Materials Science Lancaster

An interdisciplinary centre spanning design, fabrication, characterisation and implementation of materials to tackle grand challenges in society and industry

A stylised periodic table

Welcome to Material Sciences Lancaster

Materials science is an inherently interdisciplinary field spanning physics, chemistry, and engineering which aims to innovate within the world of materials, synthesising novel materials for a range of manufacturing applications.

Contemporary society is increasingly reliant on the discovery and creation of new materials to satisfy its fundamental and commercial needs. From energy storage and quantum computing to nano and medical technologies, there is a growing need for new materials in order to advance these vital fields.

Materials Science Lancaster is a Research Centre in the Faculty of Science and Technology of over 200 academic and research staff, active in interdisciplinary research, development, commercialisation and education of new materials science. We aim to provide a platform offering complete solutions to your research and development needs.

Research Themes

We have experts in established and emerging themes in materials science. Our research activities are strategically focused on three core areas to tackle problems in industry and society.

We currently finalising our research aims and objectives, so please check back soon to find out more information about our research themes.

Different capacitors against a blue background

Power in Chaos: Disordered battery structures outperform ordered counterparts

Chemistry researchers at Lancaster and Cambridge discover that a “messy” internal structure of battery-like devices can greatly increase their energy storage compared to those using a neater structure.
A top-down view of a forest canopy

Your chance to submit ideas for the Earthshot prize

The Centre for Global Eco-Innovation (CGE) returns as an official nominator for the prestigious Earthshot Prize for the second year running.
Artist impression of Eden Project North

Eden Project North receives planning approval

Lancaster University has welcomed the latest important milestone for Eden Project North after the scheme received planning permission at a meeting of the Lancaster City Council planning committee.
Artist impression of vending machine

Research begins into how we can incentivise people to recycle on-the-go

A new research project seeks to understand how we can better incentivise people to recycle outside of the home.
Plastic bottle waste

LUMS event sparks lively debate around plastic waste

An event hosted by Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) has been hailed a success after attracting a range of international speakers from industry and academia and generating lively debates about sustainability, plastic packaging and waste. 
A petrol pump

Engineers discover way to turn organic waste into renewable biofuel additives using radiation

Engineers at Lancaster University have led research that discovers a way to generate renewable biofuel additives, using radiation that could be derived from nuclear waste.

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