Angstrofluidics: walking to the limit

Abstract

Angstrom-scale fluidic channels are ubiquitous in nature, and play an important role in regulating cellular traffic, signaling, and responding to stimuli. Synthetic channels are now a reality with the emergence of several cutting-edge bottom-up and top-down fabrication methods. In particular, the use of atomically thin two dimensional (2D) materials and nanotubes as components to build fluidic conduits has pushed the limits of fabrication to the Angstrom-scale. Here, we provide an overview of the recent developments in the fabrication methods for nano- and angstrofluidic channels while categorizing them on the basis of dimensionality (0D pores, 1D tubes, 2D slits), along with the latest advances in measurement techniques. We discuss the ionic transport governed by various stimuli in these channels and draw comparison of ionic mobility, streaming and osmotic power, with varying pore sizes across all the dimensionalities. Towards the end of the review, we highlight the unique future opportunities in the development of smart ionic devices.

Keywords: Angstrofluidics, nanofluidics, confinement, ion transport, 2D materials, molecular transport 6 figures, review article

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