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Our pioneering and innovative research is making a real-world impact on some of the greatest challenges facing humanity. This is the future. And it will be Sheffield made.

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Making MND historyWe are internationally renowned for world-class neurodegenerative research. As well as developing effective disease-modifying therapies for motor neuron disease (MND) we’re also finding ways to improve the lives of patients living with MND.
The University of economic growthThe University of Sheffield is proud to be part of the South Yorkshire Investment Zone, which allows us to build on the success of our region’s Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District — the first of its kind in the world. Led by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, it furthers our strength in areas including aerospace, power and energy, life sciences, digital and creative and engineering across all sectors.
Bringing new sustainable aviation fuels to market fasterSustainable aviation is vital to reducing the UK's carbon emissions. We're bringing together our world-leading research and innovation with industry powerhouses, like Boeing and Virgin Atlantic, to help make air travel cleaner and achieve the world’s first net zero transatlantic flight.
Understanding the impact of air pollution on ecosystemsAir pollution is a growing threat to our health and climate. Our research found that its effect on plants could be worse than we initially thought.
A turning point for the treatment of motor neurone diseaseWe led a Phase 3 clinical trial of an investigational drug for a type of motor neurone disease. The results of the trial showed significant improvements in patients’ symptoms, with one patient in a wheelchair later able to walk without sticks.
Helping the voices of Afghan musicians be heardAs the Taliban regime came back into force, musicians in Afghanistan disappeared and fled. We’re promoting the flourishing of Afghanistan’s orchestral music internationally by connecting and supporting Afghan musicians across the globe.
The power of powderWith the UK’s first continuous powder processing plant located in a university, we help companies across various industries remain competitive. Our researchers work closely with leading brands such as AstraZeneca, Procter & Gamble, and Unilever to improve products by modifying their particles.
Supply chain analysis to keep products out of landfillThe rising cost of returned products is a burden on Britain’s retailers and the environment. We’re working with businesses to reduce their costs while keeping high-quality products out of landfill.
Cleaning train lines and reducing delaysEvery year, leaves fall onto tracks costing the rail industry millions of pounds to remove. Our waste-free system uses dry ice and is significantly more efficient than current methods. Following successful trials, the system has the potential to revolutionise how we clean the UK’s railways.
Making green industry a realityWe need to make net-zero a reality for industry. Our national scale R&D facilities bring low carbon energy technology to market quicker.
Decarbonising industry with carbon captureOur research looks at ways to reduce and even eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel power plants and heavy industry.
Decarbonising industry with hydrogenHydrogen is a clean fuel that can heat our homes, power industry and transport. We have the facilities and expertise to enable the deployment of a UK hydrogen economy.
Delivering resilient, energy efficient supply chains to achieve net zeroOur research creates future supply chains, systems and societies that are resource and energy efficient.
Lower cost power generation from wind turbinesOur research is improving the operation, reliability and performance of wind turbines which could lead to lower cost electricity generation.

Centres of excellence

The University's cross-faculty research centres harness our interdisciplinary expertise to solve the world's most pressing challenges.