The Centre for Membrane Science and Technology at the University of New South Wales was originally established as a Commonwealth Special Research Centre in February 1988.

In 1992, Mr. Barry Jones MP signed an agreement on behalf of the Centre with UNESCO by which the Centre was awarded the status of a UNESCO Centre for Membrane Science and Technology, one of only four UNESCO Science Centres worldwide. The UNESCO Centre functions under the auspices of the Commonwealth Special Research Centre.

Internationally the Centre has a growing network of collaborators and potential collaborators. These activities have been further strengthened by the Centre's UNESCO status. Close liaison is also maintained with Australian industry, and the Centre provides a significant technological resource for independent and objective assessment. It was recognised at the outset that the experimental and theoretical analytical tools developed for the study of bio-membranes and the processes in bio-membranes, could hold keys to the successful development of membrane based devices, biosensors and high performance membranes for industrial purposes.

The Centre is hosted jointly by the Departments of Biophysics, School of Physics, and Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry. The Centre has two co-directors, Professor Hans Coster (Biophysics Group) and Professor Tony Fane (Chemical Engineering Group).

• Fundamental studies, both experimental and theoretical, aimed at elucidating molecular structure, transport mechanisms and electrical properties of the membranes of living cells as well as synthetic membranes.
• Fundamental research and development of new biosensors based on molecular films and nanostructures.
• Fundamental studies and development of Field Effect Membranes.
• Development of novel conducting membranes which allow electrical control of separation, fouling and cleaning.
• Development of new instruments and theoretical analytical tools for the physical characterisation of membranes and membrane processes. A major technique pioneered in the Centre is that of low frequency impedance spectroscopy.
• The application of membranes to biotechnology, water and waste water, process industries and biomedicine. A good example is the development of a hybrid membrane electro-disinfection system for water supplies.

The Centre continues to be involved in international research and training programs. The UNESCO Centre was instrumental in establishing the Centre for Biophysics and Membrane Science and Technology at the Prince of Songkla University in Thailand where it also continues to have direct involvement in training programs and is involved in collaborative research projects. It has also conducted training workshops at the Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia. A postgraduate training program is being planned with the National Biodynamics Centre in Bucharest, Romania and the Membrane Industry Association of China. In addition, Centre staff interact with many other research and training institutes around the globe and we are host to many international visitors.