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Scheme showing the conversion of chemical energy into mechanical energy via changes in salinity. Left) A hydrogel swollen in a 4.3 wt% NaCl solution, as a model for seawater, is exposed to fresh water. Driven by the osmotic pressure, fresh water enters the hydrogel and the resulting further swelling causes a weight to move upwards. Right) The swollen hydrogel is then again exposed to a 4.3 wt% NaCl solution causing the polymeric hydrogel to shrink. This process can be repeated.
