Energy Through Mastering the Mixture

Cyril Picard discusses nanoporous membranes, and in particular their use for energy recovery by harnessing the mixing of solutions of different concentrations. The processes currently being developed rely on these membranes’ ability to allow only water or certain ions to pass through. This principle is being tested near the Barcarin lock, where a pilot plant harnesses the confluence of the Rhône and the Mediterranean to generate electricity. While the development of synthetic nanoporous membranes began in the mid-21st century, challenges remain in optimizing their use and increasing the efficiency of these processes. These challenges lie at the intersection of materials science and the physics of small-scale transport.

To learn more, check out the news article “Explore Behind the Scenes of Research with Étonnants Matériaux” on the CNRS Physics website.