Researchers have figured out how to design special materials with incredibly tiny, organized tunnels running through them. These materials, called covalent organic frameworks, are like tiny sponges made of connected molecules. The challenge has always been that when you try to make the tunnels bigger, the material’s structure gets messy and unpredictable. Scientists solved this problem by carefully choosing which building blocks to use, creating two new types of materials where one type has tunnels that grow in a controlled way—with the biggest ones measuring 5.1 nanometers across (that’s about 20,000 times smaller than a human hair). These materials could eventually be useful for filtering, storing, or separating different substances.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How to design special porous materials with large, organized tunnels by choosing the right molecular building blocks
  • Who participated: This was laboratory research creating new materials, not a study with human or animal participants
  • Key finding: Scientists created two new types of materials. One type had unpredictable tunnel sizes, but the other type had tunnels that grew in a controlled way, with the largest reaching 5.1 nanometers—a record size for this type of material
  • What it means for you: These materials could eventually be used in water filters, medicine delivery systems, or air purification, though practical applications are still years away. This is basic science research that opens doors for future innovations

The Research Details

Scientists used a strategy called ’topology-driven design’ to create new materials. Think of topology like the basic blueprint or skeleton of a structure. They started with a basic framework design and then modified it by choosing different molecular building blocks—like using different types of LEGO pieces to build from the same basic plan. This created two different material families with different properties.

The researchers then tested these new materials thoroughly using multiple techniques to understand their structure and confirm that the tunnels were really there and accessible. They even tested whether large molecules like vitamin B12 and myoglobin (a protein) could fit through the tunnels, which confirmed the tunnels were big enough and open enough to be useful.

This research matters because creating porous materials with large, predictable tunnels has been very difficult. When scientists tried to make tunnels bigger in the past, the material’s structure would become unstable or unpredictable. By understanding the underlying design principles (topology), these researchers found a way to control what happens, making the process more reliable and predictable

This research was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, one of the most respected chemistry journals. The scientists used multiple advanced testing methods to verify their results, and they tested whether real molecules could actually use the tunnels they created. However, this is laboratory research creating new materials—it’s not yet tested in real-world applications

What the Results Show

The researchers created two different families of materials from the same basic blueprint. The first family (called mmm) showed unpredictable tunnel sizes that jumped around (from 2.6 to 3.9 to 1.2 nanometers), making it less useful. The second family (called jcg) showed much better behavior, with tunnel sizes that grew in a controlled, predictable way as the scientists made changes.

The star of the study was a material called JUC-698, which had the largest tunnels ever created in this type of material—5.1 nanometers across. To put this in perspective, that’s large enough to fit some important biological molecules through it. The researchers confirmed these tunnels were real and accessible by testing whether large molecules could actually pass through them.

The research showed that the choice of molecular building blocks was crucial. By carefully selecting which pieces to use, scientists could predict and control how the material would form and what size tunnels it would have. This suggests that the same strategy could be used to design other types of porous materials with specific properties

Previous attempts to create large-pore materials in this family often resulted in unpredictable structures or materials that collapsed. This research shows a more systematic way to design these materials that actually works. The 5.1 nanometer pore size is a record for this type of material, suggesting this approach is genuinely better than previous methods

This research was done in a laboratory with pure materials under controlled conditions. Real-world applications would need to test whether these materials work in messier, more complex situations. The study didn’t test how long these materials would last or how they’d perform if used repeatedly. Additionally, the practical applications are still theoretical—this is foundational research that needs further development before it could be used in actual products

The Bottom Line

This is basic science research, so there are no direct recommendations for consumers yet. However, it’s promising research that could eventually lead to better water filters, air purification systems, or medical applications. For now, this is important work that scientists and engineers should follow as it develops

Materials scientists, chemical engineers, and companies working on filtration or separation technologies should pay attention to this research. Environmental scientists interested in water purification might find this relevant. The general public should care because this type of basic research often leads to practical innovations years later

This is early-stage research. It typically takes 5-10 years or more for laboratory discoveries like this to become practical products. Don’t expect to see these materials in consumer products immediately, but this work is laying important groundwork for future innovations

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Users interested in materials science could track their learning about porous materials and their applications by noting articles read, concepts learned, and potential real-world uses they discover
  • Users could set a goal to learn about one new material science breakthrough per week, or explore how filtration and separation technologies work in everyday products they use
  • Track engagement with materials science content over time, monitor which topics generate the most interest, and note connections users make between laboratory research and real-world applications

This article describes laboratory research in materials science. These materials are not yet available for consumer use and are still in the research phase. Any future applications would need to undergo extensive testing for safety and effectiveness before being used in medical, environmental, or consumer products. This research does not provide medical advice or treatment recommendations. Consult appropriate professionals before making decisions based on emerging scientific research.