A biomimetic membrane allows lithium ion separation by electrodialysis

http://english.cas.cn/newsroom/research_news/chem/202504/t20250427_1042154.shtml

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59188-1

A research team led by Prof. GAO Jun from the CAS Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT) , in collaboration with researchers from Qingdao University, has developed an innovative membrane that mimics biological ion channels to achieve highly selective lithium ion separation from complex brines. Lithium, which is essential for batteries and clean energy technologies, is often found in low concentrations alongside high levels of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium ions.

Inspired by biological ion channels, the team designed a sulfonic acid-functionalized covalent organic framework (COF)—r-TpPa-SO₃H. The membrane’s randomly oriented nanocrystalline structure creates ultra-narrow, winding channels that can differentiate ions based on size and hydration energy. This unique structure enables an unconventional reverse-sieving mechanism that allows the selective passage of Na⁺, K⁺, and even divalent ions like Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ under an electric field while effectively blocking hydrated Li⁺ ions.

In laboratory tests, the membrane demonstrated remarkable Na⁺/Li⁺ and K⁺/Li⁺ selectivity, comparable to that of biological ion channels. Its performance remained stable in complex solutions, including real salt-lake brines. Under electrodialysis conditions, the membrane consistently removed major interfering ions, resulting in a lithium-enriched solution ready for downstream processing.

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Two-mode Raman-activated cell sorting enables downstream analysis of functional microbes

Researchers from the CAS Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT), together with collaborators, have developed a Raman-activated cell sorting platform that combines rapid cell sorting with sensitive measurements of weak Raman signals and small-volume cell collection.

Called Pit-RACS, the optical-tweezer-assisted platform operates in two modes on the same microfluidic chip, allowing researchers to adjust the sorting strategy according to the strength of the Raman signal.

Raman-activated cell sorting can identify living cells by their chemical fingerprints without fluorescent labels. Yet researchers have faced a trade-off: fast, flowing systems struggle to measure weak Raman signals, while systems that allow longer measurements sort cells slowly. Collecting the selected cells in a large volume can also make subsequent experiments difficult.

According to the researchers, cells with strong resonance Raman signals are measured and sorted as they flow through the device. In this mode, they sorted up to 836 ± 1 events per minute with a 10-millisecond spectral acquisition time.

For weaker non-resonance signals, optical tweezers move individual cells into a cell-free buffer stream. This allows for longer measurements without interference from nearby cells. This method sorted approximately 50 cells per minute. Switching modes requires no hardware changes.

The platform can also temporarily store selected cells and release them together in approximately 10 microliters of liquid. In the reported tests, the collected cells were over 97% pure and could proceed to cultivation or genomic analysis without an additional concentration step.

“Raman signals vary greatly between biological targets. We designed the two modes so researchers can choose the measurement time their question requires while using the same sorting platform,” said Prof. MA Bo, corresponding author of the study.

To demonstrate industrial strain screening, the researchers sorted a mutant library of Yarrowia lipolytica and identified a strain with 77.4% higher β-carotene yield than the control. In another demonstration, they combined heavy-water labeling with Pit-RACS to enrich phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms from river water. They used the concentrated output directly for metagenomic sequencing, revealing 12 species of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria across nine genera.

From green energy to smart cells – article in “Nachrichten aus der Chemie”

Nachrichten aus der Chemie 64, 54-59 (2026)

20261001 Nachrichten

In Shanghai, a French cargo vessel is refueld with green methanol

https://j.people.com.cn/n3/2026/0818/c95952-20489791.html

https://www.recordchina.co.jp/b990111-s50-c20-d0189.html

On August 17, 2026, at Shanghai’s Yangshan Port 8,000 tons of green methanol were used to refuel a cargo ship owned by the French shipping giant CMA CGM.

Green methanol is a key alternative fuel for reducing carbon emissions in sectors such as shipping and the chemical industry. According to Zhu Zhaokai, President of Shanghai Electric Group, this large-scale green methanol refueling operation demonstrates that China has established a complete industrial chain—spanning from large-scale production and onshore/maritime storage and transport to port-side refueling and shipboard utilization and will help drive the global shipping industry toward zero emissions.

The green methanol fuel supplied in this operation was primarily produced at Shanghai Electric’s “Integrated Demonstration Project for Wind Power and Biomass-Combined Green Methanol” in Taonan City, Jilin Province. The production process makes use of various resources, fully utilizing biomass materials—such as corn stalks from Taonan City—and green hydrogen generated from wind power.

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