Current Trends and Future Developments on (Bio-) Membranes: Membrane Desalination Systems: The Next Generation explores recent developments and future perspectives in the area of membrane desalination systems. It includes fundamental principles, the different types of smart nano-structured materials, energy and brine disposal issues, design approaches and the environmental impact of membrane desalination technology. The book provides an extensive review of literature in the area of membranes for desalination systems of low energy consumption and discusses the membrane modelling necessary for desalination system validation in achieving high water recovery, low energy and near-zero liquid discharge. - Outlines the use of the potential of salinity gradient power from brines for a low-energy desalination concept - Focuses on the development of integrated membrane systems to achieve the goal of near-zero-liquid-discharge - Summarizes the latest advancement in the nanosciences for creating membranes with advanced properties and functions