Multifunctional Materials & Composites (MMC) Laboratory

The MMC Lab in the Department of Engineering Science at Oxford is led by Professor Jin-Chong Tan. Our research interests are centred on the thermo-mechanical and physico-chemical behaviour of advanced engineering materials, ranging from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and nanocomposites, to 3D fibre networks, bespoke membranes and smart multifunctional coatings, amongst others.

We design, develop, and engineer next-generation materials targeting a wide range of functional and structural applications, underpinning current and future challenges in energy, environmental sustainability and healthcare.

Our approach involves the application of cutting-edge experimental techniques, such as nanoindentation, atomic force microscopy, tomography, spectroscopy and electron microscopy, in combination with theoretical modelling (finite-element and quantum mechanical calculations) enabled by state-of-the-art supercomputers.

We have strong links with the Diamond Light Source synchrotron and ISIS Neutron Spallation Source at Harwell, both of which large science facilities in the UK. Our lab constitutes the Solid Mechanics and Materials Engineering Group in the Department of Engineering Science at Oxford.