Experiment demonstrates nanoscale structures can improve reverse osmosis seawater desalination (IMAGE) Tsinghua University Press Caption The addition of crown ether through a polymerization process to pristine polyamide membranes used for desalination was found to increase performance in controlled lab settings, offering promise for a possible breakthrough in higher-performing reverse osmosis desalination technology. Credit Nano Research, Tsinghua University Press Usage Restrictions News organizations may use or redistribute this image, with proper attribution, as part of news coverage of this paper only. License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.