Polymer membrane could tap huge reserves of ‘blue energy’ from estuaries’ salt gradients

Commercial ‘blue energy’ is one step closer with the development of a new ion-exchange membrane that dramatically increases the efficiency of energy generation from the salt concentration gradients which exist where a river meets the sea. This membrane overcomes the performance stalemate which has hindered the development of this renewable resource, using a self-assembled polymer to create an ordered nanostructure for ion filtration.