(December 9, 2015) Inspired
by the mangrove plant and human kidney, this novel biomimetic membrane is
mechanically stronger and allows only water molecules to pass through
The growing demand for potable water calls for low energy
and cost effective methods for water purification. Inspired by the natural
water purification systems of the roots of the mangrove plant and the human
kidney, a team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS)
Environmental Research Institute (NERI) has engineered a novel biomimetic
membrane that can purify water at low pressure, thus reducing energy costs.
This new technology can potentially reduce water purification costs by up to 30
per cent.
The water purification industry today faces a major
challenge of high energy costs incurred by current membrane systems to recover
water from saline sources. These industrial water purification processes are
costly because they require high hydraulic or osmotic pressures to push water
molecules to filter through the membrane systems.
Led by Associate Professor Tong Yen Wah who is also from the
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the NUS Faculty of
Engineering, the team of researchers have designed and fabricated a new
aquaporin-incorporated biomimetic membrane water purification and treatment
system that is highly efficient. Aquaporins are membrane proteins that
selectively conduct water molecules in and out of cells, preventing the passage
of ions and other solutes.