Artificial water channels (AWCs) are synthetic mimics of biological water channel proteins, aquaporins. They combine the characteristic features of aquaporins, including a transmembrane orientation in biomimetic membrane matrices and the possibility of combining high water permeability with high water/solute selectivity, with higher processability and stability compared to protein channels. AWCs have thus emerged as a platform for biomimetic membrane development. During the last few years, remarkable progress has been made in AWC synthesis and characterization but bridging these advances to practical membrane development still remains a significant challenge. In this article, we review some recent concepts regarding permeability in water channels and its relevance to AWCs, common misconceptions and need for better clarity in permeability and selectivity characterization of AWCs, and prospective applications of channel-based membranes beyond desalination.

人工水通道（AWC）是生物水通道蛋白水通道蛋白的合成模拟物。它们结合了水通道蛋白的特征，包括在仿生膜基质中的跨膜取向，以及将高水渗透性与高水/溶质选择性相结合的可能性，与蛋白质通道相比具有更高的可加工性和稳定性。因此，AWC已经成为仿生膜开发的平台。在过去的几年中，AWC的合成和表征取得了显着进展，但将这些进展与实际膜开发相结合仍然是一项重大挑战。在本文中，我们回顾了有关水道渗透性及其与AWC的相关性的一些最新概念，