ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Ion-exchange membrane

An ion-exchange membrane is like a special type of filter that works with tiny particles called ions. Imagine that you have a bag filled with different-colored marbles, and you want to separate them into different groups based on their colors. An ion-exchange membrane sort of does the same thing, but instead of colors, it separates different types of tiny particles.

The membrane is like a thin sheet that has tiny holes in it, and it works like a gatekeeper because it only allows certain types of ions to pass through, while blocking others. Think of it like a door that only opens for certain people with a special pass, but not for others who don't have the right pass.

To make the ion-exchange membrane work, you need to add electricity to it. This electricity changes the charge of the ions, which helps them move through the membrane. This is kind of like the force that pulls you towards the ground when you jump because of gravity - the electricity pulls the ions through the membrane.

Ion-exchange membranes are helpful for many different things, such as purifying water, separating different chemicals in a lab, and making electric batteries more efficient. They're super cool because they are very selective and only let certain types of ions through, which makes them a very important tool in many fields of science and technology.
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