Advanced Materials Science and Engineering

Postgraduate Open Event

Join us online for our Postgraduate Open Event - Wednesday 26 October to find out more about our taught programmes and discover why you should study your Masters with us.

The module is an intensive research module that spans all three MSc semesters. It draws together the knowledge and skills from the taught component to address a research challenge of significant scope to be undertaken independently, under supervision. It focuses on the technical, project management and communication skills needed to successfully execute academic- and/or industry-oriented research. The project entails to apply research methods to solve original problems of fundamental or applied nature.

This module will explore the role of advanced nanocomposites in modern engineering. It will cover the micromechanics of these materials with a particular focus on particulate micromechanics and the role of the filler shape, size and morphology. A widerange of nanomaterials will be introduced, and methods for manufacturing these nanocomposites will be explored. Nanocomposites have a huge range of applications, and this module will explore advanced nanocomposites for (i) mechanical and structural applications; (ii) electrical applications; (iii) thermal applications; (iv) barrier membrane applications.

This module will define and describe nanostructures and nanomaterials. it will include how they are manufactured, appropriate characterisation technologies and a description of their application in a range of fields. In particular the application and challenges in the use of nanotechnology in medicine will be considered, including the regulatory issues to be considered, the use of nanomaterials for drug delivery and the development of lab in a chip technologies.

Recycling - possibilities of recycling schemes for different types of materials like glasses, plastics and metals will be discussed. Environmental politics - such as the EU end of life vehicle directive will be discussed as well as other political drivers for creating a sustainable society. Ecodesign - the benefits of designing for recycling using a cradle to grave design methodology. Examining in detail designs for single material or reduced number of materials systems that can be easily disassembled. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) - Detail of how the life cycle analysis is undertaken, including instruction in the use of appropriate life cycle analysis software.

This module will give students a thorough understanding and knowledge of state-of-the-art technologies for macromolecular engineering. It will focus on key areas for industrial applications and help students draw structure-property relationships and link these to synthetic approaches. Specifically, macromolecular engineering in the fields of high performance materials, tissue engineering and biotechnologies, sensors, materials for energy production and in the micro-electronics area will be discussed and applied. The module will cover advanced polymer synthesis techniques and their application to the design of conjugated polymers, the application of these concepts to macromolecular engineering in microfabrication and 3D printing and the design of biomaterials and hydrogels, and their biofunctionalisation. The module will present state-of-the-art platforms for solid phase synthesis of peptides, oligonucleotides, and recombinant protein production.

Review to physical and structural origin of the mechanical, electrical and optical properties of ceramics. Relate this knowledge to their applications and commercial importance. Review the processing and characterisation of ceramics. (Particular reference will be made to the following structural ceramics: alumina; silicon nitride; zirconia; and silicon carbide.) Review of functional ceramics: varistors; ferroelectrics; piezoelectrics; pyroelectrics; optoelectronics; and ferrites. Throughout the module the students will develop their knowledge so that they can relate structure, properties and applications.

Introducing material selection concepts including processing constraints in design. An appreciation of the interaction of processing and material related cost considerations and the need to adopt a simultaneous engineering approach. The use of design guides such as Ashby diagrams is a key skill developed in the module.

This module will give students a thorough understanding of the importance of energy storage in the field of Sustainable Energy Engineering and provide them with an advanced understanding of key processes in the area of electrochemical storage such as batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells etc. The module will also address fundamental aspects of electrochemistry associated with energy storage devices and introduce the concepts of hydrogen economy, storage and utilisation. It will also cover mechanical and thermal energy storage technologies and discuss aspects related to system integration, with a particular focus on their use for the integration of renewable energy into low-carbon power systems. The module will be delivered through a series of lectures, as well as sessions focused on laboratory practicals and will feature guest lecture from industrial practitioners.

The module aims to equip students with an appreciation of the global energy scene and the impacts of energy production and consumption on the environment. The module provide the students with an understanding of the origin and nature of various renewable/sustainable energy resources, the assessment of their ability to meet our future energy demands, and the design of renewable energy systems.

Students will gain knowledge on the mechanical properties and constitutive models of engineering materials along with the associated computing techniques. Topics covered will involve advanced-level content related to elasticity (including anisotropy), viscoelasticity (using a Voigt model or Prony Series), plasticity (using Druker-Prager) and fracture mechanics (J-Intergral) of a wide range of engineering materials (including polymers, composites, metals & ceramics). Students will interpret experimental data (such as stress-strain curves) to determine the correct constitutive model for the observed mechanical properties of the materials. The module will focus on the link between material properties and structure and will provide underpinning knowledge to allow successful modelling using finite element analysis package of a wide range of engineering applications.

This is advanced module in computational modelling focusing on computational solids. Both finite element method and boundary element method are covered together with applications to medical, aero and mechanical engineering. Hands on experience in solving engineering problems using commercial packages is an important part of the module.

The physics of fracture and fracture mechanics. Application of fracture mechanics to engineering applications. Influence of temperature on the mechanical properties of materials. High temperature deformation by dislocation movement and by diffusion. Practical aspects of creep deformation. Failure of materials under cyclic loading. Theories of fatigue. Practical aspects of fatigue in engineering materials.

This module provides a development of both fundamental and technological studies of shaping, fabrication, and product-evaluation processes. It applies phase transformation, microstructure, stress analysis, diffusion, plastic deformation and/or rheology to the manufacture of different products. Examples of current practices in the automobile, aerospace and bio-medical industries are illustrated, where appropriate, to enhance students' technological awareness. In more detail, the syllabus will cover the following topics: Casting: nucleation, crystal growth, solidification, segregation, ingot microstructure, casting defects, casting processes, temperature and recrystallization, strain rate. Forming: element of plasticity and deformation mechanics, selected methods of analysis of simple forming processes, element of transport properties and viscous flow, extrusion, injection moulding. Joining and Welding: fusion welding, solid-state welding, effect of welding on materials microstructure, brazing and soldering. Additive manufacturing methods: Rapid Prototyping. Inspection and testing, non-destructive methods: ultrasonic inspection, magnetic inspection, acoustic emission monitoring.

This module will introduce several dimensions of ethical design, considering the system life cycle including the impact of end-of-life. Elements incorporating ethics into effective system design using a modern set of theoretical frameworks including circular economy, planetary boundaries and environmental life cycle assessment will be considered. The consequential impact of large scale technology shifts to guard against replacing one problem for another will be covered. The role of meeting and contributing to environmental regulation and policy will be explored and an 'ethical cost benefit analysis' will be introduced that internalises otherwise external environmental costs. Decision making under a complex array of economic and environmental objectives will be considered via multi-criteria decision analysis.

This module will give students a thorough understanding of the importance of energy storage in the field of Sustainable Energy Engineering and provide them with an advanced understanding of key processes in the area of electrochemical storage such as batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells etc. The module will also address fundamental aspects of electrochemistry associated with energy storage devices and introduce the concepts of hydrogen economy, storage and utilisation. It will also cover mechanical and thermal energy storage technologies and discuss aspects related to system integration, with a particular focus on their use for the integration of renewable energy into low-carbon power systems. The module will be delivered through a series of lectures, as well as sessions focused on laboratory practicals and will feature guest lecture from industrial practitioners.