Prof. André Ayral received his Ph.D. in “Dense Media and Materials” from the University of Montpellier (France) in 1988. He first served as research engineer at the French Nuclear Agency (CEA). He then joined the Graduate National Higher School of Chemistry of Montpellier (ENSCM) as an assistant professor in 1991. Since 2002 he is Professor of Chemistry at University of Montpellier. He is currently coordinator of the Erasmus Mundus Master in "Membrane Engineering" as well as coordinator for Educational Affairs of Regional Centre of Excellence in Chemistry Balard. He is also Vice-President of the Materials Science French Federation. He carries out his research activities within the European Institute of Membranes of Montpellier. His main research interests include synthesis and characterization of inorganic and hybrid porous materials, thin films, and multifunctional membranes. He has 149 publications in peer reviewed international journals, 23 book editions or book chapters and 7 patents.