Novel Materials

Goal and Vision

The Novel Materials programme combines expertise in design and synthesis of nano and molecular building blocks with their integration into macroscopic materials and devices. The aim? To explore new material compositions and processing methods with enhanced multifunctional capabilities such as electrochemical, biological mechanical, acoustic, electrical and fire resistance. Secondly, to explore the processing-structure-property relationships across the nano to the macroscale for a wide range of chemistries and applications. Formed by chemists, physicists, and engineers (chemistry, materials, mechanical and aeronautical), this interdisciplinary research group carries out both fundamental and applied research via close collaboration with companies in the transport, aerospace, energy, nanotechnology, and biomedical sectors. The programme’s research facilities include state-of-the-art equipment for synthesis, processing, manufacturing, structural/materials characterisation, and material properties.

Main research lines

  • Nanocarbon/semiconductor hybrids synthesis for photo and electrocatalysis, interaction of nanocarbons with liquid molecules, polyelectrolytes, and inorganic salts.
  • Inorganic nanowire synthesis and assembly as macroscopic yarns and fabrics.
  • Sensors: triboelectric, thermoresistive chemical, piezoresistive and piezoelectric.
  • Hierarchical materials: nanoscale to macroscale materials design, nano-reinforced materials, porous materials, composite materials with enhanced electrical and thermal conductivity, materials with built-in 3D printability.
  • Halide perovskite photocatalysts for solar to chemical energy conversion.
  • Sustainable materials: bio-based nanocarriers, novel guest-host nanomaterials, multifunctional polymer nanocomposites, renewable and recyclable polymeric materials, biodegradable polymers, carbon fibre reinforcement, etc.
  • Fire retardant materials through nanodesign: multifunctional nanomaterials to increase fire retardancy: layered double hydroxides, Metal-Organic Frameworks, sepiolite, molybdenum disulphide, nanocarbon, graphene, cellulose nanocrystal, etc.
  • Energy storage and energy saving materials, PCMs for thermal management.
  • Thermo- and electro-catalytic recycling of polymer wastes.
  • High-throughput design and synthesis of magnetron sputtering of novel catalysts for green hydrogen production and hydrogen energy generation via elastic strain engineering.
  • Development of nanostructured metal oxides and single-atom catalysts for water electrolysis.
  • High-entropy alloys for water electrolysis.
  • Impact, high temperature, mechanical, fire and predictive simulation.
  • Prediction and prevention strategy for metal- and polymer-based composite materials under simultaneously extreme conditions such as high-temperature behaviour and structural loading.
  • Nanostructured silicon and other alloying anodes.
  • Carbon nanotube electrodes and metal-free current collectors.
  • Electrode development (defect-engineered).
  • Fire-safe materials for battery system.
  • Fire-retardant electrolytes (Liquid, Gel, Solid) and binders.
  • AI-accelerated electrolyte composition optimisation.
  • Active materials for post LIBs.
  • Biodegradable cardiovascular metallic stents via 3D printing.
  • New materials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine: Bioresorbable metallic and composite scaffolds for bone and cartilage regeneration via 3D printing and natural biopolymers (e.g. extracellular matrix) derived scaffolds for musculoskeletal and spinal cord tissue engineering.
  • Metamaterial strategies for tissue function restoration.
  • Materials and devices for organs-on-chips, spheroid/organoid generation, and in vitro tissue models.
  • Degradable metal nanoparticles for biomedical applications anticancer or antibacterial activity.
  • Molecule-based material biofunctionalisation and surface modification for improved performance.
  • Design of acoustic and mechanical metamaterials for wave control, vibration mitigation, and energy management.
  • Programmable and reconfigurable materials enabling dynamic control of mechanical and acoustic properties.
  • Emergent and collective behaviour in structured media
  • Topological effects in acoustic and elastic systems for robust and directional wave transport.
  • Shape-morphing and adaptive structures for large deformations and functional mechanical responses.
  • Metamaterials for impact mitigation, energy absorption, and extreme mechanical conditions.
  • Multi-physics coupling in metamaterials (acoustic–mechanical–thermal) for enhanced functionality.

RESEARCH GROUPS

Acoustic and Mechanical Metamaterials

Biometals, Coatings and Devices

Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine

Catalysis and Energy Materials

High Performance Polymers and Fire Retardants

Multifunctional Nanocomposites

RobotMat: Accelerated Materials Discovery

Tissue Engineening and Biomedical Materials