UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science and Technology

A visiting scientist from the University of Bonn (Germany) conducting 
an experiment on the dielectrophoresis of cells.

THE CENTRE FOR Membrane Science and Technology is a Commonwealth Special Research Centre in February and is jointly managed by the Departments of Biophysics (School of Physics) and Chemical Engineering (School of Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry).

In 1992, the Centre was awarded the status of a UNESCO Science Centre. The UNESCO Centre functions under the auspices of the Commonwealth Special Research Centre.

The Centre has two co-directors, Professor Hans Coster (Biophysics Group) and Professor Tony Fane (Chemical Engineering Group).

The Centre has conducted specialist workshops in Thailand, Indonesia and Romania and conducts a Biennial Information Conference on Membrane Sciences and Technology. It is host to many international visitors.

The aims of the UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science and Technology are:

• To promote fundamental research into membrane processes, particularly at the molecular level in both living and synthetic systems,
• To promote the application of membrane science and technology to improve the quality of life, particularly in developing countries,

• To provide training in research and application of membranes for science and engineering graduates,
• To conduct research and development which will lead to the next generation of membrane-based separation and sensing devices,

The research interests of the Centre include:

• fundamental studies, both experimental and theoretical, aimed at elucidating molecular structure, transport mechanisms and electrical properties of synthetic and biological cell membranes

• fundamental studies and development of Field Effect Membranes
• development of new instruments and theoretical analytical tools for the physical characterisation of membranes
• biomedical applications of membranes
• development of novel conducting membranes which allow electrical control of separation, fouling and cleaning.

Terry Chilcott, Hans Coster, 
Seyed Sadr Ghayeni,
Galina Kaseko, 
Tohsak Mahaworasilpa, 
David Monaghan, Virginia Shepherd & John Smith

A group of scientists from Thailand 
(Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai) 
conducting experiments on the electrical
 properties of synthetic membranes.