Mission of the Institute for Membrane Technology (ITM) is the research and development in the field of science and engineering of membranes. The research activities aim to promote knowledge, innovation and high-level training in the field of membranes and their application in water treatment, gas separation, bioartificial organs, biotechnology, food and agriculture. With more than 100 people (including 30 permanent staff, 37 research contracts, 4 associated professors, 8 PhD students, 39 foreing visiting scientists, 14 master students, 12 trainees), ITM is the major critical mass in the world specialized in membrane technology and it is internationally recognized for its peculiar skills in the preparation and characterization of membranes (organic, inorganic, mixed matrix, biohybrid); transport phenomena through membranes; molecular selective membrane separations; development of catalytic membranes, catalytic membrane reactors, membrane contactors (including emulsifiers and crystallizers); development of integrated membrane processes; development of membranes in biotechnology, regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Membrane technologies have achieved a leading role with a more than 20% annual growth. ITM has established collaborations with various Research Institutes, Universities and Companies located in Italy, Europe, Middle East, China, South Korea, Japan, India, Brazil, United States and Australia. This reflects a remarkable ability to attract funds for research, development and high education, affecting the socio-economic and cultural environment. ITM attracts many researchers from renowned foreign Universities and Research Institutions, generating a dynamic and multicultural environment that enriches and stimulates further the activities of the Institute.

Excellence of the Institute

ITM is internationally recognized as a centre of excellence in the field of membrane science and technology. ITM is leader in the development of novel membrane operations such as membrane crystallizers, membrane emulsification, membrane dryer. Unique skills and expertise are in the membrane bioartificial organs,  biocatalytic membrane systems, development of membranes and membrane operations for agro-food and water treatment, preparation and characterization of highly selective membranes for gas separation using mixed gases and in presence of contaminants.

The scientific achievements are published in the leading journals in the field of membrane science, engineering, related subject areas and in the most prestigious journals, such as Nature Materials and Science.

ITM international reputation is also testified by the involvement of researchers in the editorial board of ISI journals, editing of encyclopedia and books published by Wiley, Elsevier, De Gruyter, Springer etc. ITM is partner and coordinator of European, transnational, international and national projects.

ITM is characterized by a high internationalization profile, attracting annually numerous visiting scientists from abroad. Within this contest, one of the success is represented by the joint international laboratory for membrane technology in cooperation with Hanyang University, South Korea.