MCMM
Manufacturing & Characterisation of Materials & Microsystems
The rising demand for high-performance materials and precision machines necessitates urgent action to reduce carbon footprints and resource depletion. The Manufacturing & Characterisation of Materials & Microsystems Centre (MCMM) drives research into energy-efficient fabrication of sustainable materials, surfaces, spatial structures, and multi-material microdevices with molecular precision and high functional integration. MCMM focuses on rare element alternatives, energy-efficient manufacturing, durability, and material reuse. Expanding its expertise, the center advances innovations in extreme-condition materials, high-performance metamaterials, and nanoscale manufacturing.
Infrastructure and User Services
The MCMM Centre is a cutting-edge facility supporting advanced research in materials science and microsystems engineering. It offers specialized infrastructure for manufacturing, characterization, and testing of next-gen materials. Powder-based production is enabled through Spark Plasma Sintering for rapid, controlled densification.
Micro- and nano-fabrication is supported by a Focused Ion Beam system, allowing precise structural modifications at microscopic scales. For metal component manufacturing, the centre features Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), Laser Beam Welding, robotic welding, and Binder Jet Printing—key for fabricating complex metal structures for industrial and scientific use.
The facility also houses pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical labs, alongside powder atomization systems, enabling new material synthesis and recycling of critical resources from end-of-life products.
Advanced 3D printing techniques include two-photon lithography, picolitre droplet inkjet printing, stereolithography, digital light processing, and fused deposition modeling. Ultra-fine 2D structuring is achieved with femtosecond laser cutting, and nanoimprint lithography supports detailed 2.5D replication.
Existing characterization tools include XRF, EPMA, EDX, Auger, XPS, Micro-Raman, SEM, EBSD, CSLM, XRD, AFM, and fluorescence microscopy. Testing capabilities include mechanical evaluation under extreme conditions, thermomechanical fatigue, corrosion resistance, and physical property analysis. Future expansions include a multi-material metal Aconity 3D printer for stress-critical applications, the Nanoscribe Quantum X Bio for complex biomedical work, and an Atom Probe for atomic-scale mapping and analysis. This integrated platform enables innovation in material design, performance, and sustainability.
Examples/description of the type of research
The MCMM Centre leads innovative research at the intersection of materials science, advanced manufacturing, and sustainability. It supports the development of high-performance materials, energy-efficient production, and precision microfabrication. Researchers focus on next-generation materials for extreme environments, lightweight structures, and sustainable alternatives to scarce or critical elements.
A key theme involves materials for energy systems, including high-temperature alloys, thermoelectric compounds, and solid-state batteries. This work enhances efficiency, conductivity, and durability through tailored composition, microstructure, and processing. The Centre also develops recycling and circular economy strategies, enabling the recovery of valuable resources and extending material life through advanced reuse and remanufacturing.
MCMM fosters breakthroughs in micro- and nanoscale manufacturing, especially in metamaterials, biomaterials, and functional surfaces. Researchers design and fabricate sustainable components with engineered mechanical, optical, and electronic properties. Multi-material, high-precision fabrication supports innovations in microdevices for aerospace, medical, and electronic systems.
Research into structural integrity targets fatigue, fracture, and wear resistance in additively manufactured and nanostructured materials, advancing lightweight, durable solutions for aerospace, automotive, and industry. Additional work addresses corrosion and degradation, supporting the design of self-healing materials and protective coatings for harsh environments like defense and nuclear sectors. Through integrated manufacturing and characterization capabilities, the MCMM Centre accelerates sustainable materials innovation across science and industry.
How to access the infrastructure
The MCMM Centre will follow an open access policy, granting infrastructure access based on scientific excellence, originality, and societal relevance. Interested users contact the centre, engaging with scientific staff to develop a research plan evaluated against state-of-the-art literature. If approved, a formal quotation is prepared, addressing financial, management, and intellectual property aspects. Research is scheduled to balance user needs, with experiments conducted by MCMM staff or qualified external users. Analysis and reporting are done collaboratively. Availability for external users varies by equipment, ranging from 10% to 70%, with high-demand tools requiring careful scheduling.