Pictured is schematic representation of an ultrafiltration membrane self-assembled from polymer brush nanoparticles. This and other types of functional membranes are described in an article published by the Zharov group and featured on the cover of ChemComm. The article describes the recently developed approach to the preparation of membrane materials by self-assembly of inorganic, polymeric or hybrid nanoparticles. Two types of such membranes are discussed, those possessing size and charge selectivity and suitable for ultra- and nanofiltration and chemoselective separations, and those possessing proton or lithium transport and suitable for fuel cells and lithium battery applications. View the full article.