Loeb made reverse osmosis (RO) practical by developing, together with Srinivasa Sourirajan, semi-permeable anisotropic membranes.
Loeb invented the power generating process pressure retarded osmosis (PRO)--making accessible a rich previously unknown source of green energy, and a method of producing power by a reverse electrodialysis (RED) heat engine, among other inventions in related fields.
Prior to joining UCLA as a graduate student, he worked in the Los Angeles area in the fields of petrochemicals, rocket engines, and nuclear reactors.
For 15 years at BGU, Loeb carried out research and taught membrane processes, desalination, and other subjects.
It was at BGU that Loeb invented pressure retarded osmosis [7] and a method of producing power by a reverse electrodialysis heat engine.