Advanced Materials MSc

This module adopts a broad approach, covering the principles underpinning a wide range of materials characterisation techniques, for imaging, structural characterisation and chemical analysis.

Emphasis is given to the process, structure, property interrelationship, backed up by appropriate case studies taken from the areas of structural materials, functional materials, biomaterials and nanomaterials.

Detailed content underpinning the module includes particle / material interactions and wave / material interactions; the experimental process; crystallography; defects; reciprocal space and diffraction.

Consideration is given to instrumentation, vacuum systems, electron sources and detectors etc and described with reference to the techniques of SEM, TEM, XRD, XRF and XPS.

An overview of related surface analysis techniques and ion beam techniques is provided. Aspects of sample preparation, including FIB milling are also covered.

This module develops professional and research skills including academic/technical writing, communication, critical literature reviewing, and project planning. The year-long nature of the module enables these developing skills to be applied to assessments in concurrent modules.

The module provides an important link to the PGT individual project by providing visits to research laboratories and time for specific project-relating training. Training in areas including statistics and data analysis, design of experiments and health and safety requirements and assessment will also be undertaken to equip students with the skills for their individual projects.

This project involves students undertaking an original, independent, research study into an engineering or industrial topic appropriate to their specific MSc programme. The project should be carried out in a professional manner and may be undertaken on any topic which is relevant to the MSc programme, as agreed by the relevant Course Director and module convenor.

The project has several aims, beyond reinforcing information and methodology presented in the taught modules; the student is expected to develop skills in research, investigation, planning, evaluation and oral and written communication.

Final reporting will take the form of a written account including a literature review and an account of the student's contribution. A presentation will be made to academic staff towards the end of the project.

This module is concerned with the biomedical application of materials. It addresses three key areas: 

1. The clinical need for materials in medicine. An outline of cases where disease and trauma can be treated using materials and the tissues involved. 
2. The biological responses to materials in the body. Specifically the effect of the biological environment on materials and the effect of implantation of materials on the body. 
3. The application of materials in medicine. The material requirements, surgical procedures and expected biological performance of biomaterials. The advantages and disadvantages of using different types of materials and the importance of the design of medical implants.

Delivery

Assessment method

A broad-based module covering the chemistry, material properties and manufacturing methods relevant to polymers.

Topics include:

• Polymer chemistry and structure
• Routes to synthesis, polymerisation techniques, practical aspects of industrial production
• Viscoelasticity, time-temperature equivalence
• Rheology of polymer melts, heat transfer in melts, entanglements
• Properties of solid polymers, yield and fracture, crazing
• Manufacturing with polymers, extrusion, injection-moulding
• Design/ processing interactions for plastic products

This module introduces the design, manufacture and performance of fibre-reinforced composite materials. 

Constituent materials including fibres, resins and additives are described. Processing techniques and the relationships between process and design are highlighted. Design methodologies and computer-aided engineering techniques are demonstrated for component design.

Case studies from a variety of industries including automotive and aerospace are presented.

Method and Frequency of Class:

 Method of Assessment:

This module provides an understanding and knowledge of property requirements and key materials for a variety of transport systems (e.g., road vehicles, trains and aircrafts), with particular reference to how to design, select and manufacture of advanced materials to move towards low- and zero-emission transport.

Topics typically include:

• Overview of policy, regulation and materials requirements for sustainable low-carbon transport
• Emerging propulsion materials and systems (fuel cells, rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, superconductors) for road vehicles, trains and aircrafts
• Advanced metal and alloys (steel, titanium alloys, aluminium alloys, magnesium alloys and superalloys) for transport applications
• Advanced composites including carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) for transport applications
• Ceramic thermal barrier coatings for aircraft gas turbine engines

In this module students develop understanding of hydrogen vehicle technologies and their role in delivering more sustainable transport and energy sectors.

The module covers technologies currently under development and those likely to be used in future vehicle power-train systems, as an energy storage buffer for the grid and as an alternative gas vector to decarbonise heat.

Technologies covered include;

• electrolysers, storage, fuel cells and the impact of hydrogen on different applications.
• Hydrogen use in the transport and energy sectors
• Sustainable sources of Hydrogen
• Hydrogen storage and distribution
• Fuel cell technologies
• Hydrogen Vehicles
• Grid stability and decarbonisation of heat applications
• Economic and environmental feasibility assessment

Delivery

Assessment method

This module will cover design, processing and material aspects of additive manufacturing and 3D printing technologies, as well as the current and potential applications of the technology in a wide variety of sectors. Topics include commercial and experimental systems, material requirements, design for additive manufacturing, software and systems, as well as case studies in industry and society.

This module focuses on understanding and manipulating of material's microstructure to avoid failure. It addresses the main areas of mechanical failure using specific material system examples to illustrate how materials design is used to develop better materials for particular applications. 

The four areas are:

• Design for strength – metallic alloys, ceramics
• Design for toughness – metallic alloys (including discussion of strength/toughness balance for Al alloys)
• Design for creep resistance - metallic alloys
• Design for fatigue resistance

This module exposes you to topics relevant to engineers today that are new and/or developing rapidly and which may be associated with important segments of the UK economy. The aim of the Case Study is to develop your skills in acquiring, assimilating, synthesising and presenting technical and business information in an appropriate form based on sound research.

Energy storage is emerging as one of the most important and most exciting of modern engineering activities. This module begins with an overview of why energy storage is becoming so important and reviews the main options available. Then it addresses thermo-mechanical solutions (springs, flywheels, pumped hydro, compressed air and pumped thermal), electro-chemical solutions (batteries, supercapacitors and flow-batteries) & fossil fuel storage (gas, oil & coal).

Assessment: 100% exam

The module introduces the relevant background and fundamental concepts regarding the integration of different Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in modern manufacturing systems.

The focus is on understanding topics such as cyber-physical systems, adaptive and autonomous manufacturing, digitalisation, data analytics and emerging business models through a series of relevant case studies.

The aim of the module is to enable students to develop a sound understanding of how ICT technologies can be combined and integrated with available manufacturing technologies in the context of today’s and tomorrow’s manufacturing challenges.

This module provides students with an in-depth understanding of current trends in materials development, characterisation, assembly and manufacturing for energy and electronics sectors for a sustainable and net-zero world.

Topics typically include:

• Electronic and ionic conductors for fuel cells and electrolysers, lithium-ion batteries, supercapacitors
• Dielectric, piezoelectric, ferroelectric and semiconducting materials
• Solar cell materials for renewable energy generation
• Packaging materials and joining approaches in power electronics
• Methods to evaluate materials properties and device performance
• Manufacturing solutions: silicon-based technologies and additive manufacturing of flexible and wearable devices