The use of membrane-based technologies for energy harvesting is a more sustainable and environmentally friendly process compared to conventional methods. These technologies consist in three main sections, which are salinity gradient energy, battery systems, and fuel cell technologies. Salinity gradient energy has three different technologies: capacitive mixing (CapMix), pressure retarded osmosis (PRO), and reverse electrodialysis (RED). These technologies use water as the primary energy source, and produce no solid, liquid, or gaseous waste in electricity generation. Batteries and fuel cells (polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, proton exchange membrane fuel cells, anion exchange membrane fuel cells, microbial fuel cells, flow batteries) attracted much attention due to their high energy density. Their common feature is the use of a chemical reaction for the generation of electricity. The above technologies can be used individually or as an integrated system.
The common point in the above technologies is using membranes for energy harvesting and generation for different purposes. Ion exchange membranes (IEM), anion exchange membrane (AEM), and cation exchange membrane (CEM) are the most critical components in these technologies. The chemical composition, morphology, alkaline resistance, fouling tendency, hydrophilic/hydrophobic character, ion selectivity and conductivity, resistivity, and mechanical durability properties of membranes are crucial criteria in their energy harvesting applications. In addition, the economical production of these membranes is another challenge before commercialization.
In this Research Topic, we invite submission of manuscripts on energy harvesting applications and purposes, such as:
• Ion exchange membrane preparation and characterization
• Membrane materials
• Operation and module design
• Modelling and simulation
• Integrated membrane processes
Keywords:
energy harvesting, ion exchange membranes, membrane materials, membrane modelling, integrated membrane processes
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
The use of membrane-based technologies for energy harvesting is a more sustainable and environmentally friendly process compared to conventional methods. These technologies consist in three main sections, which are salinity gradient energy, battery systems, and fuel cell technologies. Salinity gradient energy has three different technologies: capacitive mixing (CapMix), pressure retarded osmosis (PRO), and reverse electrodialysis (RED). These technologies use water as the primary energy source, and produce no solid, liquid, or gaseous waste in electricity generation. Batteries and fuel cells (polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, proton exchange membrane fuel cells, anion exchange membrane fuel cells, microbial fuel cells, flow batteries) attracted much attention due to their high energy density. Their common feature is the use of a chemical reaction for the generation of electricity. The above technologies can be used individually or as an integrated system.
The common point in the above technologies is using membranes for energy harvesting and generation for different purposes. Ion exchange membranes (IEM), anion exchange membrane (AEM), and cation exchange membrane (CEM) are the most critical components in these technologies. The chemical composition, morphology, alkaline resistance, fouling tendency, hydrophilic/hydrophobic character, ion selectivity and conductivity, resistivity, and mechanical durability properties of membranes are crucial criteria in their energy harvesting applications. In addition, the economical production of these membranes is another challenge before commercialization.
In this Research Topic, we invite submission of manuscripts on energy harvesting applications and purposes, such as:
• Ion exchange membrane preparation and characterization
• Membrane materials
• Operation and module design
• Modelling and simulation
• Integrated membrane processes
Keywords:
energy harvesting, ion exchange membranes, membrane materials, membrane modelling, integrated membrane processes
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.