Materials Engineering encompasses the fundamental work that underpins the development, specification and engineering applications of new and existing materials. It focuses on the understanding of physical and chemical descriptions that underlie materials performance and developing property and performance models. Research areas include kinetics and formation mechanisms of new materials and predictive modelling based upon mechanistic understanding. Work in this area covers the production, property measurement and performance assessment of ceramics, polymers, metals and composites, in particular the development of new materials for advanced engineering applications (including microelectronics, optics and power transmission).

Current research includes: developing novel surface engineering processes and materials (such as fullerene-like coating materials); energy-based methods for performance modelling; nanomaterials and nanocharacterisation techniques; and novel materials for intensified processes. The measurement and modelling of the mechanical response of materials at high-spatial resolution, particularly in microelectronic and optical devices, is a major specialism of the School and is supported by a combination of unique equipment and interdisciplinary expertise.

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