Our Materials Engineering degree includes the development, specification and engineering applications of new and existing materials.Our research areas within Materials Engineering includekinetics and formation mechanisms of new materialspredictive modelling based upon mechanistic understandingWork covers the production, property measurement and performance assessment of: ceramics, polymers, metals, compositesYour research will focus on understanding the physical and chemical descriptions that underlie material's performance. You'll also work towards developing property and performance models of materialsWe focus on developing new materials for advanced engineering applications. This includes microelectronics, optics and power transmissionCurrent research projects include:developing novel surface engineering processes and materials (such as fullerene-like coating materials)energy-based methods for performance modellingnanomaterials and nanocharacterisation techniquesnovel materials for intensified processesOne of our research strengths is measurement and modelling of the mechanical response of materials at high-spatial-resolution. This is particularly in microelectronic and optical devices. A combination of unique equipment and interdisciplinary expertise supports this. Another research focus is the materials requirements for sustainable development. This includes the use of key resources, in particular water and energy. We have significant research into the generation of: energy from novel sourceslow carbon and renewable technologies, application of materials for the healthcare sector, the clean-up of effluent and wastewater.Our major research topics include: fuel cells, bio-fuel cells and energy systems, gasification, cold plasma gasificationbiofuel production, gas, water and solid treatment, nano-structured polymer composites for pollution controlsustainable and environmental electrochemical systems, photochemical processes and electrochemical synthesisOur mission is to foster, promote and conduct research of international quality. We attract high-quality graduates and researchers and train them to international standards.