mechanisms of cellular movement. The team tested over 10,000 vesicles in controlled microfluidic environments, confirming that vesicles with more pores exhibited stronger chem
materialssynthetic-biologyartificial-cellschemotaxisenzyme-reactionsmembrane-technologymicrofluidicsNew clay membrane tech can extract lithium straight from water
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago have developed a novel, low-cost membrane technology capable of efficiently extracting lithium directly from saltwater. This membrane is made from vermiculite, a naturally abundant and inexpensive clay, which is processed into ultrathin two-dimensional sheets. To stabilize these sheets in water, the team introduced microscopic aluminum oxide pillars that maintain the membrane’s structure and enable selective ion filtration based on size and charge. By doping the membrane with sodium ions, it gains a positive surface charge that repels magnesium ions more strongly than lithium ions, allowing for effective separation of lithium from chemically similar elements. This breakthrough offers a scalable alternative to traditional lithium mining, which is costly, slow, and geographically concentrated, by tapping into the vast lithium reserves dissolved in seawater, underground brines, and wastewater. The membrane’s ability to selectively filter lithium with high precision could reduce dependence on foreign lithium suppliers and unlock new domestic sources. Beyond lithium, the
materialsenergylithium-extractionmembrane-technology2D-materialssustainable-miningwater-filtrationAcid vapor lets CO2 capture tech run 4,500+ hours without failures
Researchers at Rice University have developed a simple yet effective modification to electrochemical carbon capture systems that dramatically extends their operational lifespan. By replacing the conventional water-based humidification of CO2 gas with mild acid vapors—such as hydrochloric, formic, or acetic acid—the team prevented the formation of potassium bicarbonate salt deposits that typically clog gas flow channels and flood electrodes. This acid vapor approach dissolves the problematic salts, allowing them to be carried away with the gas flow, thereby avoiding blockages that cause premature device failure. Testing showed that this acid-based humidification enabled stable operation for over 4,500 hours in a 100-square-centimeter electrolyzer—more than 50 times longer than the roughly 80 hours achievable with traditional water humidification. The method proved effective across various catalysts including silver, zinc oxide, copper oxide, and bismuth oxide, without causing significant membrane corrosion due to the low acid concentrations used. Because the modification requires only minor changes to existing humidification setups
energycarbon-captureCO2-reductionelectrochemical-systemscatalystsacid-vapormembrane-technologyUltra-thin membrane unlocks 20% cheaper, greener hydrogen fuel power
hydrogenfuel-cellsenergymembrane-technologysustainabilitycost-reductiongreen-technologyCrude oil climate toll slashed by 90% in US engineering breakthrough
energyemissions-reductioncrude-oilmembrane-technologysustainable-engineeringoil-processingMIT