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Advanced Materials

The MPLS Division conducts research in functional materials; materials engineered to perform specific tasks through their electrical, magnetic, optical, thermal, or chemical properties. From energy storage and quantum technologies, to healthcare, clean energy, and computing, MPLS researchers develop new materials that advance science and industry.

Materials

Multidisciplinary teams across departments including Materials, Physics, Chemistry, and Engineering are working to understand, characterise and synthesise these materials for solutions in areas ranging from energy, healthcare, electronics, and catalysis. Particular strengths include thin films, nanomaterials, photovoltaics, and materials for energy storage. MPLS contributes to national programmes such as the Faraday Institution battery research and the Royce Institute for advanced materials.

Current initiatives include:

  • The National Thin‑Film Cluster Facility (NTCF): Launched in 2022 within the Department of Physics, the NTCF is a UK‑wide EPSRC- and Wolfson Foundation-funded facility that enables the controlled fabrication of advanced multilayer functional materials under ultra-high vacuum. It supports research in perovskites, organic semiconductors, and metal oxides for applications in solar energy, optoelectronics, and display technologies.
  • Centre for Energy Materials Research (CEMR): Formally opened in 2023 in Oxford's Department of Materials, the CEMR, in collaboration with the Faraday Institution and Royce Institute, focuses on electrochemical materials for next-generation energy storage. Research encompasses solid-state batteries, electrolyte interfaces, and scalable manufacturing, underpinned by inert-atmosphere fabrication and characterisation facilities.
  • Henry Royce Institute Partnership: Oxford is the lead partner for the electrochemical systems theme within the Henry Royce Institute, a national institute with £200M+ investment. Royce provides access to open‑access facilities for characterisation, fabrication, and testing across electronics, quantum materials, and superconductors, while also supporting training and proof-of-concept projects.
  • Oxford Advanced Materials Network (OxAMN): Launched in April 2025, OxAMN brings together researchers, industry partners, and policymakers to advance work in advanced materials. The network spans the Departments of Materials, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Earth Sciences, and Mathematical Institute, focusing on sustainable materials solutions for energy systems, biomedical devices, smart composites, and clean technologies.