University of California

Francesca Toma

Shane Ardo

David M Larson

Gideon Segev

Rylan Kautz

Joel Ager

Described herein is an ion pump system implementing an electronic ratchet mechanism produced by modulating a spatially varying electric potential distribution that can result in a net ionic current and voltage. The ion pumping membrane system includes an ion-permeable layer integrated with ion-selective membranes. The electric potential distribution within the ion-permeable layer is modulated through external stimuli. When immersed in solution, ions within the ion-permeable layer experience a time varying, spatially asymmetric electric field distribution resulting in ratchet-driven direction pumping, which can be used in applications such as desalination.

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Berkeley, CA, United States of America

Francesca Toma