Future Progress in Membrane Engineering

The principal aims of the modern human society can be described by few words: sustainability, partnership, innovation, discovery, and development. However, nowadays, the way to satisfy the increasing demand for progress, improvement, raw materials, energy and products under the constraints imposed by the concept of sustainable development is a complex problem. A possible solution is offered by process intensification (PI), a strategy which aims to increased competitiveness of the industrial productions by making industrial processes more efficient, faster and more environmentally friendly. In this context, appears clear that membrane science and technology would play a fundamental role. This paper will try to give an impression to readers on how membrane engineering could and should contribute to the realization of the process intensification strategy. Among the diverse applications of membrane technology, a vision on the current developments in some relevant and fast growing fields is presented. In the different sections, it is discussed the relevancy and the ways of realization of the generic PI-principles by the application of membrane engineering in three strategic sectors: water (desalination, purification), food, and energy.