Advanced Materials
The University of Glasgow has a wide-ranging portfolio of research into advanced materials, spanning:
- Biologicals – peptides, proteins, oligonucleotides.
- Soft organics – polymers, gels.
- Hybrid materials – metal-organic frameworks, polyoxometalates.
- Hard inorganics – metals, metal oxides, and other solid-state inorganics.
Research is broadly categorised into the design and synthesis of novel materials, manufacturing them in specific forms – such as nanomaterials, surfaces, films, and devices (including through automation) – and their application across a range of technologies, including porous materials, semiconductors, sensors, medicinal treatments and devices, and more.
As well as intersecting with other enabling technologies such as Photonics and Quantum Technologies, advanced materials underpin strategic research themes across the College of Science and Engineering, for example, the Materials and Condensed Matter Physics grouping (Physics and Astronomy), the Functional Molecules and Assemblies and Energy Conversion and Storage groupings (Chemistry), and the Materials and Manufacturing Research Group (Engineering).
Our advanced materials research is enabled by world-leading facilities for synthesis and characterisation in the College:
- MATCH – The Materials Characterisation Hub provides expertise and access to techniques supporting the analysis of structure, composition and properties across a wide range of materials.
- GEMS – Geoanalytical Electron Microscopy and Spectroscopy provides centimeter-to-nanometer scale imaging, chemical characterisation and detailed microstructural analysis.
- KNC – Kelvin Nanocharacterisation Centre provides imaging and analysis of materials at length-scales from the sub-millimetre to the atomic scale.
- JWNC – James Watt Nanofabrication Centre provides micro- and nano-fabrication of advanced materials, enabling their integration into functional devices and systems.
In addition to a broad portfolio of UKRI-funded research projects across the College of Science and Engineering, Glasgow’s research has also led to a vibrant spin-out ecosystem, with commercialisation of materials automation (Chemify), energy storage materials (Clyde Hydrogen), nanofabrication (Kelvin Nanotechnology), and semiconductors (Semiwise) all outcomes of our internationally-leading strategic focus on advanced materials.
Related Areas: Advanced Biosensing Technology, Energy Storage, CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage), Healthcare Technologies, Nanotechnology, Automated Synthesis, Sensors, Sustainable Materials, Water and Waste Systems, Ground Engineering, Microfluidics, Soft Matter, Complex Fluids, Actuators, Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS), Synchroton.
Supervisors working in this field
Dr Adam McKenzie
Research Fellow in Semiconductor Photonics
Dr Adetunmise Dada
Senior Lecturer of Optics and Quantum Technology
Dr Arianna Gea Pagano
Lecturer of Geotechnical Engineering
Dr Carlos Garcia Nunez
Senior Lecturer of Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
Dr Cate Anstöter
Lecturer in Physical Chemistry
Prof Dave Adams
Professor of Materials Chemistry
Dr Emma Gibson
Senior Lecturer
Dr Giorgos Georgiou
Senior Lecturer of Quantum Engineering
Dr Iain Neill
Lecturer in Geology
Dr Ian MacLaren
Reader in Physics
Dr John MacDonald
Senior Lecturer in Anthropogenic Geomaterials
Dr Jun Young Cheong
Reader in Materials for Green Energy Technologies (Systems Power & Energy)
Dr Kayla Fallon
Research Scientist
Professor Larissa Naylor
Professor of Geomorphology and Environmental Geography
Dr Morteza Amjadi Kolour
Senior Lecturer of Biomedical Engineering
Dr Rair Macêdo
Reader in Electrodynamics
Prof Robert Hadfield
Professor of Photonics
Dr Wenjuan Song
Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer) in electrically powered aircraft
Dr William Peveler
Senior Lecturer and UKRI Future Leaders Fellow