Centre for Glass Research
Glass science and technology has long been an important element in the University's research profile, and the Centre for Glass Research provides a national and international focus for this work.
Key staff
- Emeritus Professor John M Parker (Centre Director)
- Professor Russell J Hand (Centre Director)
- Dr Clare Thorpe
Research interests
- Structural characterisation
- Optical properties including colour and applications such as optical fibres
- Vitrification
- Crystallisation
- Glass ceramics
- Glass composite materials
- Nuclear waste glasses
- Coatings
- Strength
- Durability
- Chemical durability
Glass making
We can make a wide variety of glass types. Within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering are facilities for making glasses for experimentation and research, with furnaces that can melt glasses up to a temperature of 1600°C, with melt sizes ranging from 50g to 500g.
Dr. Lisa Hollands (l.hollands@sheffield.ac.uk) leads the glass making activities for the department.
Links and interactions
While primarily based in the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering, the Centre has active links to Archaeology (Professor Caroline Jackson) and Clinical Dentistry (Professor Paul Hatton and Dr Cheryl Miller).
Numerous interactions with other universities and research organisations both within and outside the UK also exist.
Working with industry
The centre attracts a steady stream of enquiries, ranging from legal liability cases to requests for information from the public concerning specific aspects of glass behaviour. Many firms also contact us concerning the manufacture of specimens or property design.
We are keen to build on our existing strengths in glassy materials and developing further links to outside organisations.
Contact the Centre
For more information about the Centre for Glass Research, Professor Russell Hand (r.hand@sheffield.ac.uk).