Research output per year
Research output per year
Organisation profile
Organisation profile
As one of the largest single-site materials research hubs in Europe, the Department of Materials has access to outstanding research facilities and specialist equipment.
Home to two major research centres, our Department works closely with several other institutes covering diverse research areas such as aerospace, nuclear energy and graphene.
Our multidisciplinary research is organised into eight broad, socially relevant themes:
Biomaterials
Coatings and ceramics
Fashion management and marketing
Imaging and characterisation
Metallurgy and corrosion
Nano and functional materials
Polymers and composites
Textiles and apparel
We have the highest research power level of any university materials activity in the UK and we place great importance on using this to collaborate with industry, allowing our research to have a wider societal impact.
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
Profiles
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2D Copper MOF Membranes with Precise Pores for Ionic Memory
Jyothilal, H., Gogoi, R. K., Liu, Y., Sharma, V., Goutham, S., Hutton, M., Kilbride, R. C., Toolan, D. T. W., Keerthi, A. & Radha, B., 4 Jun 2026, In: Advanced Science. 13, 31, e16193.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
3D-arched fibrous sponge for high-performance thermal insulation
Wang, F., Zhu, B., Xu, Y., Yang, L., Zeng, L., Newton, M. A. A., Gong, H., Xin, B. & Zheng, Y., 15 Mar 2026, In: Chemical Engineering Journal. 532, 174509.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile23 Downloads (Pure) -
3D electrospun carbon nanofibrous aerogel reinforced with SiO2 for enhanced thermal and electrical properties
Wang, F., Newton, M. A. A., Xu, Y., Yang, L., Niu, J., Gong, H., Zheng, Y. & Xin, B., 5 Mar 2026, In: The Journal of the Textile Institute.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile10 Downloads (Pure) -
4D imaging of microstructural evolution in alkali-activated slag cement pastes: linking pore-network topology to performance
Su, Z., Yue, Z., Paul, P. P., Liu, X., Marsh, A. T. M., Unluer, C., Provis, J. L., Burnett, T. L., Bernal, S. A. & Withers, P. J., Feb 2026, In: Cement and Concrete Composites. 166, 106382.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
A [3]Rotaxane Containing {Ti7Ga} Rings Linking CuII: Synthesis, Structure and Spectroscopic Studies
Lockyer, S., Loci, L., Whitehead, G., Vitorica-Yrezabal, I., Timco, G., Bowen, A., Mcinnes, E. & Winpenny, R., 25 Jul 2026, In: Chemistry: A European Journal . 32, 28, e02530.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access
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Defect-Tuned Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) in a Hydrogen Charged Environment: Opening New Pathways for Hydrogen Valves
Aliasghari, S. (PI), Knowles, T. (CoI), Matthews, A. (CoI) & Scenini, F. (CoI)
1/06/26 → 31/12/26
Project: Research
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National Research Facility in Lab X-ray CT (NXCT II)
Burnett, T. (PI), Ma, L. (CoI), Wadeson, N. (CoI) & Withers, P. (CoI)
1/11/25 → 31/10/30
Project: Research
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Development of an Advanced AF4 Platform for Characterizing and Optimizing Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Nanoparticle
McDonald, T. (PI)
1/09/25 → 28/02/27
Project: Research
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MATTER-Group (Materials Teaching, Education & Research)
Munoz De Escalona Wise, P. (PI), Harvey, A. (PI), Picken, C. (PI) & Southcott-Engstrom, D. (PI)
1/09/25 → …
Project: Research
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Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and reduced order modelling
Revell, A. (CoI) & Deakin, J. (Support team)
1/08/25 → …
Project: Research
Impacts
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Analysis of residual stress in aero engine fan blades
Withers, P. (Participant), Clitheroe, S. (Participant), Evans, A. (Participant), Gill, C. (Participant), King, A. (Participant), Li, W. (Participant), Turski, M. (Participant), Frankel, P. (Participant) & Preuss, M. (Participant)
Impact: Economic, Technological
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Body Scanning - 3D. s.laag (2016) - for game-audio with 3D body-scanned performer, composer and instrument
Gill, S. (Participant), Parker, C. (Participant) & Hayes, S. (Participant)
Impact
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Capacity Building through Developing Materials for Solar Cells in Africa
Lewis, D. (Participant), El Haj, T. (Collaborator), Bates, I. (Collaborator), Catlow, C. R. A. (Collaborator), Doriguzzi-Bozzo, L. (Collaborator), Flaxman, T. (Collaborator), Kolte, I. (Collaborator) & Bevan, N. (Collaborator)
Impact: Economic, Environmental, Health and wellbeing, Policy, Awareness and understanding, Attitudes and behaviours, Society and culture, Technological
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Circular Mastercards
Shaver, M. (Participant) & Huang, P. (Participant)
Impact: Economic, Environmental, Awareness and understanding, Attitudes and behaviours, Technological
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Delivering short-term climate change mitigation in shipping
Larkin, A. (Participant), Bullock, S. (Participant), Mason, J. (Participant), Ap Dafydd Tomos, B. (Participant), Fullonton, A. (Participant) & Welfle, A. (Participant)
Impact: Environmental, Policy
Activities
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PhD Thesis - (TBC) Assessment of Hydrogen Embrittlement in Weld for Repurposing Pipeline Steels
Engelberg, D. (Examiner)
Nov 2026Activity: Examination › Research
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NTPMI Workshop: Emerging Technologies for Technicians in Biomaterials 2
Nolan, R. (Co-Organiser), Saunders, R. (Co-Organiser), Gnaniah, S. (Co-Organiser), Al-Jurani, H. S. (Co-Organiser), Forster, D. (Co-Organiser) & Pollard, A. (Co-Organiser)
7 Oct 2026Activity: Participating in or organising event(s) › Organising a conference, workshop, exhibition, performance, inquiry, course etc › Teaching and Research
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Chair in Royce Forume
Aliasghari, S. (Discussant)
1 Oct 2026Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk › Research
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PhD Thesis - Experimental Investigation of the Transport of Water Vapor and Liquid in Porous Insulation Materials (Hristina Dragovic)
Engelberg, D. (Examiner)
31 Aug 2026Activity: Examination › Research
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Imperial College London
Aliasghari, S. (Secondee)
17 Aug 2026 → 21 Aug 2026Activity: External visiting positions or secondments › Visiting an external academic institution › Research
Datasets
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Establishing an Effective Design Management Process within SME's. A manual.
Bruce, M. (Creator), Cooper, R. (Creator) & Vazquez, D. (Creator), Department of Trade and Industry , 1997
Dataset
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SparseBeads Dataset
Jørgensen, J. S. (Creator), Coban, S. (Creator), Lionheart, W. (Creator), Mcdonald, S. (Creator) & Withers, P. (Creator), Zenodo, 30 Jan 2017
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.290117, https://zenodo.org/record/290117
Dataset
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Adsorption of bilirubin oxidase on a silica-coated QCM-D sensor
McNamara, T. P. (Creator), University of Manchester, 12 Apr 2016
DOI: 10.15127/1.280285, http://dx.doi.org/10.15127/1.280338 and 3 more links, http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c6an00143b, https://www.escholar.manchester.ac.uk/api/datastream?publicationPid=uk-ac-man-scw:280285&datastreamId=MvBOx_on_silica_2015-10-30.QSD, https://www.escholar.manchester.ac.uk/api/datastream?publicationPid=uk-ac-man-scw:280285&datastreamId=MvBOx_on_silica_2015-10-30.CSV (show fewer)
Dataset
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Vile vials: % loss calculator
Picken, C. (Creator), Esquivel Guzman, J. A. (Creator), Shaver, M. (Creator) & Chen, Y. (Creator), University of Manchester Figshare, 29 Sept 2026
DOI: 10.48420/30920474, https://figshare.manchester.ac.uk/articles/dataset/Vile_vials_loss_calculator/30920474
Dataset
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Brexit Tweets from the morning of it's announcement
Parker, C. (Creator), University of Manchester, 23 Jun 2017
DOI: 10.17632/x9wkrghz23.1, http://dx.doi.org/10.17632/x9wkrghz23.1
Dataset
Prizes
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1st Place Year 3 Best Poster Prize
Capone, D. (Recipient), 14 Jun 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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2021 CoSeC Impact Award Winner
Warr, R. (Recipient), 8 Jun 2021
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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2024 Social Responsibility Medal Staff Winner
Shaver, M. (Recipient), Holmes, H. (Recipient), Sharmina, M. (Recipient), Holmes, T. (Recipient), Adelekan, A. (Recipient) & Kortsen, K. (Recipient), May 2024
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Press/Media
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Lab-grown tumours could speed up cancer cures
Slay, E., Tsigkou, O., Tipple, E., Choudhury, A. & Gough, J.
3/09/26
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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Mechanical recycling contamination risks the circular plastics economy, say Manchester researchers, but quality control analytics can help.
3/08/26
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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Manchester researchers secure £1.3m to transform recycling of complex waste
Lahive, C., Cuellar Franca, R., Peeters, M., Hardacre, C. & Xu, S.
26/05/26
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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The Pedagogical Value of Co-Teaching: Case Study: Fashion, Business and Technology
7/04/26
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Blogs and social media
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Game Changers, bucket hats workshop. Old Man Utd Shirt ♻️ New Man Utd Hat | Eco Reds At Work At University Of Manchester , sustainable textiles and circular economy
20/03/26
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Blogs and social media
Student theses
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2D-Boron Nitride for Enhanced Epoxy Nanocomposites
Hui, J. (Author), Edmondson, S. (Main Supervisor) & Lindsay, R. (Co Supervisor), 16 Jan 2020Student thesis: Phd
File -
2D Materials Complex Architectures for Energy Applications
Yang, W. (Author), Haigh, S. (Main Supervisor) & Barg, S. (Co Supervisor), 20 Sept 2021Student thesis: Phd
File -
3D Printed 2D Materials using Capillary Suspensions
Ding, H. (Author), Derby, B. (Main Supervisor) & Barg, S. (Co Supervisor), 17 May 2021Student thesis: Phd
File -
3D Printing of MXene Electrode Architectures for Energy Storage Devices
Greaves, M. (Author), Bissett, M. (Main Supervisor), Barg, S. (Co Supervisor) & Kinloch, I. (Co Supervisor), 1 Dec 2022Student thesis: Phd
File -
4D Strain Quantification during Maturation of Kimmeridge Clay using Synchrotron X-Ray Tomography
Figueroa Pilz, F. (Author), Lee, P. (Main Supervisor) & Mecklenburgh, J. (Co Supervisor), 26 May 2016Student thesis: Master of Philosophy
File
Equipment
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A Core Facility for Physical and Elemental Characterisation
Strashnov, I. (Academic lead), Ragazzon-Smith, A. (Technical Specialist), Byrne, R. (Senior Technician), Jennings, M. (Technical Specialist), Davies, A. (Senior Technician), Tibble-Howlings, J. (Technical Specialist), Khan, S. (Senior Technician), Leahair, O. (Technician), Saunders, J. (Senior Technician), Vassallo, C. (Technician), Cowpe, J. (Senior Technical Specialist), Fawcett, L. (Technical Specialist) & Jones, N. (Senior Technical Specialist)
FSE ResearchFacility/equipment: Facility
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Advanced TEM holder
Lindley, M. (Senior Technical Specialist), Smith, M. (Senior Technical Specialist) & Liu, X. (Technical Specialist)
Materials EngineeringFacility/equipment: Equipment
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Aerosol Deposition
Hassan-Naji, R. (Senior Technician), Wallwork, A. (Core Facility Lead) & Hall, D. (Academic lead)
Materials - AdministrationFacility/equipment: Equipment
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Anton Parr Rheometer
Saunders, R. (Core Facility Lead) & Wallwork, A. (Core Facility Lead)
Materials - AdministrationFacility/equipment: Equipment
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Autoclaves and Loops for Environmentally Assisted Cracking Tests
Duff, J. (Core Facility Lead) & Scenini, F. (Academic lead)
FSE ResearchFacility/equipment: Equipment