At the Department we provide a dynamic environment combining traditional academic excellence with an innovative attitude, and we are organised to respond to new themes and initiate multidisciplinary research. 

 

The collective expertise of the department is that of surface engineering, with specific research groups focusing on specialised sectors falling under the same umbrella. These sectors include: the development of surface engineering techniques for magnesium alloys used in orthotics and robotic devices specifically for persons with mobility problems; duplex surface treatments for biomedical applications; hybrid organic-inorganic silica-based coatings for corrosion protection of metals; sol-gel hydroxyapatite and fluoroapatite coatings as bioresorbable coatings for metallic implants; sol-gel alumina thin films for optical and corrosion protection of fused silica glass; laser and shot peening of metals; surface engineering of biomaterials using anodising; diffusion treatments and PVD + CVD for enhanced degradation control and improved functionality; development of coatings with increased photocatalytic sensitivity to UV as well as visible radiation and intended for the treatment of grey water; development of duplex-hybrid treatments for light metal alloys intended for devices in the aerospace, sports, and biomedical sectors.

Other research areas include: the development of Fe-based biodegradable alloys for orthopaedic applications, the development of a novel hip joint replacement with a radical change in design, carbon-based nanomaterials, in particular, graphene and graphene oxide; development of magnetic materials intended for sensor applications in the transport domain and property optimisation of austempered ductile iron.