Nanopores have long been a topic that attracts many research groups worldwide because of their abundant existence in nature and that they show highly interesting features. The small-sized porous structure leads to an important attribute of nanopores, that is, the very high ratio between their interior surface area and volume.  Moreover, the interactions between nanopores and ions/molecules are within the range of this nanoscale confinement, which leads to a unique circumstance when the substrates are transported through the pores.

     In the past decade, many have attempted, with some degree of success, to synthesis artificial structures that mimic the unique properties of biological pores. The produced solid-state nanopores can withstand a wider range of external conditions (e.g. temperature, pH, ionic strength and applied voltage), and hence are suitable in many more applications. On the other hand, the reproducibility of structure precisely at the atomic level, as in the biological pores, is difficult and a major drawback for these man-made ones. However, the design and fabrication of synthetic nanopores (solid-state nanopore) to achieve the desired functions are currently of huge interest. Recent applications in the field of nanofluidic devices, semiconductors, and sensitive sensors certainly drive this area to advance even more rapidly. The different designs of artificial nanopores have been fabricated and studied for applications in nanopore technology. Cylindrical (CY), hourglass (HG), and conical (CO) shapes are common pore geometries used currently. Each of these shapes was found to promote different transport abilities.

     Our group performs computer simulations to extract data on transport properties of such pores. Selectivity and flow behaviour are captured by multiscale simulation methods (finite elements and MD simulations). We aim at helping experimentalists to design decent nanopores with desired properties.