Spiers Memorial Lecture: Breakdown of universality in angstrom-scale flows

Abstract

Angstrofluidics explores fluid and ionic transport in channels with dimensions approaching individual atoms. Over the last decade, advances in carbon nanotubes, 2D materials, and lamellar membranes have revealed exotic behaviors, from anomalous dielectric responses and slip to memristive and mechano-sensitive transport, yet a unifying framework remains elusive. I argue that the apparent breakdown of universality at angstrom scales is actually an asset, enabling a wealth of advanced functionalities, from tailored non-linear responses and active ionic machines, to neuromorphic nanofluidic architectures.