3 ms·
“We attribute these seemingly incompatible observations to a low-friction flow of a monolayer of water through two-dimensional capillaries formed by closely spa
by igravious 4y ago
“We attribute these seemingly incompatible observations to a low-friction flow of a monolayer of water through two-dimensional capillaries formed by closely spaced graphene sheets. Diffusion of other molecules is blocked by reversible narrowing of the capillaries in low humidity and/or by their clogging with water.”
I'm having trouble parsing this.
- twawaaay 4y agoIt seems to suggest the filter is composed of layers spaced exactly to match water molecule size ("two-dimensional" -- meaning space between two layers, "monolayer of water" -- meaning only single layer of molecules of water fits between the sheets). It seems other molecules can't pass because there is already water blocking passage or the moment the molecule finds itself into filter the channel narrows down ("reversible narrowing of the capillaries in low humidity"). I honestly don't like the terminology used and the way some people try to make themselves sound more intelligent by making sentences more complex than necessary. Also I am not sure "low humidity" is a good term to use when we are talking monolayers. Humidity is a statistical term (and also assumes presence of air) and what happens in this filter has nothing to do with statistics. Is the space around a molecule other than water "low humidity" region? Dunno... seems a bit forced to me.