Australasian membrane group launched

The Membrane Society of Australasia (MSA) was launched in Melbourne, Australia, on 5 May 2009 at a reception sponsored by Siemens.

Professor Mikel Duke, principal research fellow at the Institute for Sustainability & Innovation at Victoria University, is chair of the new society.

Speaking to ABC News, Duke said, “The formation of the Membrane Society is a reflection of the critical mass in membrane and science technology in Australia, and certainly demonstrates that Australia has world-class activities in membrane science and technology. Essentially what the society aims to do is provide a forum for knowledge exchange and link the activities from industry to research.”

The society was incorporated in January 2009, and its aims are:

  • To be the nexus of membrane science and technology activity in the Australasia region;
  • To promote collaborative engagements across the community to disseminate membrane technology to end users; and
  • To capture current research and industry involvement and highlight future trends.
  • Bearing in mind the needs and outlook of society in general, the MSA will seek to achieve its aims by:

  • providing an open forum for transferring and sharing technologies as well as capabilities within the members, industries and high education organizations;
  • supporting multidisciplinary networking events;
  • providing leadership and mentorship in membrane science for the Australasian membrane community;
  • promoting opportunities for young members; and
  • enabling wider understanding of the membrane technologies for public interest.
  • The MSA will support a major bid in 2009 for Australia to host the International Congress on Membranes and Membrane Processes (ICOM) in 2014.

    The society’s contact details are as follows:

    Membrane Society of Australasia
    Victoria University Werribee Campus, Building 4, Room 107, Hoppers Lane, Werribee, Victoria, 3030, Australia.
    Secretary: Ludovic Dumeé
    Email: ludovic.dumee@csiro.au
    Ph: +61 3 9545 2107
    Fax: +61 3 9545 2363
    Web: www.membrane-australasia.org