Topic: Energy

Researchers from EPFL's School of Engineering have developed a new way to generate blue energy by creating slippery nanopores that supercharge ion flow. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and practical osmotic energy systems.

Blue energy is an emerging method for producing renewable electricity by harnessing the natural mixing of saltwater and freshwater. When these two types of water meet, ions from the saltwater move through a specialized membrane toward the lower-salinity water. This movement generates a voltage that can be captured as electricity. However, previous membranes designed to allow ions to pass through quickly often lost their ability to separate charges effectively, making it difficult to maintain structural durability. As a result, most osmotic energy systems have remained largely confined to laboratory experiments.

Scientists from the Laboratory for Nanoscale Biology (LBEN) and the Interdisciplinary Centre for Electron Microscopy (CIME) have now demonstrated a solution to these problems. They improved ion movement by coating nanopores with tiny lipid bubbles known as liposomes. This reduced friction significantly increased ion transport and boosted the system's overall performance.

The team achieved a power density of about 15 watts per square meter, which is roughly 2-3 times higher than what current polymer membrane technologies can produce. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and practical osmotic energy systems that can help address the world's growing energy needs.

Why It Matters

This breakthrough in blue energy technology has the potential to contribute to India's goal of increasing its renewable energy capacity and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. As a country with a long coastline, India is well-positioned to take advantage of this emerging technology and become a leader in the field.

Key Facts

• Scientists from EPFL's School of Engineering have developed a new way to generate blue energy by creating slippery nanopores that supercharge ion flow.
• The team achieved a power density of about 15 watts per square meter, which is roughly 2-3 times higher than what current polymer membrane technologies can produce.
• This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and practical osmotic energy systems that can help address the world's growing energy needs.
• The technology has the potential to contribute to India's goal of increasing its renewable energy capacity and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.
• The study was published in Nature Energy on February 16, 2026.

Key Terms

Nanopores

Tiny holes that allow ions to pass through

Implications

This breakthrough in blue energy technology has the potential to contribute to India's goal of increasing its renewable energy capacity and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. As a country with a long coastline, India is well-positioned to take advantage of this emerging technology and become a leader in the field.