Our engineering research and expertise
Join our leading researchers as they help shape our world at the forefront of Industry 4.0.
Why Manchester Met?
We actively work with industry and wider society to ensure our work delivers solutions to real-world problems. We’re 6th in the UK for the impact of our research in Engineering and 100% of our research impact is world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021).
As a dual-intensive institution, our high-quality research informs the courses we teach. For you, this means learning at the cutting edge of engineering, being taught by industry trailblazers. For us, it means making an impact far beyond the classroom.
As a masters student, you’ll work with our team of expert academics and take part in research projects that matter. You’ll conduct research in our specialist laboratories, occasionally in partnership with our industry connections to boost your employability prospects further.
What research could I be involved in?
Here’s a sample of the research projects our current postgraduate students are involved in.
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MSc Engineering Project Management
- Decarbonising the construction sector through recycling waste materials into concrete
- Intelligent diagnosis of skin lesions using deep learning methods
- Harnessing vortex-induced vibration for sustainable energy harvesting
- Fluid-structure interaction modelling and simulation for enhanced accuracy of Coriolis mass flow meters
- An exploration into the prospects of zero-carbon fuels for heavy-duty power and propulsion applications using rapid evidence assessment
- An exploration into public attitudes towards electric vehicle adoption using rapid evidence assessment
- Project justification for HS2
- Agile project management and suitability for engineering projects
- Mental health and engineering project managers
- Digital transformation and engineering project management
- Business and manufacturing operations improvement using lean/six-sigma techniques for Industry 4.0
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MSc Engineering Smart Systems
- Improving the security of industrial unmanned aerial vehicles
- Saving the rubber: measuring and detecting friction in table tennis racket-ball interaction.
- Destruction of coronavirus from surfaces and air particles through RF/microwave wireless power transmission
- The theremin: design of a contactless musical instrument.
- Enhancing the performance of free space optical communications using AI techniques for space applications
- Metamaterial additive manufacturing and mechanical testing
- Design and 3D printing of components to retrofit an existing engine test bench to run on hydrogen fuel
- Optimising thermal management for power equipment in renewable energy integration within the power system
- Developing an ultrasonic welding end of arm tool for cobot robotic use
- Conducting yarns-based textile heater for smart germicidal face mask to protect against airborne virus
- Environmental monitoring for best practice in material use and storage in additive manufacturing
- Tactile sensing for robotics mimicking mammalian whiskers
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MSc Digital Design and Manufacturing
- Effect of 3D printing parameters and design for manufacture on mechanical properties
- An investigation into warping deformation of desktop 3D printed artefacts
- Investigating the influence of printing parameters on the mechanical strength of 3D printed parts: A digital image correlation approach.
- Metamaterial generative design and simulation
- Application of additively manufactured metamaterials to sports helmets and prosthesis socket liners
- Developing a fabric handling classification system using a variety of cobot grippers
- Royal Society International Exchange Scheme: Evaluation of the performance of a novel stent vis additive manufacturing.
- Hemodynamic performance evaluation of a novel stent fabricated by additive manufacturing
- Part-to-part variation within a build chamber on Selective Leaser Sintering
- 3D Printing Selective Laser Sintering process and material analysis: What happens to the particles when they are exposed to the laser?
I involve my students in the learning process and encourage them to debate and to learn from one another. The advantage of research informed teaching is that not only will students have access to what academics are doing, but also what our partners around the world are engaging in as well.
I involve my students in the learning process and encourage them to debate and to learn from one another. The advantage of research informed teaching is that not only will students have access to what academics are doing, but also what our partners around the world are engaging in as well.
Research with impact
We’re home to a range of research expertise, combining a wealth of resources with a collaborative environment. This has allowed us to create the perfect setting for discovery and innovation —and the results speak for themselves. For example, we currently rank second in the UK for Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Guardian 2024).
Our research brings together a multidisciplinary group of researchers with expertise in:
- nanotechnology
- sensors
- functional materials
- catalysis
- electrochemistry
- biosensors
- microbiology at interfaces
- wearable technologies
- advanced functional materials
- additive manufacturing (2D and 3D printing).
We’re currently working on several exciting projects. From rehabilitation robots that help children with cerebral palsy to reshaping smart grids to better integrate renewable energy sources. Our researchers are even producing self-cleaning surfaces through our improved photocatalytic coatings.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
We work with our industry partners to solve practical problems.
Discover our Aquacheck partnership
Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre
We're changing the face of next-generation energy.
Find out about our research
Meet the team
Our academic staff have not only had years of experience in research, but share a commitment to helping you on your journey as well. Get to know some of our course leaders and discover their research expertise.
Dr Aris Alexoulis
I began my career conducting research in rehabilitation robotics and since then have expanded my interest in the field of industrial automation. Alongside my work as the course leader for MSc Engineering Smart Systems, I lead our department’s partnership with Siemens. I’m responsible for the development of academic resources and industrial case studies around Industry 4.0 and Siemens’s PLM suite of software.
I regularly work with SMEs to support them in their digitalisation journey and have supervised several live projects. I sit on the project review panel for Made Smarter North West, investing in companies adopting digital technologies. My current research interests include robotics, Industry 4.0 and industrial automation and digitalisation.
Peter Gough
I’ve worked in Higher Education for over 20 years. My experience is varied and diverse; from working in dental healthcare, through app and web development and more recently in additive manufacturing.
My interests are in the realm of digital innovation and the technology and services that are driving the fourth industrial revolution. I work to build in factors that enhance my students’ soft skills within my teaching to promote employability, teamwork and collaboration. I intentionally design assessments to allow students to apply their own interests and career aspirations whilst retaining the ‘freedom to fail’ — meaning to allow an iterative and reflective approach.
Edmund Keefe
I’m a Senior Lecturer in Industrial Digitalisation, specialising in Computer Aided Design and Additive Manufacturing. I work collaboratively with artists, chemists, engineers and more to deliver practical solutions to design and manufacturing challenges. I work with our industry partners on a variety of exciting projects, ranging from electronic engineering to the creative use of scanning technology. This includes:
- Autodesk
- Siemens
- Markforged
- Formlabs
- Fabricon
- Darwen Terracotta
Dr Eric Lou
I joined Manchester Met as a Reader in Project Management, and currently serve as the Head of International for the Faculty of Science and Engineering. I spent a decade in construction, higher education, information technology and environmental industries; and completed over £60 million in building refurbishment and new build projects before joining academia.
My research interest encompasses the trichotomy of people-process-technology. I focus my interests on:
- project management
- sustainability
- environmental planning
- building information modeling
- IT management within the built environment industry
My current research takes me into the remit of 3D scanning, spectral imaging and heritage management.
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