Professor Ho Ghim Wei (extreme right) and her team from the National University of Singapore have developed a revolutionary technique for producing ultrathin inorganic membranes that are energy-efficient and highly customisable for different applications. Team members (left to right) Dr Zhang Chen, Dr Xu Yingfeng and Dr Lu Wanheng are holding samples of the novel membranes. Behind them is an image recording the formation of an inorganic membrane from dynamic particles viewed under the microscope.

Limitations of traditional membrane technologies served as the impetus for Dr Zhang Chen (seated) in Professor Ho Ghim Wei’s (standing) team in the National University of Singapore to develop a new synthesis strategy for highly efficient inorganic membranes (samples displayed on the table).