The Center for Molecular Engineering (CME) conducts a range of research related to materials for water, including:

• Advanced sorbents for cleaning oil spills and other applications in separations and water pollution remediation.
• Membranes capable of filtering or breaking down targeted materials (pathogens, pharmaceuticals, etc.) with extreme selectivity and energy efficiency.
• Coatings for surfaces that prevent the attachment of so-called ​“foulants” — and even to actively self-clean if foulants do attach — extending the lifetime of countless components in water systems.
• New strategies for sensors and cyberphysical sensing networks to detect water quality in real time and with high geospatial resolution.
• The Argonne TRACER Center has advanced the science of krypton dating to a practical level for young and ancient groundwater and glacial ice.