Nanofluidics

Fluid transport at the nanoscale is ubiquitous in nature. However, rigorous study of fluid flow and structure in artificial nanopores only emerged relatively recently. Termed nanofluidics, the field is driven by the rise of nanomaterials and nanofabrication techniques and supported by theoretical progress beyond continuum fluid dynamics. Nanofluidics has a wide range of applications, such as nanopore sensing and membrane technologies for sieving and energy harvesting, leading to growth of the field. In this Primer, an overview of nanofluidic methods is provided, from the fabrication of the first nanopores to advanced functionalities, such as brain-inspired ionic computing. Focus is given to experimental approaches, including device fabrication and scale-up strategies, in addition to a discussion of limitations, margin for improvements and future directions. Nanofluidics studies fluids in artificial nanopores, in which confinement and interfaces result in unique phenomena. This Primer looks at how to prepare nanostructures and probe fluid transport at the nanoscale, including scale-up strategies.