Membranes For Clean Energy and Sustainable Environment

In the coming decade, membrane science will play an important role in addressing non thermal based separation needs for various clean energy technologies and helping the world to achieve a sustainable environment. Specific applications like, H₂ utilization and production, CO₂ capture and reuse, plastic deconstructions, chemical process separations and water purifications are noteworthy. On one hand each of these applications has specific performance metrices, on the other hand they share a common fundamental question; relation of membrane structure to transport of various species. In addition to understanding the structure-property relationships, membrane fabrication, and prototype testing are additional research areas for accelerating membrane development. These areas sit at the intersection of engineering, basic science, and science policy and partnerships. There is a need to develop a cross-functional, inter-agency membrane platform initiative to drive such goals. The presentation will focus on key membranes application areas like H2 fuel cells, water purification, waste plastic circularity, and carbon capture, emphasizing recent developments, market and societal needs, and proposed research topics.