Nanofluidic Channel & Electrical Double Layer

Nanotechnology

How It Works

In nanofluidic channels whose channel height approaches the Debye screening length (h ~ λ_D), electrical double layers (EDLs) from charged channel walls overlap. This overlap induces electrostatic co-ion exclusion and selective counter-ion enrichment, enabling unipolar ionic conduction and highly efficient electroosmotic fluid pumping.

Governing Equation
λ_D = √((ε · k_B · T) / (2 · e^2 · I)) , v_{eo} = -(ε · ζ) / η · E_x