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The Rise of Self‐Healing Electrochemical Membrane Bioreactors as a Paradigm Shift in Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery.

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Title: The Rise of Self‐Healing Electrochemical Membrane Bioreactors as a Paradigm Shift in Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery.
Authors: Mkilima, Timoth1 (AUTHOR) tmkilima@gmail.com
Source: Water & Environment Journal. May2026, Vol. 40 Issue 2, p203-223. 21p.
Subjects: Self-healing materials, Membrane reactors, Biological membranes, Electrolytic corrosion, Wastewater treatment, Membrane filter fouling, Sewage purification
Abstract: Wastewater treatment is essential for safeguarding public health, preserving ecosystems and ensuring sustainable water management. Conventional treatment technologies are often hindered by persistent challenges such as membrane fouling, electrode degradation and structural failures, which reduce efficiency and increase operational costs. Electrochemical membrane bioreactors (EMBRs) combine membrane filtration with electrochemical processes to enhance contaminant removal and enable resource recovery, yet their long‐term performance remains constrained by the deterioration of critical components. Self‐healing membranes, although increasingly studied for their autonomous damage repair and fouling resistance in water treatment applications, have not yet been integrated with electrochemical systems. This review introduces the concept of self‐healing electrochemical membrane bioreactors (SH‐EMBRs), highlighting the innovative potential of combining well‐established self‐healing materials with EMBRs. The integrated SH‐EMBR system combines electrochemical contaminant removal with membranes capable of autonomous self‐repair, enabling continuous mitigation of fouling, microcracks and electrode degradation while maintaining consistent filtration efficiency. Summary: This study highlights the innovative integration of self‐healing materials into electrochemical membrane bioreactors (SH‐EMBRs), presenting a novel approach to overcoming persistent issues like fouling, microcracking, and electrode degradation.The proposed SH‐EMBR system enhances operational stability, extends membrane lifespan, and ensures consistent contaminant removal efficiency, marking a significant advancement in sustainable wastewater treatment technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:Wastewater treatment is essential for safeguarding public health, preserving ecosystems and ensuring sustainable water management. Conventional treatment technologies are often hindered by persistent challenges such as membrane fouling, electrode degradation and structural failures, which reduce efficiency and increase operational costs. Electrochemical membrane bioreactors (EMBRs) combine membrane filtration with electrochemical processes to enhance contaminant removal and enable resource recovery, yet their long‐term performance remains constrained by the deterioration of critical components. Self‐healing membranes, although increasingly studied for their autonomous damage repair and fouling resistance in water treatment applications, have not yet been integrated with electrochemical systems. This review introduces the concept of self‐healing electrochemical membrane bioreactors (SH‐EMBRs), highlighting the innovative potential of combining well‐established self‐healing materials with EMBRs. The integrated SH‐EMBR system combines electrochemical contaminant removal with membranes capable of autonomous self‐repair, enabling continuous mitigation of fouling, microcracks and electrode degradation while maintaining consistent filtration efficiency. Summary: This study highlights the innovative integration of self‐healing materials into electrochemical membrane bioreactors (SH‐EMBRs), presenting a novel approach to overcoming persistent issues like fouling, microcracking, and electrode degradation.The proposed SH‐EMBR system enhances operational stability, extends membrane lifespan, and ensures consistent contaminant removal efficiency, marking a significant advancement in sustainable wastewater treatment technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:17476585
DOI:10.1111/wej.70026