An osmotic power generation system , that enables the movement of salt ions in saltwater through nanopores in a thin membrane to generate electricity , has been demonstrated by researchers at EPFL 's Laboratory of Nanoscale physics and chemistry in Nature . A 1m2 membrane with 30 % of its surface covered by nanopores could produce 1MW of electricity , the researchers claim . When making uniform electricity has been perfected , the breakthrough technology using estuaries could play a major role in the generation of renewable energy .
An osmotic power generation system, that harnesses the movement of salt ions in saltwater through nanopores in a thin membrane to generate electricity, has been developed by researchers at EPFL's Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology and published in Nature. A 1m2 membrane with 30% of its surface covered by nanopores could produce 1MW of electricity, the researchers claim. When making uniform pores has been perfected, the breakthrough technology using estuaries could play a major role in the generation of renewable energy.