Nanoscience and nanotechnology

How can we create advanced materials for future technologies?

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Elucidating material properties at the molecular and atomic scale allows us to design novel materials and create new nanoscale devices.

Our understanding is being translated into solar energy harvesting technologies, photonics and semiconductor quantum devices for ultra-secure communication as well as new polymers and other compounds for industry and healthcare.

Expertise

We have a total of £19 million in grant income in this area. This success is mediated by world-class facilities and an interconnected network of interdisciplinary institutes and centres including:

Polymer Centre

Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures

Quantum Centre

Study opportunities

Polymer Chemistry MSc

Postgraduate taught

September 2024 start
1 year Full-time

On this specialist course in polymer science and engineering, learn how polymers are made and behave, how important polymer-based products are developed and how to use cutting-edge techniques to create new advanced materials. You'll develop specialist knowledge you can apply across many industries.

Quantum Photonics and Nanomaterials MSc(Res)

Postgraduate taught

September 2024 start
1 year Full-time

Understand the quantum information systems that promise to revolutionise the modern world. You'll learn the concepts behind the next generation of technology, and the lab skills that will help to make it a reality.

News and features

Cutting the cost of solar energy with spray-on perovskite cells

A new generation of spray-on solar cells has the potential to increase the efficiency and cut the costs of renewable energy technology.

5 November 2018

Graphic of binary code wrapped around a sphere

Faster photons could enable total data security

Researchers at the University of Sheffield have solved a key puzzle in quantum physics that could help to make data transfer totally secure.

17 July 2018

Researchers edge closer to functioning quantum computer

Scientists may be one step closer to building a large scale quantum computer thanks to new findings from researchers at the University of Sheffield.

2 May 2018

Dr Alastair Buckley, Dr James Kingsley and Professor David Lidzey

UK's highest business accolade awarded to Sheffield physicists

Ossila Limited, a company pioneered by physicists at the University of Sheffield, has been awarded one of the highest accolades given to UK businesses.

25 April 2018

Beyond graphene: 2D materials and the future of electronics

Researchers from Sheffield and Manchester are leading in the exploration of two-dimensional materials for use in photonics, following a new £1.2m grant funded by the Engineering and Sciences Research Council.

16 October 2017

Science at Sheffield

Science at Sheffield