The Research Theme undertakes multi-disciplinary research into the response of advanced engineering and bio-materials to various types of external loading and environmental conditions, using a combination of analytical, numerical and experimental techniques. It is also active in all areas of optics and laser technology, employing innovative techniques, developments and equipment: from high-power laser applications, manufacture of components, through to high-precision non-contact measurement of dynamic movements.

Among the research directions of this Theme are:

• Mechanics of deformation, damage and fracture, characterisation of microstructure and analysis of mechanical properties and performance of alloys, metals, polymers, composites and nanocomposites, ceramics and ultra-hard materials, nonwoven fabrics, biological and biomedical materials.
• Analysis and simulations of advanced and hybrid manufacturing processes, including high-power lasers, ultrasonics, electro-machining, additive and subtractive manufacturing, cold forming.
• Deformation, damage and fracture in extreme conditions: high temperatures and strain-rates.
• Multi-scale and multi-physics computational analysis of microstructured materials, manufacturing processes and biomedical applications; code development for advanced numerical schemes.
• Quantitative optical tomography and diagnostics; laser safety.
• Biomedical measurements and physiological monitoring in sports.
• Functional tissue-engineering bioreactors
• Tissue engineering of vascular grafts and heart valves
• Development of biohybrid lung and left ventricular assist devices
• Computational and in vitro assessment of haemodynamic function, durability and haemocompatibility of vascular grafts, stents and heart-valve prostheses