Literature review and modeling of the transport of water molecules and ions in aquaporin membranes

• Main Author: Tan, Lily Li Li.
• Other Authors: Jim Chen Chin-Kuang
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Environmental engineering::Water treatment
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/15909
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

In this fast pacing world, it is essential that the people’s demands on water supply are constantly met in order to fulfil human’s need. Aquaporin is a special water channel found in the human cells. Aquaporins specifically allow only water molecules to pass through and no other particles. This process is similar to a reverse osmosis membrane in a desalination plant where only water molecules and certain minerals with size similar or smaller than that of a water molecules. A detailed report showing the function and structure of an aquaporin membrane and also exactly how water molecules are selectively permeate through an aquaporin membrane is shown. After which, reverse osmosis membrane in a desalination plant is being researched and compared against an aquaporin membrane to determine if our hypothesis, aquaporin is a better candidate for the new generation semi-permeable membrane.