forward osmosis
Quick Summary
Forward osmosis is a process where a solvent, typically water, moves across a semipermeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration. This movement is driven by the difference in osmotic pressure between the two solutions. Unlike reverse osmosis, which uses applied pressure to force solvent against the concentration gradient, forward osmosis relies on the natural osmotic pressure difference.123
This process has industrial applications, including water purification and the generation of renewable energy from salt gradients. It can also be used in hydration bags for emergency relief.2
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