Controlled Small Molecule Transport in Nanofluidic Channels

The ability to control and direct specific ion transport across multiple scales is one of the fundamental challenges for bioelectronic applications. While researchers have traditionally focused on organic materials such as conductive polymers for these tasks, recent progress in materials science associated with development of 1D and 2D nanomaterials is beginning to offer some potential alternatives. Precise control over molecular confinement, readily achievable in these materials, provides additional unique opportunities to enhance their performance. I will discuss several examples of controlling ion and small molecule transport in highly confined channels with conductive walls. I will highlight some of the unusual mechanisms that enhance ion transport efficiency and ion transport selectivity in these systems, discuss the energy barriers for transport in these systems, and outline some challenges that we face in translating these unique transport properties into applications.