Advanced Materials

There are two core projects in the Advanced Materials programme. These are:

• Advanced Materials 1 (AM1) – Creating and Characterising Next Generation Advanced Materials (led by University of Birmingham)

• Advanced Materials 2 (AM2) -Innovative Uses of Advanced Materials in the Modern World (led by University of Warwick)

The research from AM1 is to investigate materials from their first nucleation of growth (i.e. creation), through to single atomic layers, thin films and ultimately to tailor the bulk properties needed for specific applications.

Both projects are a joint collaboration between Warwick and Birmingham incorporating shared facilities and academics from both institutions.

The three main areas for research in the Project, and into which the equipment required to support these activities falls, are:

1. Nano-structured materials, surfaces and coatings; (addressing the challenge of developing new, or radically altering existing, materials imparting technologically-important properties through structuring the materials on the nanoscale or through the deposition of thin layers.)
2. Multi-Functional Materials; (atomic-level design, synthesis and properties of novel multi-functional materials for magnetic, piezo-electric, multi-ferroic and bioactive applications and will add significant value to the other two proposed Advanced Materials Projects)
3. Advanced Characterisation and Analysis; (fundamental to the development of all new materials is the ability to accurately characterise and analyse properties, this element of the Project will therefore ensure the necessary advanced characterisation facilities are established to enable materials’ properties to be developed and assessed)

The objectives of the two projects are:

• to proactively engage industry in forming partnerships with the project to encourage investment in the research and development within the region and to support in the development of a vibrant cluster of advanced materials related businesses within the region (e.g. through inward investment, development of start-ups, licensing opportunities etc);
• to develop new materials and technologies in the advanced materials arena and promote these technology advances to regional, national and international companies to develop and commercialise;
• to establish and equip world-class laboratories for facilitating the development of international-quality research into the nano-scale development and characterisation of new advanced materials or radically altering the properties of existing materials;
• to create an environment where the complementarity in fundamental and applied materials science research within the Universities of Warwick and Birmingham can be encouraged and grown;
• to deliver world-leading materials science research through collaborative programmes of research between the Universities of Birmingham and Warwick and third parties (including research and technology organisations and industry);
• to establish a critical mass of research activity enabling the West Midlands to compete at national and international levels for R&D funding and investment;
• to deliver a supply of high-quality, highly skilled material scientists and technology graduates to the region