Transistor-like Membranes Enhance Ion Separation

Researchers achieve real-time tuning of ion separations with new electrically controlled membranes.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have developed a new type of "transistor" membrane made of stacks of 2D MXene sheets that can control the flow of ions by applying an electric field, similar to how a transistor regulates electrical current. This allows for real-time tuning of ion separation processes, which could make applications like water treatment, drug delivery, and rare earth element extraction more efficient.

Why it matters

This breakthrough represents a significant advancement in the field, as scientists previously thought the properties of MXene membranes were fixed once created. The ability to electrically control the efficiency of molecular transport through the membrane opens up new possibilities for precision separation processes that are critical for a range of industries and applications.

The details

The MXene membranes work by allowing ions to squeeze through nanoscale channels formed between the stacked 2D sheets. The researchers discovered that by applying an electric field, they can change the surface charge of the membrane and control how many ions can fit between the layers and how easily they move through. They also found that applying an alternating positive and negative voltage can enhance the ion transport, essentially making the membrane self-pumping and increasing efficiency.

  • The research was recently published in the journal Science Advances on February 20, 2026.

The players

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)

A U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory located in Livermore, California that conducts research in areas such as national security, energy, the environment, and basic science.

Aleksandr Noy

A lead co-author of the study and scientist at LLNL.

Aaditya Pendse

A former postdoctoral researcher at LLNL and co-author of the study.

Arjun Yennemadi

A graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and co-author of the study.

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What they’re saying

“This work was inspired by the transistor's ability to regulate current through a device by applying a gate voltage. It's just like how you can regulate the flow through a garden hose with a valve, or by using your foot to step on it.”

— Aleksandr Noy, Lead co-author and LLNL scientist (Mirage News)

“We also demonstrated that by applying an alternating positive and negative voltage, we were able to enhance the ion transport through the membrane and make it essentially self-pumping. That increases the efficiency of the ion travel through the membrane.”

— Aaditya Pendse, Former LLNL postdoctoral researcher (Mirage News)

“This oscillating voltage approach represents a particularly significant discovery, as it enables the membrane to actively drive molecular transport rather than relying solely on passive diffusion.”

— Arjun Yennemadi, Graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Mirage News)

What’s next

Going forward, the team aims to test how these membranes might work for transporting and separating rare earth element ions - critical materials that are required for a robust U.S. supply chain.

The takeaway

This breakthrough in electrically controlled MXene membranes represents a significant advancement in precision separation technologies, with the potential to improve the efficiency of a wide range of industrial and scientific processes, from water treatment to drug delivery to rare earth element extraction.