Themed collection Artificial Water Channels

Developing bioinspired artificial water channels may lead to the next-generation filtration membranes with ultra-high pore density and exclusive water permeability.

A series of mono- and di-ureidoethylimidazole derivatives were tested as self-assembled supramolecular channels for water transport across a vesicle bilayer. Structural modifications of the selected compounds were related to permeability variation.

In this paper, two unique selectivity trends of ML-PAP[5] membranes are discussed from the perspectives of channel geometry, ion exclusion, and linear molecule transport.

Here we discuss how highly selective aquaporin proteins can be used to enhance the performance of the classical thin film composite membrane, and how this can be used in relevant membrane elements and module form factors.

Hierarchical isotropic porous structures with spherical micrometer-sized cavities, interconnected by hexagonally ordered nanochannels, were prepared based on the phase separation of polystyrene-b-poly(t-butyl acrylate) block copolymers, following a nucleation and growth mechanism.

HG 2·KCl hydrogel assemblies non-covalently bind anionic dyes and covalently bind an aldehyde in water.

After a short introduction into the single-file transport theory, we analyze experiments in which the unitary water permeability, p_f, of water channel proteins (aquaporins, AQPs), potassium channels (KcsA), and antibiotics (gramicidin-A derivatives) has been obtained. A short outline of the underlying methods is also provided.

Investigation of water dynamics during permeation events through I-quartet membrane channels in ordered and disordered systems.

Atomistic Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations provide numerous insights into the process whereby water is driven through a narrow nanopore (diameter on the order of a few water molecules) by application of hydrostatic pressure.

Biophysical characterization of interactions between full-length aquaporins and regulatory proteins provides new insights into binding mechanisms.

In the past, sub-1 nm diameter carbon nanotube porins embedded in a lipid membrane matrix demonstrated extremely high water permeabilities and strong ion selectivities. In this work, we explore additional factors that influence transport in these channels.

We have developed CHARMM force-field compatible parameters and conducted all-atom explicit-solvent MD simulations of biomimetic membranes composed of block copolymers of poly(butadiene), poly(isoprene), and poly(ethylene oxide).

Simulations of water behaviour have been used to probe hydrophobic gates in BEST1 and TMEM175, which can reveal important design principles for the engineering of gates in novel biomimetic nanopores.

The tunable separation of water–ethanol mixtures inside CNTs by varying the electric field orientation angle θ.

Carbon nanotube porins embedded in lipid membranes are studied by molecular dynamics simulations.

Proper crosslinking and reduction can effectively prevent graphene oxide from swelling, thus enabling the precise control of interlayer spacing.

Using hyperpolarised NMR attains sufficient sensitivity to detect water proton uptake in biomolecules following the crossing of membrane channels.

Positively charged residues in the vicinity of the channel entrance or exit accelerate single-file water flow.

The aspects of ion exclusion and concentration polarization are highlighted as critical for achieving high selectivity in an artificial water channel.

Multiblock-amphiphiles preferentially distribute in the Ld phase and encourage delocalization of cholesterol in both the Ld and Lo phases.

A tubular molecule with terminal positively charged amino groups that displays a strong ability to insert into the membrane of mammalian cells.

In this study, we propose a strategy for incorporation of artificial channels that mimic biological channels into stable polymeric membranes.