Established in 1989, the Centre for Advanced Materials Technology aims to conduct high-quality fundamental research in materials science and technology and to promote collaboration with industry in the design, engineering, development and manufacturing technology of advanced materials.
We proudly have an international reputation for high-quality research, equipped with exceptional facilities for material processing, characterisation, computer simulation, and mechanical testing.
We conduct both fundamental studies, aimed at new discoveries, and applied research, focusing on the direct solutions to industrial problems.
This initiative features new research activities to develop fibre-polymer functionally graded materials and hydroxyapatite biomimetic coatings, ceramic matrix nanocomposites and metal-ceramic functionally graded materials for the Aerospace industry and Biomaterials industry.
This initiative features new research activities to develop fibre-polymer functionally graded materials and hydroxyapatite biomimetic coatings, ceramic matrix nanocomposites and metal-ceramic functionally graded materials for the Aerospace industry and Biomaterials industry.
This field features a new class of engineering material consisting of nano-meter scale particles or fillers. Our research focuses on processing and characterisation of the structure-property relationship of several typical polymer-based, metal-based and ceramic-based nano-composites to understand the deformation and failure mechanisms.
With the rapid development in applications of high-density information storage devices, micro-electro-mechanical systems, biomedical devices and wireless and fibre optic communication systems, the importance of nanomechanics and nanotribology is paramount. Our current research activities focus on the mechanical analysis of nanomaterials including carbon nanotubes, mechanisms nanowear and the effect of nano-cracks and shear bands.
We build 'smart' structures using active materials such as shape memory alloys/polymers, piezoelectric ceramics and polymers, and magnetostrictive composites. Our research includes development and characterisation of novel active materials with improved performance, development of active structures with surface mounted/embedded sensors/actuators for vibration and damping control and on-line health monitoring or non-destructive evaluation.
Here we cover interface fracture of fibre/matrix system, damage of polymer alloys and blends, microstructure-toughness relationships of polymers, constitutive modelling, micro-damage and micro-crack propagation, failure mechanisms of piezoelectric materials, fatigue, effects of crack tip constraint and mismatch of adhesive joints geometry.
Our focus here includes embedded intelligence and multi-functionality, enabled by active-sensor network and micro-/nano-technology for structural self-diagnosis and assessment, self-healing with simultaneously improved damage resistance and tolerance.
