Overview
Organisation profile
Research group leads: Professor John Summerscales (composites), Dr Shakil Awan (sensors), Dr Alexander Besinis (medical), Dr Maozhou Meng (surface and coatings), and Dr Boksun Kim (civil and structural engineering).
The MAterials and STructures (MAST) research group covers civil, electrical and electronic, and mechanical engineering.
The research foci are the defence, marine, medical and healthcare, and nuclear sectors, especially engineering in extreme environments. The group specialises in materials, mechanisms, sensors and structures.
Core activity includes fibre-reinforced composites, nanotechnologies, sensors, and surfaces and coatings, for use in the transport and energy sectors, the environment and healthcare. Sustainability is at the heart of the research with Life Cycle Assessment used to validate environmental credentials.
Research Areas
- Composites
- Civil engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Medical engineering
- Marine engineering
- Structural engineering
UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Our work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 14 Life Below Water -
SDG 15 Life on Land -
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Profiles
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Dr Shakil Awan
- School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics - Associate Professor in Electronics and Nanotechnology
- MAterials and STructures (MAST) Research Group
Person: Academic (Research)
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Dr Alexander Besinis
- School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics - Associate Professor in Mechanical and Medical Engineering
- MAterials and STructures (MAST) Research Group
Person: Academic (Research)
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Flexible Responsive Systems in Wave Energy
Greaves, D. (PI - Principal Investigator), Ransley, E. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Hann, M. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Cheng, S. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Meng, M. (CoI - Co-Investigator) & Zheng, S. (CoI - Co-Investigator)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
12/08/21 → 11/01/25
Project: Research
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Great Western Supercluster of Hydrogen Impact for Future Technologies (GW-SHIFT)
Greaves, D. (PI - Principal Investigator) & Lee, Y. C. (CoI - Co-Investigator)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
1/01/24 → 31/01/28
Project: Research
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Interreg: EUROSWAC - Research and impact demonstrator: sustainable energy storage/heat transfer and impact of warm water reject
Dai, M. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Lee, Y. C. (PI - Principal Investigator), Michele, S. (CoI - Co-Investigator), Roberts, F. (CoI - Co-Investigator) & Carter, N. (CoI - Co-Investigator)
1/10/21 → 31/03/23
Project: Research
Research output
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Analytical and Cross-Sectional Clinical Validity of a Smartphone-Based U-Turn Test in Multiple Sclerosis
Plonka, M., Klimas, R., Stanev, D., Angelini, L., Naplorkowski, N., Gonzalez Chan, G., Bunn, L., Glazier, P., Hosking, R., Freeman, J., Hobart, J., Zanon, M., Marsden, J., Craveiro, L. & Rinderknecht, M. D., 1 Jun 2026, In: Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. 110, 107171.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Downloads (Pure) -
Biocompatibility of silver and hydroxyapatite antimicrobial nanocoatings on titanium alloy dental implants with human gingival fibroblasts
Morgan, S., Handy, R. D., Salih, V. M., Salaie, R. N., Tredwin, C. J. & Besinis, A., Jul 2026, In: Dental Materials. 42, 7, p. 1295-1308 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Downloads (Pure) -
Enhancement of recycled cementitious materials by accelerated carbonation
Gomes, H., 19 Mar 2026, Proceedings of the 28th Young Researchers Conference.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference proceedings published in a book › peer-review
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Degradation of flax PLA biocomposites during and after manufacture
Summerscales, J. (Supervisor)
1 Sept 2015 → 31 Jul 2018Activity: Examination and supervision › Supervision › External
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Beyond the Beach: Uncovering the Global Sand Crisis
Sohn, M. (Speaker), Kim, B. (Speaker) & Moizer, J. (Speaker)
2024Activity: Contribution to engagement › Public and community engagement
Student theses
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A General Tool To Assist With On Orbit Manufacturing
Arundal, R. (Author), Summerscales, J. (Director of Studies (First Supervisor)), McCulloch, M. (Other Supervisor) & Graham-Jones, J. (Other Supervisor), 2026Student thesis: PhD
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Analysis And Design Of Castellated Beams
Elaiwi, S. S. (Author), Li, L.-Y. (Director of Studies (First Supervisor)) & Kim, B. (Other Supervisor), 2019Student thesis: PhD
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An analysis of the Iranian post-earthquake management and structural assessment system
Razaghi-Kashani, N. (Author), Kim, B. (Director of Studies (First Supervisor)) & Fox, A. (Other Supervisor), 2023Student thesis: PhD
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