Selective ion transport device

摘要

A device for controlled transport of ions is provided comprising an ion source element and an ion target element both conducting ions of a first class e.g. cations, and an ion selective element which conducts ions of a second class e.g. anions. The device further comprises a transport element, which receives ions from the ion source element and releases them to the ion target element in response to an electrochemical potential difference provided across the ion transport element. In use a first electrochemical potential is applied to the control element, which increases the concentration of ions of said second class, which increased concentration in turn increases the ion transport rate of ions of said first class in the ion transport element.

主权项

1. An ionic transistor device for controlled transport of ions comprising:
a first source element arranged to receive ions of a first class from an ion source, a first target element arranged to release ions of said first class to an ion target, wherein each of said first source element and said first target element comprises an ion selective electrochemically active material which conducts said first class of ions, a first control element corresponding to the gate of said ionic transistor device, the first control element comprising ion selective electrochemically active material which conducts a second class of ions, wherein said first class of ions is one of cations and anions, and said second class of ions is the other one of cations and anions, and a first ion transport element arranged in direct ionic contact with all of said first source element, said first target element and said first control element,wherein said first control element is arranged to receive a first electrochemical potential which increases the concentration of ions of said second class in said ion transport element, andwherein said first ion transport element is further arranged to receive ions of said first class from said first source element in response to said increased concentration of ions of said second class, to release ions of said first class to said first target element in response to a second electrochemical potential difference provided across said ion transport element and said first source element, and to provide an ionic connection for said ions of said first class between said first source element and said first target element.