Advanced materials
Innovation in advanced materials underpins all manufacturing sectors and is essential to the UK’s economic growth. Manchester is recognised as a global centre of excellence in advanced materials research and its translation from initial research to viable product.
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At the forefront of advanced materials
Manchester – the home of graphene and other disruptive developments in advanced materials – leads across a broad portfolio of lab-to-market innovation that can be applied to a range of manufacturing and commercial sectors. These include:
- lightweight alloys and composites that are in high demand in the fast-changing aerospace and automotive sectors;
- materials for energy storage to provide breakthroughs in battery and energy storage technologies for sectors such as automotive and sustainable energy generation;
- 3D-weaving of textile composites that can provide complex parts to industries ranging from aerospace and automotive to the wind generation sector;
- membrane and filtration technologies that are critical to businesses and agencies supporting food processing, water purification and wastewater treatment;
- anti-corrosion and materials for demanding environments in industries such as the oil, gas and nuclear energy sectors;
- bio-derived and biodegradable plastics that can be applied in a host of sectors and directly help companies meet the UK government’s green growth agenda;
- biomedical materials to help transform the way we treat patients and the health care industry;
- ‘super smart’ materials that feature next-generation embedded sensors, applicable in the auto industry and may more sectors.
Helping industry deliver
Through industry-facing flagship facilities such as the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre and the Manchester-based Henry Royce Institute, we’re also able to deliver:
- rapid development and scale-up of graphene and other 2D materials applications;
- measurement and characterisation of materials using X-ray tomography and other advanced imaging equipment;
- modelling and analysis, such as digital twin technologies and the ‘internet of materials’;
- access to world-leading experts and equipment for commercially sensitive research and long-term partnerships.
Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC)
The University's other world-class, the multimillion-pound centre enables industry-led development in graphene applications in partnership with academics.
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The Royce
We host the UK’s national institute for advanced materials research and innovation.
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BP
We host the International centre for advanced materials, a unique industry partnership with BP and three other world-leading universities.
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Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub
Helping businesses in Greater Manchester create sustainable solutions for plastic use.
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Making an impact
Advanced materials at Manchester is focused on delivering the innovations that industry needs to ensure it is competitive and sustainable in a fast-changing global marketplace. Our innovation ecosystem works in a way that aims to deliver to real-world needs.
Work with us and you’ll be part of the University’s vision to create an advanced materials community in Manchester – Graphene City. Made up of scientists, engineers, innovators, investors, manufacturers and industrialists, this community will build a thriving knowledge-based economy by taking research breakthrough to the finished products that you will deliver.
Ways we can help you
From a day of consultancy to major international partnerships, our research and development collaborations can be tailored to your requirements.
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Whether you’re an international blue chip, ambitious SME, or charity with an eye for innovation, our business development managers can connect you with energy experts.
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The combination of academic leadership, relevant research expertise and our ability to work closely with industrial partners makes Manchester stand out in our field.
Professor Phil Withers / Regius Professor of Materials at Manchester and Chief Scientist for the Henry Royce Institute