Under the umbrella of functional surface engineering & design, we bring together surface topology, materials and measurement to understand and optimize their functionality within their intended environment. We achieve this for a wide range of products and applications to enable the production of new materials and surfaces.
Why?
- Surfaces are, by their very nature, functional and this functionality can be wide ranging.
- The coupling of material properties, environment and surface finish or topology provides a system which can be designed/optimised.
- Understanding the metrology behind the topology determines and enables surface processing.
How?
- The interplay between materials,
topology & metrology govern developments for a wide a range of functionalities, underpins our research and feeds our education platform- By working closely with our research partners, we are able to realise product advances through process step changes
- We can predict product performance, but we need a greater capability in production and testing
- Utilising emerging technologies, such as laser surface processing/additive manufacturing, allows a wide range of products/surfaces to be achieved
- Embedding the knowledge created through our research in enhanced modelling techniques for integration in Industrial processes (Industry 4.0/Digital Twins)
- Permitting the development of new predictive tools
Mission Statement
To become a global hub for research, development and learning in the prediction and production of surfaces for societal betterment.
Examples of recent projects
- Collaborative robotics
Coupling polymeric materials and biomimetic designs has enabled more accurate placement of small, sensitive parts during manufacturing.
- Surfaces for Touch Perception
Advanced contact models and in-house designed testing facilities have been realized to tailor polymer products which can influence a user’s interaction with – and perception of – a product.
- Anti-fouling
Laser surface texturing has been used to design a range of anti-bacterial and bactericidal surfaces in medical grade Cobalt Chrome for the first time:
- Software Development
A surface visualization tool has been designed for the design of surfaces and their influence on paint appearance for the automotive industry.
