From membrane material synthesis to fabrication and function (SynFabFun)

Membranes used for industrial filtration—from water purification to chemical processing—gradually clog or degrade, losing performance over months or years. This project tackles the fundamental problem of membrane ageing and fouling. Current high-performance polymer, ceramic, and inorganic membranes all suffer from material relaxation or build-up of foreign material, which limits their real-world impact. The researchers aim to create membranes that simply do not age or foul, maintaining their separation function indefinitely. If successful, the impact would be felt across energy-intensive industries. Better membranes could make chemical separations—which currently consume enormous amounts of energy—far more efficient. Water treatment plants, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and food processing all rely on membranes that currently require frequent replacement or cleaning. Stable, long-lasting membranes would reduce downtime, lower energy costs, and enable entirely new process options. This is applied materials science, not fundamental research. The team will synthesise new membrane materials, fabricate novel composites (polymeric, ceramic, and hybrid), and develop new characterisation techniques to prove the concept works. Their ambition is to shift the global membrane community’s focus from chasing ever-higher initial permeability to creating membranes with stable, long-term performance suitable for industrial application.