Hydrodynamics of spatially inhomogeneous real membranes

Electrokinetic processes in the vicinity of inhomogeneous ion-selective surfaces (electrodes, membranes, microchannels, and nanochannels) consisting of alternating conducting and non-conducting regions in the presence of normal-to-surface electric current are numerically studied. An increase in the electric current density is observed in the case of some particular alternation of conducting and nonconducting regions of the surface. The voltage–current characteristics of homogeneous and inhomogeneous electric membranes are found to be in qualitative agreement. Various physical phenomena leading to the emergence of supercritical current in homogeneous and inhomogeneous membranes are detected.