This theme covers nanomaterials, such as nanoparticles, nanofibers and 2D materials, which can revolutionise electronics, energy storage, and medicine. We also develop advanced composites and structural materials that are lighter, stronger and more durable for use in aerospace, construction and transport.
A key focus is on functional and responsive materials – materials that can respond or adapt to their environment (for example, self-healing polymers or shape-memory alloys). By combining expertise from chemical, mechanical, civil and biomedical engineering, our work delivers smarter materials that underpin innovations ranging from sustainable energy solutions to next-gen medical devices.
This research ensures Australia remains at the cutting edge of materials science, contributing to industries and technologies worldwide.
Our research spans three strengths across multidisciplinary research
Our research focuses on developing advanced materials with engineered surfaces for applications in energy, infrastructure, environment, and health. This includes innovations such as smart coatings that enable passive cooling, corrosion resistance, water harvesting, and enhanced sensing capabilities. These technologies are designed to solve real-world problems by improving performance, durability, and sustainability across various sectors. This work directly supports our strategic vision by fostering interdisciplinary research that delivers sustainable solutions with tangible impact.
We are developing nanomaterials and smart surface technologies with practical applications in health, energy, and manufacturing. This includes designing nanostructured sensing elements and coatings for next-generation diagnostic tools, such as portable biosensors for rapid pathogen detection in food and water. These devices leverage nanomaterial-based surfaces to enhance sensitivity and stability in complex environments.
Another key area involves using additive manufacturing to create functional surfaces and nanostructured materials for energy systems, such as rare-earth permanent magnets critical to decarbonisation efforts. These projects demonstrate how precise control at the nanoscale can lead to breakthroughs in material performance, supporting both technological advancement and economic resilience.
This research aims to improve nanomaterial and surface engineering technologies with a focus on enhancing performance and sustainability in energy, health, and manufacturing systems, by developing smart coatings, nanostructured materials, and additive manufacturing techniques.
This enables more efficient diagnostics, corrosion-resistant infrastructure, and high-performance energy components, and deliver broader benefits such as safer food through rapid biosensors, more reliable medical devices, and locally manufactured components that reduce supply chain dependence and support Australian industry.
Professor Fariba Dehghani, Professor Simon Ringer, Dr Syamak Farajikhah, Dr Sina Naficy
Our research focuses on developing innovative materials and structural systems are lighter, stronger, more durable, and more sustainable. We are exploring advanced composites with tailored microstructures, smart materials that respond to environmental stimuli, and multifunctional components that integrate performance with aesthetics. A major emphasis is placed on creating resilient infrastructure and adaptive structural system capable of withstanding environmental and mechanical stresses.
These innovations have wide-ranging applications across sectors such as transport, aerospace, biomedical engineering, and civil infrastructure, contributing to more efficient, sustainable, and future-ready engineering solutions.
We are developing advanced composites with tailored microstructures and smart materials that adapt to environmental conditions, improving strength, durability, and sustainability. Using a combination of computational modelling, experimental testing, and advanced manufacturing, we translate these innovations into resilient structural systems capable of withstanding extreme stresses.
Our current projects span lightweight aerospace components, sustainable construction materials, and biomedical applications, ensuring practical impact and measurable sustainability benefits across diverse engineering sectors.
This research improves the design of composites and structural systems by developing lighter, stronger, and more adaptive materials that can withstand extreme conditions through advanced modelling and manufacturing. The outcome is safer, longer-lasting, and more sustainable solutions for everyday life – from stronger bridges and buildings that resist climate impacts, to lighter vehicles and medical implants that enhance mobility and wellbeing.
Professor Qing Li, Professor Xiaozhou Liao, Professor Yiu-Wing Mai, Professor Gianluca Ranzi, Professor Kim Rasmussen, Associate Professor Daniel Dias-da-Costa, Dr Li Chang, Dr Ali Hadigheh
Our research aims to develop “smart” materials that actively respond to their environment or external stimuli. These materials include shape-memory alloys and polymers that change shape with temperature, piezoelectric ceramics that generate electric charge under stress, and self-healing materials capable of autonomously repairing minor damage. This work aligns with our broader strategy by integrating chemical synthesis and mechanical design to create innovative, sustainable technologies with real-world impact across infrastructure, health, and energy systems.
By embedding these responsive materials into structural prototypes, such as buildings with adaptive load responses or medical implants that adjust to the body, the research contributes to our mission of advancing interdisciplinary solutions that improve quality of life and support resilient, future-ready systems.
We are designing and testing active materials that can be embedded into functional structures. This includes developing prototypes with integrated sensors and actuators for real-time monitoring, vibration control, and adaptive performance.
The team combines expertise in chemistry, materials science, and mechanical engineering to create materials that are not just passive components but active participants in their operating environments. Examples of this work include buildings that self-adjust to changing loads, batteries with built-in safety regulation, and medical devices that respond dynamically to physiological conditions.
This research aims to improve the design and integration of functional and responsive materials with a focus on creating smart systems that adapt to environmental stimuli or operational demands.
This is done through combining chemical synthesis with mechanical engineering to develop materials like shape-memory alloys, piezoelectric ceramics, and self-healing polymers.
Doing so, can enable structures and devices to monitor, respond, and even repair themselves in real time, and deliver broader benefits such as buildings that adjust to changing loads, medical implants that adapt to the body’s needs, and batteries with built-in safety features—enhancing safety, efficiency, and sustainability in everyday life.
Professor Marcela Bilek, Professor Deanna D’Alessandro, Professor Fariba Dehghani, Professor Simon Ringer, Dr Syamak Farajikhah, Dr Sepehr Talebian, Dr Dorna Esrafilzadeh, Dr Sina Naficy
