Salinity gradients can be converted into electrical energy via charge-selective membranes, yet controlling the solid–liquid interfacial properties at the nanometre scale remains a key challenge. Now, highly charged nanopores coated with a lipid bilayer are shown to enable hydration lubrication, enhancing ion transport, selectivity and osmotic power generation.
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Prasetyo, F., Huang, TY. & Yeh, LH. Letting ions slide. Nat Energy 11, 353–355 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-026-01997-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-026-01997-9
