The role of magnetic fields on the membrane-based separation of aqueous electrolyte solutions

Molecular simulations using the method of molecular dynamics have been carried out to examine the role that external magnetic fields can play in the transport of water via reverse osmosis (RO) across membranes. Our results show that magnetic fields can increase the transport rate of water across such membranes significantly. These observations can have an important impact on making RO separation processes that involve the removal of water from solutions more efficient, since low flux rates across membranes is an important problem encountered in most current RO processes. We are aware of no experimental studies of such effects.