Manufacturing and materials

We engineer advanced materials and next-generation manufacturing solutions to transform transport, energy, and healthcare. By harnessing AI, we pioneer sustainable systems for a resilient future.

Research and impact

Technician loading a new polymer composite sample into a mechanical testing rig

Our research is focused on understanding materials characteristics and their manufacturing with a vision to develop advanced metallic and non-metallic materials for sustainable transport, clean energy (including Fusion, Wind and Solar) as well as medical and biomedical applications.

Our experts closely collaborate across various engineering disciplines. Physical understanding of processes and materials properties together with  innovative digital and artificial intelligence tools are used for faster development of better and more sustainable materials and systems.

We are capable of characterising materials across scales from atomic structure to full size complex systems used in clean energy,  Nuclear and Aerospace applications. 

Sustainable manufacturing

Robotics in manufacturing
Credit: Simon Kadula/Unsplash

Sustainable manufacturing research hubs

The University of Sheffield is a partner in pioneering research hubs for sustainable manufacturing. We are addressing the challenges of commercialising early-stage research within key areas of manufacturing, such as semiconductors and medicines.

loading into the FCT for FASTing into billets for forging

Paving the way for more sustainable titanium production

'FAST-Forge' process developed at Royce at the University of Sheffield could revolutionise production of titanium goods. The process can take swarf and use it to re-form usable raw material pieces.
Chart on a small digital screen displaying readings from the SQUID

Developing rare-earth free materials

Alloy Development and Characterisation collaboration supports groundbreaking work for Materials Nexus to predict material properties and reduce reliance on rare earth materials

Vaccine manufacturing

A multi channel pipette dispensing a sample into tubes

UK-South East Vaccine Manufacturing Research Hub

A new vaccine manufacturing hub designed to address current and future pandemics/epidemics in South East Asia is to be led by University of Sheffield researchers.
Three researchers wearing lab coats and PPE having a discussion

Transforming pandemic response with a new vaccine-making process

Researchers at the University of Sheffield have been awarded funding for their infectious disease technology that could make life-saving vaccines more readily available to the world.

Materials science and digital manufacturing

Gray and clear woven material

Materials made smarter research centre

Bringing together a community of researchers across the materials manufacturing value chain, developing exciting advances in digital research – edge-AI, sensors and modelling – and making them accessible to industry partners.
Digital industrial network on a circuit board, connecting smart factory automation and IoT technology

Research Centre for Connected Factories

This research centre focusses on smart digital manufacturing technologies to build a resilient and sustainable world-leading manufacturing sector in the UK.
Hot Steel Moving Into Forging Machine

Transforming UK steel and manufacturing

Two major new research hubs that are set to revolutionise UK steel and digital manufacturing, have been launched with the help of researchers from the University of Sheffield.
University crest | MADE4 Manufacturing

Training the next generation of manufacturing researchers

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Machining, Assembly, and Digital Engineering for Manufacturing will train the next generation of manufacturing researchers with unique capabilities to combine predictive models and in-process data, with a systems perspective, to enable faster, more flexible, and more sustainable high value manufacturing.

Flagship facilities

View of the RDC on Portobello Street with clear view of Royce logo and branding

Royce institute

Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to help accelerate university and industry ideas through to an industry production scale in order to meet global challenges.
Factory 2020

Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC)

The University's flagship translational research centre, the AMRC, is a key part of the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult. Since its founding in 2001, the AMRC has played a pivotal role in transforming a once-industrial area into a prime location for advanced manufacturing businesses.

Our teams and facilities

Our world-leading research centres and facilities make an incredible impact

By harnessing our wealth of interdisciplinary expertise, and together with partners across the world, they are constantly furthering academic knowledge and addressing the wide range of global challenges facing society.

Research centres and groups

AMRC

CEPI

COMPASS

Gene Therapy Innovation and Manufacturing Centre 

Materials made smarter

Research centre for connected factories 

Royce at Sheffield

UK-SEA vax research hub

Access our facilities

We're home to world-class facilities that support research both within the University of Sheffield and in collaboration with a wide variety of partners.

Visit our dedicated webpages

Work with us to make a difference

Collaborations

Our partnerships are key to our success. By collaborating with our partners, we unlock their potential and build a powerful network of innovation. 

Partnerships and collaboration

Externally funded Research Fellowships

Our support for externally funded Research Fellowships is designed to establish you as a research leader in an ambitious, vibrant and supportive environment.

Visit fellowships webpage for more information

Research, Partnerships & Innovation

A dedicated team at the heart of supporting the University's delivery of research and impact across many sectors. Discover more about our people and how you can be a part of it.

Visit Research, Partnerships & Innovation website