# Scientists Create 'POMbranes' — Crystalline Membranes With Nanoscale Pores That Clean Water 10 Times More Efficiently

*2026-06-14 02:02 UTC · Science · 1 min read*

> Scientists developed crystalline POMbranes with 1-nanometer pores that achieve 10x better molecular separation than existing membranes, potentially slashing industrial energy consumption.

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Nanyang Technological University, and CSIR-CSMCRI have developed a new class of filtration membranes called "POMbranes" — crystalline structures with precisely uniform one-nanometer pores inspired by biological water channels called aquaporins. Published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, the technology delivers nearly 10 times better molecular separation performance than current industrial membranes.

The membranes use polyoxometalate clusters to create stable, permanent pores that can distinguish between molecules differing by only 100–200 Daltons. Unlike conventional membranes whose pores vary in size, POMbranes achieve extreme precision while remaining chemically stable across harsh industrial environments and varying pH levels. The flexible sheets can be scaled to industrial sizes without losing their nanoscale uniformity.

The potential impact is enormous: industrial separation processes currently account for 40–50% of global industrial energy consumption. Applications range from pharmaceutical purification to textile wastewater treatment and water recycling — sectors where efficient filtration could dramatically cut energy use and environmental impact.

## Sources

- [sciencedaily.com](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/06/260612032049.htm)

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