In 1989. the U.S Department of Energy commissioned Membrane Technology and Research, Inc (MTR) to perform a study of research needs in the membrane separation industry. The study was performed by a group of six membrane experts representing various fields of membrane technology Membrane separations were divided Into seven application areas This manuscript summarizes the key results from this effort and provides a perspective on the success of the study and its impact on membrane separations Considerable progress has been made in a number of key areas, with some important and unanticipated developments This type of technology assessment can play an important role in setting the directions for research and development, both for individual scientists and engineers and for the broad membrane community. (C) 2010 Elsevier B V. All rights reserved