MSc Advanced Materials Engineering

This module aims to develop and build upon a fundamental knowledge of materials science that underpins the design of engineering systems. The microscopic and atomic structure of different classes of materials are studied in relation to their macroscopic behaviour and material properties. This class will review these relationships and impart the learner with an appreciation of how these structures determine a material’s applications and the design of manufacturing processes.

This module aims to develop an understanding of the degradation processes that are responsible for eventual inservice destruction of metals and alloys. The module will focus on the fundamental mechanisms and prevention strategies related to corrosion, erosion and corrosive wear.

The promise claimed for new materials in engineering is most likely to be realised through the use of composites and ceramics. This class aims to give a basic understanding of modern composite materials and an appreciation of predictive modelling and design implications when composites are applied to engineering structures. The main composite manufacturing processes will be outlined.

Students will develop an understanding of applied industrial metallurgy. Topics include material selection, properties of metals and alloys, characterisation methods, welding engineering, heat treatment and degradation processes.

This module aims to cover a range of advanced materials manufacturing techniques that are either widely used or emerging in industry. Techniques include Additive Layer Manufacturing, Electron Beam Welding, Superplastic Forming and advanced machining approaches. In addition, non-destructive evaluation techniques to ensure high levels of manufacturing integrity will be described. Sustainability, energy use and economic aspects will be explored through Life Cycle Analysis methodologies.

This module provides a structured introduction to the Design Management process, issues and tools. Topics include Integrated Product Development, and the different approaches and aspects to design development including concurrent engineering, team engineering, product management, design management, distributed design, and decision support. Other topics cover the design activity, team and management organisational structures, key issues concerning design complexity, and design performance and innovation.

This module provides students with skills relating to the use of engineering practices in Project Management with particular respect to the effective and efficient use of resources. The syllabus includes an introduction to project management techniques and project control, project networks including critical path analysis, procedural and graphical presentation techniques, an introduction to Contract Law and project budgetary control.

Under Health and Safety legislation, and under the wider European Post-Seveso Directives, it is mandatory for many industries to carry out risk assessments with the aim of showing that risk is As Low As Reasonably Practicable. This module introduces the fundamental techniques of risk analysis and risk-informed decision making. Students will learn the general principles of methods and their place in risk management, as well as the chance to develop skills in applying these methods to variety of engineering examples.

This module introduces elements of financial engineering that are applied to reduce risk of business insolvency and enhance the financial robustness of business enterprises. Questions addressed include: What is the best strategy for survival and growth?; What are the options for financing investment projects both in the private and public sectors of an economy?; How would the financial engineer propose to combine loan capital and equity capital to raise funds for an investment initiative; How would he/she advise his/her company/organization to build its investment portfolio to ensure financial security in volatile market conditions?

This module provides students with an understanding of the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development. The social, environmental, and economic impact of development strategies will be identified and the mitigation of negative impacts discussed. Topics covered include shifting world views with respect to technology and ecology, green politics, climate change, sustainable development and limits to growth.

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) relates to the process of identifying, evaluating, and mitigating the biophysical, social, economic, cultural and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made. This class, run by the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering but open to all MSc and MEng students across the University, introduces the methods used to predict environmental impacts, and evaluates how these may be used to integrate environmental factors into decisions.

The class draws principally on the UK planning context of environmental impact assessment of individual projects (project EIA), but also takes account of EIA experience in other countries and international organisations. Participants evaluate the quality of Environmental Statements (or EIA Reports) and of the EIA process using the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) methodology.

The class discusses how EIA can be used a pro-active design tool for projects and how it can contribute to the enhancement of environmental, social and health issues. Students are also introduced to key principles of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and biodiversity net gain (BNG). Class has the contribution of key practitioners in the field and includes different case studies, such as proposed onshore and offshore windfarms.

This class aims to:

• provide fundamental information on the properties of synthetic biomaterials, and how these are evaluated experimentally and from the literature
• outline how material properties are influenced by methods of processing
• explore with the aid of appropriate examples what is meant by biocompatibility; provide an overview of the host responses to and interactions with biomaterials, and how these interactions are assessed and influenced by surface properties
• introduce the principles of toxicology, identify the major toxic interactions with foreign chemicals and the protective mechanisms which enable us to survive most toxic insults. Assessment of  the safety of materials according to the International Standards will be discussed

The overall aim of the class is to provide you with strong skills in the structural behaviour, analysis and design of civil engineering structures.

You’ll gain an understanding of the fundamental principles of structural stability and become familiar with common types of bifurcation and buckling phenomena. This will allow you to formulate methods capable of dealing with geometrically non-linear structural behaviour.

You’ll also gain knowledge of structural behaviour structural systems commonly adapted by the construction industry including prestressed concrete and concrete-steel composite members. 

Necessary requirement for this class

Understanding of fundamentals of structural mechanics; fundamentals of reinforced concrete design (reinforced concrete technology, serviceability and ultimate limit state analysis.

Lecturer: Dr Lue
Assessment: exam (70%) and coursework (30%)

This module aims to enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of surface science, the relationship between a material’s properties and applications, and its underlying molecular structure and interactions. The module will teach the following:

• surfaces and interfaces (adsorption, wetting, surface tension)
• properties of gas-liquid and liquid-liquid interfaces (surfactants, films, emulsions and membranes)
• solid surfaces: gas-solid and liquid-solid interfaces (physical and chemical adsorption, thermodynamics of surfaces, heterogeneous catalysis, nanoparticles)
• experimental techniques for studying solid surfaces and processes at interfaces
• introduction to statistical mechanics (microstates, ensembles, partition function)
• applications of statistical mechanics (ideal gas, equations of state, adsorption, blackbody radiation)
• electronic properties of materials (band theory, metals, semiconductors)
• applications in electronics: diodes and photovoltaic cells
• surface reactions and catalysis (photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, quantum dots)

Lecturer: Dr Lue
Assessment: exam (70%) and coursework (30%)

This module aims to enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of surface science, the relationship between a material’s properties and applications, and its underlying molecular structure and interactions. The module will teach the following:

• surfaces and interfaces (adsorption, wetting, surface tension)
• properties of gas-liquid and liquid-liquid interfaces (surfactants, films, emulsions and membranes)
• solid surfaces: gas-solid and liquid-solid interfaces (physical and chemical adsorption, thermodynamics of surfaces, heterogeneous catalysis, nanoparticles)
• experimental techniques for studying solid surfaces and processes at interfaces
• introduction to statistical mechanics (microstates, ensembles, partition function)
• applications of statistical mechanics (ideal gas, equations of state, adsorption, blackbody radiation)
• electronic properties of materials (band theory, metals, semiconductors)
• applications in electronics: diodes and photovoltaic cells
• surface reactions and catalysis (photocatalysis, electrocatalysis, quantum dots)

This module aims for the student to acquire: (1) knowledge of the fundamentals of micro- and nano-products and of the manufacturing of such products (MEMS, micro-fluidic devices, micro-medical devices, micro-motors, microrobots, MOEMS, etc.), size-effects, material/interface behaviour at the micro-/nano-scale, challenges to manufacturing at low length-scales, etc.; (2) knowledge of micro-/nano-materials processing methods, techniques, industrially-viable processes, etc. and (3) experience and skills in the design/selection of micro- /nano-manufacturing processes, tools and equipment for real-world products.

It covers material behaviour, challenges, processes (subtractive, additive, deformation, replication, joining, hybrid processes including mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrochemical, electrical methods) and tools, machines and manufacturing systems.

At the end of this module students will be able to:

• Explain key techniques used in the processes for the manufacture of micro-products
• Correctly select technologies for specified products and materials
• Demonstrate calculations of forming/cutting forces involved and analysis of stresses/temperatures involved in tools/machine-frames/workpiece as appropriate
• Deliver a machine design (either for micro-machining or micro-forming) with detailed analysis and module designs, including a cost analysis on the machine designed.

Assessment and feedback is in the form of coursework (40%) and a project (60%), including a group project presentation and project report and individual assignment.

This module aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding of the underlying principles of the metal forming theory and practice as applied to modern metal forming machines, tools and processes.

The module covers concepts and definitions including stress, yield condition, strain, flow laws, plastic work, evolution equations, meso and micro-scale approaches; limiting phenomena (shape accuracy, plastic flow localisation, fracture, tool strength, friction, microstructure); metal forming machines and tooling; bulk metal forming; sheet metal forming and incremental forming.

At the end of this module students will be able to:

• Describe stress/strain relationship for metals undergoing plastic deformation
• Explain the mechanism of plastic deformation at the meso and micro scale
• Explain the effect of different factors on the net-shape forming capability
• Discuss metal forming problems resulting from material and tool interaction
• Explain limitations of the metal forming technology due to a tool/machine system
• Discuss major elements and challenges for a forging system
• Explain the idea and give examples of incremental metal forming operations

Assessment and feedback is in the form of an exam (80%) and coursework (20%)

This module aims to provide students with an introduction to the fundamentals of advanced materials, characterisation and advanced surface engineering. The module also covers advanced machining processes and technologies and the principles and practices of rapid prototyping and manufacturing.

The module covers:

• severe plastic deformation, materials properties and characterisation
• advances in Machining including the machining of hard materials, high-speed machining, precision grinding technology, ultra-precision diamond turning and grinding technology
• principles and practice of Layered Manufacturing
• advanced Surface Engineering including physical-chemical functionalisation, electro-deposition, CVD, PVD, tools/mould treatment, nano- and multi-layered coating.

At the end of this module students will be able to:

• describe processes of materials selection, characterisation, ultra-precision machining, rapid prototyping and advanced surface engineering
• demonstrate know-how on key processing parameters and show numerical and analytical skills relating to the materials and process selections and parameter setting
• identify key process parameters/variables in relation to process control and product quality
• specify machines or manufacturing systems for the manufacture/creation of specified products/models or to propose design solutions for a manufacturing machine/system to address the manufacturing requirements identified

Assessment and feedback is in the form of four pieces of coursework (25% each).