MPhil/PhD Materials Engineering

Materials Engineering includes the development, specification and engineering applications of new and existing materials. Your research will focus on understanding the physical and chemical descriptions that underlie materials performance, and develop property and performance models of materials.

As a postgraduate researcher in Materials Engineering you will be based in the School of Engineering. Our research areas include kinetics and formation mechanisms of new materials, and predictive modelling based upon mechanistic understanding. Work covers the production, property measurement and performance assessment of:

ceramics
polymers
metals
composites

We focus on developing new materials for advanced engineering applications, including microelectronics, optics and power transmission.

Current research projects include:

developing novel surface engineering processes and materials (such as fullerene-like coating materials)
energy-based methods for performance modelling
nanomaterials and nanocharacterisation techniques
novel materials for intensified processes

A major research strength is the measurement and modelling of the mechanical response of materials at high-spatial resolution, particularly in microelectronic and optical devices. A combination of unique equipment and interdisciplinary expertise supports this.

Another research focus is the materials requirements for the sustainable development and use of key resources, in particular water and energy. We have significant research into the generation of energy from novel sources, low carbon and renewable technologies and the clean-up of effluent and wastewater.

Our major areas of research are:

fuel cells and energy systems
gasification
cold plasma gasification
bio-fuel cells
bio-diesel production
gas and water treatment
nano-structured polymer composites for pollution control
sustainable and environmental electrochemical systems
photochemical processes and electrochemical synthesis

The School of Engineering runs a postgraduate training programme that is compulsory for all new students and involves selected taught modules. You also receive research training from the Science, Agriculture and Engineering Graduate School that covers professional/key skills, personal development and research techniques. You have the opportunity to supplement your income by undertaking laboratory demonstrating and tutorial classes.