Biological ion channels featuring asymmetries in structure, composition, and charge distribution have superior controllable ion transport properties, such as ion selectivity, ion gating, and ion rectification, by which life executes diverse activities, including signal transduction, cell motility, and mass and energy transfer. Inspired by this, researchers have never stopped pursuing artificial ion channels that can achieve comparable functions. Despite successful explorations in many fields, current homogeneous nanochannels, however, have not yet offered sufficient rewards comparable to those of their natural counterparts. However, hierarchically engineered heterogeneous nanochannels have gradually come onto the stage because of their excellent ion selectivity, permeability, and rectification properties and thus have been shining brilliantly in fields such as selective ion transport, energy conversion, biomolecular separation, and detection. In this article, we briefly review the recent advances of hierarchically engineered nanochannel systems in terms of pore-on-pore and pore-in-pore structures, with an emphasis on promising applications, including ion-selective transport, osmotic energy harvesting, separation, and biosensing. Finally, current challenges and conceivable solutions are also discussed to advance the design and applications of hierarchical nanochannel systems.

具有结构、组成和电荷分布不对称性的生物离子通道具有优异的可控离子传输特性，如离子选择性、离子门控和离子整流，生命通过这些特性执行多种活动，包括信号转导、细胞运动、质量和能量转移。受此启发，研究人员从未停止追求能够实现类似功能的人工离子通道。尽管在许多领域进行了成功的探索，但目前的同质纳米通道尚未提供与其天然对应物相媲美的足够回报。然而，分层工程化的异质纳米通道以其优异的离子选择性、渗透性、和整流性能，因此在选择性离子传输、能量转换、生物分子分离和检测等领域大放异彩。在这篇文章中，我们简要回顾了分层工程纳米通道系统在孔上孔和孔中孔结构方面的最新进展，重点介绍了有前途的应用，包括离子选择性传输、渗透能量收集、分离、和生物传感。最后，还讨论了当前的挑战和可能的解决方案，以推进分层纳米通道系统的设计和应用。我们简要回顾了分层工程纳米通道系统在孔上孔和孔中孔结构方面的最新进展，重点介绍了有前途的应用，包括离子选择性传输、渗透能量收集、分离和生物传感。最后，还讨论了当前的挑战和可能的解决方案，以推进分层纳米通道系统的设计和应用。我们简要回顾了分层工程纳米通道系统在孔上孔和孔中孔结构方面的最新进展，重点介绍了有前途的应用，包括离子选择性传输、渗透能量收集、分离和生物传感。最后，还讨论了当前的挑战和可能的解决方案，以推进分层纳米通道系统的设计和应用。