Materials & Manufacturing

State-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries are hindered by their limited theoretical energy density and the natural scarcity of lithium resources. Sodium-sulphur chemistry uses abundant elements to yield high specific capacity and energy density.

Investigating various applications of advanced composite materials in the aerospace, civil infrastructure, and marine industries, including: the development of new structural design and analysis methods; experimental characterisation of new materials; and studies of structural performance and manufacturing effects.

Thermomechanical quench-polish-quench (QPQ) surface modification—using waste, rather than the traditional cyanide-based environment—on different types of steel, to increase resistance to corrosion and abrasion.

Medium- and high-entropy coatings enhance the toughness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance of tooling, extending its operating life and reducing costs.

Advanced expertise in the design, modelling, optimisation, manufacturing and testing of lightweight fibre-reinforced composites enabling new materials and structures.

Testing the performance and functionality of materials by subjecting them to a range of extreme loading conditions, including shock loading, ballistic loading, dynamic tension, compression and shear. Diagnostic techniques are used to understand the precise impact of extreme dynamic stress.